PRESS RELEASES & PHOTOS
Download Word DocSt. Petersburg Boat Show and Strictly Sail™ Features Entertaining and Educational Seminars for Sailors and Power Boaters
ST. PETERSBURG, FL (Nov. 5, 2008) --The St. Petersburg Boat Show and Strictly Sail, the Gulf Coast’s new super show, includes a variety of more than 70 stand-out seminars that cover all facets of the sailing and boating lifestyles, from the magic of discovering exotic new ports around the world, to the must-have knowledge of staying safe and healthy at sea.
All 70 seminars are held throughout the four-day boating festival running from Dec. 4-7, 2008 at the Progress Energy Center for the Arts Mahaffey Theater Yacht Basin and Albert Whitted Park. Boater’s World is presenting The St. Petersburg Boat Show and Strictly Sail™ sponsored by Mercedes Benz and co-sponsored by Marina Pez Vela. The Gulf Coast’s largest show is now even bigger—showcasing the very best in boating and sailing with a fleet of 200+ power boats and 50 sailboats displayed on land and in a stunning waterfront marina.
Entertaining and educational seminars are included in the price of show admission and are held in three air-conditioned Seminar Tents. The full schedule of seminars is posted at www.showmanagement.com. Respected experts and skippers, best-selling boating authors and world cruisers will share their fascinating tales of sailing adventure and their expert advice about the boating lifestyle.
Among the highlights are:
• A Family Sails Around the World-Have you ever dreamt of just packing up the spouse and kids and sailing around the world? Global adventurer Pam Wall did just that with her husband and two small children, following their dream of seeing the world from the deck of their 39-foot sloop. Seeing the Walls’ journey will make you want to cast off today. Seminar Times: Friday, Dec. 5 at 11:45 a.m; Wall also gives seminars on Hurricane Preparation While Cruising on Thurs., Dec. 4 at 3:30 p.m. and Good Ideas for Offshore Equipment on Sat., Dec. 6 at 1:00 p.m. and Cruising the Bahamas on Sat., Dec. 6 at 3:30 p.m.
Sunk and Stranded: How Two Women Saved Their Boat on a Remote Atoll-The unthinkable happened to sailors Leslie Brown, 48 and Joy Smith, 66. Their boat hit a reef in Papua New Guinea and sank in five minutes. Hear the dramatic story of how, in four days, the pair managed to patch up the hull of their boat, kedge her off the reef and then refloat her. Brown and Smith, both accomplished sailors, mix valuable know-how and tips into their riveting, real-life story of successfully dealing with daunting physical and cultural challenges in a remote part of the world. Seminar Times: Friday, Dec. 5 at 3:30 p.m.; Saturday, Dec. 6 at 6 p.m.; Sunday, Dec. 7 at 2:15 p.m.
• “Sea Realism”-author of “Sailing Grace” shares seven years of lessons learned—Critically praised author John Otterbacher describes his compelling story of how two years into preparing for an ocean voyage with his family, he suddenly experiences the pressure of an elephant stepping on the center of his chest. After rushing to the hospital, he’s diagnosed with severe coronary disease. Yet, despite his medical condition, Otterbacher and his wife decide to continue with their plans to sail the world’s oceans with their family. His seminar will detail his struggle to rebuild his health and his family’s dramatic Atlantic crossing in their sailboat, Grace.
Seminar Times: Thurs., Dec. 4 at 2:15 p.m.; Friday, Dec. 5 at 6 p.m.; Sat., Dec. 6 at 4:45 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 7 at 11:45 a.m.
• Live Healthy-Cruise Longer-Fitness and aerobic instructor Kim Hess is the author of Yoga Onboard, a guide for cruisers and live-aboards that shows you how to develop or adapt a healthy yoga routine to your boating lifestyle. Join Hess for a session of cockpit yoga that explores the creative options available to maintain and enhance your health as you cruise.
Seminar Times: Thurs., Dec. 4 at 6 p.m.; Friday, Dec. 5 at 4:45 p.m.; Sat., Dec. 6 at 11:45 a.m.; Sun, Dec. 7 at 1 p.m.
Explore spectacular new ideas for cruising in Tampa, Bay, Florida, the U.S. and the Caribbean with expert skippers and cruisers who will share their travel expertise and adventures in these seminars:
• Reefs and Wrecks of Tampa Bay-Capt. Sergio Atanes of S &I Charters, one of the largest charter companies on Florida’s West Coast, started fishing the waters of Tampa Bay when he was just four. Atanes, who hosts his Fishing Adventures radio show on 1340 AM radio on Wednesdays at 6 pm., will share his secrets for reeling in those large redfish in the shallow waters of Tampa Bay.
Seminar times: Thurs., Dec. 4 at 4:45 p.m. Friday, Dec. 5 at 1 p.m. Sat., Dec. 6 at 1 p.m.
• Exploring Florida’s Big Bend Coast-Captain Rick Rhodes’ multi-media presentation shows sailors and power boaters the spectacular beauty of the Florida’s Big Bend Coast, with fascinating trips up the Suwannee and Apalachicola Rivers.
Seminar Times: Thurs., Dec. 4 at 4:45 p.m.; Friday, Dec. 5 at 6 p.m. and Saturday, Dec. 6 at 2:15 p.m.
• Cruising the Eastern Caribbean-Liza Copeland presents a gorgeously illustrated discussion of all aspects of cruising the blue waters of the Eastern Caribbean, including boat requirements, weather advice and don’t-miss places and harbors to visit.
Seminar times: Saturday, Dec. 6 at 11:45 a.m. Copeland also presents Mediterranean Magic at Friday, Dec. 5 at 2:15 p.m. and How to; for Couples, for Cruising Offshore and More! at Thursday, Dec. 4 at 3:30 p.m.
In the how-to-arena, several seminar programs will help seasoned and beginning boaters brush up on their nautical skills. Scott “Sky” Smith, nationally known author of “Ultimate Boat Maintenance Projects” will review “What’s in Your Toolbox?” on Friday, Dec. 5 at 1 pm. He’ll also present seminars about basic boat maintenance (Sunday, Dec. 7 at 11:45 a.m.); buying and chartering boats (Saturday, Dec. 6 at 6 p.m.); and when and why to do a survey (Friday, Dec. 5 at 6 p.m.).
“Every boat owner needs to be prepared to do basic maintenance on their boat,” says Smith. ”But like a professional mechanic, owners don’t need to invest in a giant roller tool box packed with enough equipment to tackle every known repair. However, there is a minimum number of tools an owner needs. This seminar will highlight a few basic items that every owner should own, carry and know how to use. Whether it is a light bulb or lifeline repair, with the correct tools and basic knowledge, almost any owner can get it done.”
Other marine know-how seminars include:
• How to Select the Best Boat for You
• Safety at Sea with the Marine SSB-The Basics
• Basic Diesel Engine Maintenance and Operation
• Hurricane Preparation
• Power and GPS Navigation
• Practical Celestial Navigation
• Good Ideas for Offshore Cruising Equipment
• Anchoring Techniques and Hurricane Moorings
• Electrical Troubleshooting & Juggling
• The Cruising Computer
• Marine Weather Interpretation Skills
Back to Press Releases