Weekend Highlights

Vince Dooley, one of the winningest coaches in college football history, is coming to the Atlanta Boat Show on Saturday, January 17, to greet fans and sign his latest book, “Dooley's Play Book: The 34 Most Memorable Plays in Georgia Football History.” Twice named NCAA National Coach of the Year, Dooley spent 25 years as the head coach of the University of Georgia Bulldogs before retiring from active coaching to become the school’s athletic director for 15 years.   

Also on January, 17, baseball and boating fans alike can meet former Atlanta Brave Otis Nixon. Nixon, who played for the Braves from 1991-1993 and 1999, is an active boating enthusiast. On Sept. 26, 2009, Nixon and the Strikeout Foundation will host the second annual Fishing for Cancer Tournament. For more information, visit www.otisnixon.com.      
 

Catch up with Vince Dooley and Otis Nixon in the Score Atlanta Booth - number 206.

New Affordability Pavilion

Think owning a boat is out of your reach? Think again! When it comes to enjoyable ways to spend your leisure time, boating is for more affordable than you may realize. Be sure to stop by the lobby and check out this special showcase of boats you can own for less than $250 per month, including some of the latest models from Tige, Bayliner, Sea Ray, Malibu, Harris Pontoons and more. And when you compare the costs of boating to a single day at an amusement park or a trip to any major league game, you'll see that dollar for dollar, boating is really quite affordable. See how affordable boating can be when you compare it with other leisure activities! 

Visit the Budget Planner.

Unbelievable Giveaways

Cruise through the show lobby and sign up for your chance to win a 13' Boston Whaler Super Sport from Marine Max. This fully customizable boat is complete with a Mercury 40 HP four stroke engine and single axle trailer.

Congratulations to Mr. Roger Crummett who won the 13'' Boston Whaler Super Sport Boat.

Let's Go Fishing Center

Enjoy a day of fishing and fun at the Let's Go Fishing Center. This educational and entertaining exhibit promotes both freshwater and saltwater angling. National and local fishing pros will host hourly seminars covering the latest techniques, tackle and hot spots. Kids will love the free catch-and-release trout pond filled with hungry trout.

View seminar schedule

Miss GEICO Race Boat

No race boat has ever earned a coveted spot in the American Power Boat Association's legendary Hall of Champions - but that may change when this record-setting offshore catamaran finally hits the dry docks.

The 40-foot, turbine-powered Miss GEICO took the offshore racing scene by storm in the spring of 2006 and proceeded to demolish record after record and awe those unfortunate enough to race against her.

"I don't think the other big boats on the circuit knew what to expect," said driver Marc Granet. "Nobody had ever seen anything like it."
In its inaugural season, the Platinum cat dominated all three major racing tours - the Offshore Super Series, Super Boat International and the Offshore Performance Association - capturing three world championships and quickly becoming the crowd favorite from the sun-drenched waters of Miami to the wind-swept bays of the Great Lakes. "When we hit 180 mph, people couldn't believe it," Granet recalled. "Speeds that high were unheard of in offshore racing."

Miss GEICO returned the following year to set a new speed record from in Annapolis to Baltimore, covering the rough water course in 14 minutes and 7 seconds.

Green Boating Zone

Check out the latest environmentally friendly products the marine industry has to offer. Be the first to see cutting edge technology including, G3’s  “Green Machine” the Eagle 176 Electric Fishing Boat, Indmar’s ETX 5.7L  V-8 340 HP engine which reduces Carbon Monoxide emissions by 98% and is the first inboard marine engine to be C.A.R.B. certified. JC Pontoons will feature their NepToon 19 foot Electric boat with Torqueedo motor, perfect for the person who wants a luxury boating experience on an electric lake.

Boating Safety Classes

The US Coast Guard Office of Boating Safety, will be offering one hour classes commencing at 6:30 PM on Thursday, Friday and Saturday night in the show Lobby. 

The classes will focus on the latest technology available in life saving equipment for the boater. The classes are great for the general public as well as for individuals that need to present information to the public regarding boating safety. USCG Auxiliary or US Power Squadron individuals may earn BAT-PAK I certification by attending all three session:

Thursday, January 15 - Life Jackets/Inflatables - 6:30PM - 7:30PM
Who can wear them? Understand the difference in manual vs. automatic. Learn about Belt Packs and HIT technology. Children's Life Jacket regulations will also be discussed. We will exhibit other safety items recommended for your vessel i.e. ditch bags, inflatable throws, etc.

Friday, January 16 - State and Federal Boating Regulations - 6:30PM - 7:30PM
Understanding the Georgia and Federal Boating regulations. A member of the Georgia DNR will also be on hand.

Saturday, January 17 - Signaling - Visual Distress Signals and Electronics:- 6:30PM - 7:30PM
Presentation will focus on visual distress signals/regulations as well as EPIRB technology. Learn the difference between day and night signals. We will discuss EPIRB and P-EPIRBS, as well as touch on Digital Selective Call.
 

Sea Quest Kids Program

Sea Quest Kids is the largest boat building and water safety program for kids in the United States and will be at the Atlanta Boat Show. In two days or less, kids age five years and older, including all special needs kids, build their own 10-foot flat bottomed square ended scow-skiff, paddles, oars, mast, sail, sail rig, lee board, rudder system, and outboard motor bracket.

The kids get boating safety trained as they build the boats and then become part of an international network of kids that have all built their own boats and have organized groups (teams) with ongoing events. The events include sailing regattas, paddle and rowing races, fishing tournaments, overnight campouts and community service events.

Sailing Seminars... on the Boardwalk

Stop by the boat show boardwalk and sit in on a wide variety of sailing seminars. Daily seminars are presented by Windsong Sailing Academy and Blackbeard Sailing School.
Sailing Seminar Schedule.

Special Offer From the Atlanta Boat Show

Click here for a special discount ticket to the Georgia Aquarium www.georgiaaquarium.org/2009boatshow.aspx