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Newport, September 2009…Besides seeing the largest selection of new boats and boating products in the Northeast, visitors to this year’s Newport International Boat Show will have a unique chance to get an inside-look at the workings of one of the world’s most famous sailboat. All four days of the Show -- Thursday, Sept. 17th to Sunday, Sept. 20th in Newport, Rhode Island -- attendees will have the opportunity to go aboard the PUMA Avanti, the boat used for training the PUMA crew for the Volvo Ocean Race. Crew members, including Ken Read, PUMA’s skipper, will be on hand to show off the boat and talk about the race. “This is a must-see for all boaters!” says Nancy Piffard, Show Director “We are very excited to have the PUMA Avanti docked at our show this year. The boat will be open to all attendees and they will also have an opportunity to win an official Volvo Ocean Race commemorative book…”Spanish Castle to White Night, The Official Book of the 2008/2009 Volvo Ocean Race.” This $50 coffee-table book and DVD set is being provided by Sailing World magazine. They have the exclusive license to sell the book in this country.”
The Volvo Race is 37,000 miles around the earth and PUMA finished second. Newport was it’s home base throughout the entire shake-down period. It raised a huge amount of interest in the area and around the world. “This will give adults and kids alike to see what the boat really looks like…above and below deck.” says Ken Read “AVANTI did the 2007-2008 Volvo Race and is very similar to the PUMA. It gave us the training we needed.”
One of the four largest in-water boat shows in the country, the Newport International Boat Show features both power and sail…including a large in-water area, a “Multihull Lagoon”, “Downeast Boat Basin”, “TrawlerPort” and boats and boating equipment on land in and around tents. With over 14 acres of land and water display space stretching from the Newport Yachting Center to Newport Harbor Hotel & Marina along America’s Cup Avenue, there are more than 800 exhibitors with over 700 boats ranging in size from 16 to 85 feet on display, along with kayaks, inflatables, equipment and accessories plus services, such as financing, insurance, storage, surveying, repair and maintenance. Also, there will be demonstrations, seminars, workshops and book signings.
Thursday, September 17th is VIP Day with much of the boating press and the trade visiting the Show and buyers being treated to special attention by the exhibitors. Judging for the Show’s Newport For New Products program -- sponsored by the publishers of Cruising World, MotorBoating and Sailing World magazines -- takes place on Thursday with the “Best New Sailboat”, “Best New Powerboat” and “Best New Boating Product” being announced on Friday. Plus, Friday ends with a cocktail party benefiting the official charity of the Show, the International Yacht Restoration School’s Joyce Selig Memorial Scholarship Fund. Tickets are available through the Show’s web site and IYRS.
Show hours are Thursday to Saturday 10 AM to 6 PM and Sunday 10 AM to 5 PM. Advance discount tickets are available on line thru September 16th. Tickets purchased at the show on Thursday, VIP Day, are $27.00 ($24 on-line). On Friday, Saturday and Sunday the tickets are $18.00 ($15 on-line). Friday only is Military and Newport County Residents’ Day with tickets half price with proper ID. Children under 12 are free every day when accompanied by an adult. There will be limited VIP parking on the Show grounds and free shuttle bus service will run from the Easton Beach parking lot all four days. For more information, call 401-846-1115 or 800-582-7846 or visit our web site at www.newportboatshow.com.
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