A familiar sight every January is seeing boats being towed down the Westside of Manhattan and into the Javits Center for New York’s Boat Show.
From Wednesday through Sunday boaters and anglers can beat the post-holiday blues and gear up for summer with a lot of new attractions and boats that should interest both new and lifelong boaters. On-the-water enthusiasts and those just discovering the boating lifestyle can shop and compare boat brands to find competitive deals on everything from luxury motor yachts and sport fishers to performance boats, sailboats, and thousands of marine accessories.
You can meet and greet the Keszey brothers of Discovery Channel’s hit show, Swamp Brothers. You can learn how to get started in boating and make the most of your time on the water at the Welcome to the Water Center, and you can perfect or learn how to get started in the new craze of paddle boarding at the Paddlepalooza.
Do-it-yourselfers or boat owners interested in maintaining, repairing or upgrading their boat or engine can head to Fred’s Shed DIY Seminars & Interactive Learning Center for practical, professional advice. Free daily seminars and talk-show format clinics cover a variety of topics that include demos and question/answer sessions.
Beginners and experienced boaters can take their skills to the next level with a variety of three-hour interactive workshops offered by The Annapolis School of Seamanship Jan. 6-8 from 9 a.m.-noon before the show opens each day. You can learn the basic tricks to maneuver a boat in close quarters, take in a demo to learn how to operate and maintain marine diesel fuel systems, participate in hands — on demonstrations for anchoring and line handling, and get a look at some modern navigational electronics.
Cost is $85 per person and includes two days of show admission, a three-hour intensive workshop, instructional takeaway items, and a $25 gift certificate for classes at Annapolis School of Seamanship.
New and experienced boaters will become more confident behind the helm at the Power Boat Docking Challenge. This interactive experience pits show participants against one another as they compete against the clock. Participants will steer and dock a four-foot, twin engine, remote-controlled powerboat from an actual life-size boat helm then down a 20ft pool into a slip at a marina.
For all the details and scheduling and how to sign up for the Seamanship workshop go to http://www.NYBoatShow.com.
ken.moran@nypost.com