"At every show, I monitor the reactions of two groups very carefully: the exhibitors and the showgoers," said Scot West, Executive Director of show producer Sail America. "Exhibitors were very pleased with this first-year show, and the consumers were nothing less than thrilled to have a sailboat show in their own backyard. . . All the signs point to a very bright future for this new show."

The first NY/NJ SAIL EXPOŽ was held Thursday, September 25 to Sunday, September 28 at New Jersey`s Liberty Landing Marina in Jersey City. A total of 170 exhibitors from the United States, Canada, Europe, and Asia attended. The new show was developed by Sail America after the sailing industry expressed the desire for an all-sail show that would connect them with consumers in the New York metropolitan region.

For a first-year show, Thursday`s opening-day crowd was stronger than many expected; Saturday`s traffic onboard the large boats at dockside had dealers doubling up on traffic duty.

"We had a lot of traffic control to do onboard our 4400 on Saturday afternoon," said Michael Tamulaites, Director of Sales and Marketing for Tartan Yachts and C&C Yachts, "and throughout the show I felt we had the right people onboard: buyers asking some very good questions."

For Cutter Smith, Market Development Manager for Hunter Marine, the sales activity at their bigger boats along the docks and, especially, at their display of trailerable models was what they had hoped for. "We came to this show feeling very optimistic," said Smith, "and the show met our expectations."

For Offshore Sailing School, SAIL EXPO became an historic landmark. According to CEO Doris Colgate, Offshore sold a record number of courses at the show, the highest number ever sold at a boat show in the company`s 40-year history.

Exhibitors and showgoers alike praised the setting of the show. The view from the docks was dramatic, with a fleet of some 100 sailboats ranging 8 to 65 feet berthed amidst a panorama of the Manhattan skyline. Ferries coming over from Manhattan also deposited showgoers right onto the show docks.

"There is no doubt that this is the ideal spot and location to hold a show in the New York metropolitan area," said Tom Nye of UK Sailmakers.

Show organizers developed special attractions for all levels of sailors, and learn-to-sail opportunities and seminars given by experts and celebrity racers rounded out the display of boats and gear.

America`s Cup champion Russell Coutts flew in from his Alinghi home base to give a presentation on how the Cup was won to a packed audience, and Around Alone class winner Brad Van Liew took showgoers onboard his Open 50. On the Discover Sailing dock, tall ships and a fleet of daysailers and coastal cruisers were all kept busy taking showgoers out for half-hour introductions to sailing. A special Saturday program called Learn to Sail in a Day, taught by Offshore Sailing School instructors and sponsored by Hunter Marine, dre