Excitement Builds For 31st Annapolis Sailboat Extravaganza

Once a year, the annual sailboat show in Annapolis transforms the self-proclaimed "sailing capital of the world" into a bustling marketplace attracting thousands of avid sailors eager to inspect the sailing industry's new lineup of boats, products and services. This year's 31st edition of the United States Sailboat Show fills the Annapolis City Dock and Harbor from October 5 - 9, 2000, and promises to be the largest and best attended in recent years. This now classic and internationally acclaimed event is the nation's largest and oldest in-water sailboat show. It will host every leading American manufacturer, as well as major builders from around the world.

The in-water display encompasses an unusually high number of boats making their debut in Annapolis. Cabo Rico will introduce their Cabo Rico 36; Dufour Yachts USA will be showcasing their Gib'Sea 33; and Manta Enterprises will be exhibiting their Manta 42. Among other premiering boats are NOAH Corporation's Fast Passage 40, Saga Marine's Saga 43 CLS and VPM's Atoll 50. Also on display will be an updated British Dayboat called "Small" made by William Clements Boat Builders. Some of the brand new marine products will include the XT Givens Buoy Life Raft; the Lumbar Support Pillow from Sport-A-Seat Paradise Company; the Piranha Lift System from TNT Marine Equipment, LLC; Trillium Windmills Inc.'s W.G. 503 Rutland Windcharger; and the Parachute Sea Anchor from Fiorentino Para Anchor.

This year both the Netherlands Marine Industry and the British Marine Industry Federation will incorporate a number of maritime companies into their exhibits, giving an overview of their countries' marine enterprises. The Dutch exhibit will include in-water boats as well as other marine products. In addition, companies from France, Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, and Scandinavia will participate with their 2000 designs.

Expanded in-water space will accommodate sailboats as large as the W-Class Yacht Company's W-76, Imagine Yacht's 58 foot Tayana 58 Deck Salon and Lagoon America's Lagoon 57 Catamaran. The multihull fleet at this year's show brings together more multihulls than any other sailboat show.

On-land displays cover such trailerable boats as the collection from Hobie consisting of the new 16' X 8' Hobie Super Wave and the 20' X 8' Hobie Fox. In addition, show attendees will find the latest in marine equipment, accessories and services in the numerous large "circus" tents throughout the show grounds.

Once again, on each day of the Show, Cruising World Magazine will sponsor seminars. Leading sailmakers will go head-to-head in Melges 24s in the highly competitive Dupont Sailmakers Challenge and Vanguard Yachts will offer free dinghy rides for children. In addition Chesapeake Regional Accessible Boating (CRAB), in cooperation with Lin and Larry Pardey, will be offering tours of the Pardey's boat "Taleisin" for a small donation to their organization.

The United States Sailboat Show opens Thursday, October 5, 2000, Trade/Press/VIP Day. The hours are 10:00 am to 6:00 pm and tickets are $25.00. General admission days are October 6-9, 2000 with tickets for adults $13.00 and children 12 and under $6.00. The hours are 10:00 am to 7:00 pm on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, and 10:00 am to 6:00 pm on Monday, Columbus Day. Visitors driving to Annapolis can take Maryland Rt. 50 to Exit #24 (Rowe Boulevard) and follow the signs for show parking and shuttle.

Posted: 10-4-2000