That was his response when 11-year-old Hunter McGowan (front, kneeling) found out that he won the boat he built! Each year at the Atlantic City Boat Show, Sea Quest Kids gives a boat to one of the kids who build 10-foot skiffs. This year, Hunter stood out from the crowd. A great example of what kids with special needs can do, Hunter didn't let epilepsy and ADHD stand in the way of building a Sea Quest 100. In fact, he built one of the best Sea Quest 100s that has ever been built -- doing a phenomenal job of lining up the parts and driving in the screws. He has great plans for his boat, which he named "Mother Ship." His sister, Riley, and Dad, Mike, also joined the fun.

When he started building the Sea Quest 100 on Saturday morning, Hunter said that he and a friend always wanted a boat. At home they've nailed boards to a fallen oak tree near a pond they go to and float it out to fish from it and go exploring.

Also on the scene on Saturday at the Sea Quest Kids booth were KBN Sea Action News reporters Danielle, Gina, and Charley Ciraolo. They were great ambassadors for boating and Sea Quest Kids. Manning the booth, overseeing sales, and cruising the show carrying the Sea Quest Kids colors, they were quite popular with show attendees and exhibitors alike!

Photo by Stacy McGowan, Hunter's Mom

Brigantine Postmaster Jeff Willson (left) and Atlantic City Postmaster Harry Headrick (right) presented a framed enlargement of the new Vintage Mahogany Speedboat commemorative stamps, introduced just a few days ago, to the co-producer of the boat show, Jerry Flaxman, at the Chris-Craft boat display at noon on Friday, September 7.

The Chris-Craft exhibit was chosen, because a 1954 Chris-Craft Racing Runabout, Duckers, is illustrated on one of the postage stamps. Owners William and Nancy Kehoe of Loomis, Calif., boat with her on Lake Tahoe and the Sacramento Delta. The 19-foot model features a split cockpit and gleaming deck hardware. With its 158-horsepower MBL engine, this craft can exceed 40 mph. Chris-Craft runabouts remain a popular model among classic boaters who enjoy their sporty performance.

Illustrated on the other stamps are: Frolic, a 1915 Hutchinson Brothers launch; Dispatch, a 1931 Gar Wood triple cockpit runabout; and Thunderbird, a 1939 Hacker-Craft commuter boat.

The stamps will be for sale throughout the show at the USPS booth, # 118.

Photo courtesy of USPS, MIchael Behringer

Who could not love boating on such a perfect day for the opening of the show! The sun was bright, the breezes were cool on the water, and the crowds were seriously looking at the over 700 boats on display. As things started winding down for the day at dusk, we captured a few memorable moments.

The show runs through Sunday. Saturday hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

If you've always wanted to own a boat but could never afford one, you'll be able to own a fleet of four for the price of First-Class Mail postage at the 2007 Atlantic City In-Water Power Boat Show. The just-released stamps, commemorating the long history of recreational boating, will be for sale throughout the show. Featured are four boats on a sheet of 12 stamps, showcasing the polished mahogany and gleaming chrome hardware that characterize the nation's historic wooden motorboats. Built by four different manufacturers, each vintage watercraft is still in use today:
• Frolic, a 1915 Hutchinson Brothers launch.
• Dispatch, a 1931 Gar Wood triple cockpit runabout.
• Thunderbird, a 1939 Hacker-Craft commuter boat.
• Duckers, a 1954 Chris-Craft Racing Runabout.

Special Stamp Dedication Ceremony at the USPS Booth (#123)
“We’re excited that the stamps are available to coincide with this year’s Atlantic City show,” says Atlantic City Postmaster Harry Headrick. Headrick, along with Brigantine Postmaster Jeff Willson will present a framed enlargement of the commemorative stamps to the Atlantic City In-Water Power Boat Show co-producers, Jay Silberman and Jerry Flaxman, at noon on Friday.

See more: http://www.usps.com/communications/newsroom/2007stamps/

Cruising for a new boat? Fishing for a great deal?

Don't miss the hottest, never-before-seen sport and motor yachts, sport fishing yachts, runabouts, walkarounds, center consoles and performance boats at this show. Incredible deals will be motoring in -- more than 700 boats, 16-70 feet in length. And they'll all be ready for you to board at Farley State Marina, adjacent to Trump Marina Hotel Casino, September 6-9. Many boats will be debuting here, because we're the first show of the fall season -- not just in the region but in the entire country. And, in fact, we're also the region’s biggest show.

Come see it on Thursday and Friday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Admission -- $20 for adults, $5 for children under 12 -- includes a one-year subscription to one of the following: Yachting, Motor Boating or Salt Water Sportsman magazine -- that's a $10 value. You can buy tickets here. Just go the boat show home page.

You'll see all of the biggest names: Beneteau, Cabo, Carver, Chaparral, Cruisers, Formula, Fountain, Grady-White, Ocean Yachts, Sea Ray, Silverton, Viking Yachts and Sports Cruisers, Wellcraft and many more.

The largest boat will be the sleek, sexy and sophisticated Viking 67 Sport Cruiser. Also making news this year are the fishing boats. Innovations abound, and many exhibitors will be previewing lines breaking new ground in performance.

Back again will be Sea Quest’s popular boat building for kids five years old through high school age. Even those with special needs can be part of the fun – learning how to build a 10-foot-long skiff.

While checking the latest styles and trends, you'll want to refuel at the Hooters food court; shop at the Marine Accessory Mart with cutting-edge marine equipment, accessories, supplies and technology; and check out the display of Hummer, the official vehicle of the Atlantic City In-Water Power Boat Show. A new feature on Friday morning will be the U.S. Post Office’s special presentation of the newly released recreational boating stamps.

This show is so big it's second only to Fort Lauderdale as the largest U.S. in-water power boat show. And it's a member of the prestigious International Federation of Boat Show Organizers.

Kids five years old through high school, including those with special needs, can grab a hammner, paintbrush and other kid-friendly tools to help build a 10-foot-long skiff complete with oars and paddles. The hands-on experience creates an interest in boating and teaches cooperation, team effort and how to be doers to get the job done. A program of Sea Quest Kids, known as the Little League for Fishing and Boating. Look for the big, colorful Sea Quest Kids bus.

Special Presentation of Newly Issued Boating Stamps
To celebrate the long history of recreational boating, the U.S. Postal Service just issued Vintage Mahogany Speedboat stamps. On them are photographs of a 1915 Hutchinson Brothers Launch, a 1931 Gar Wood triple cockpit runabout, a 1939 Hacker-Craft, and a 1954 Chris-Craft Racing Runabout. On Friday morning, the post office will make a special presentation of the new stamps. Don't miss it -- at the U.S. Postal Service exhibit.

Extensive on deck amenities are obvious the moment you step aboard. Aft sun pads conceal twin garages, which conveniently stow a tender and a personal watercraft. The teak planked cockpit revels in outdoor living with a wet bar, electric grill, refrigerator, lounges and table. A passerelle aids dockside boarding and safety.

The on deck salon is equally special. Climate controlled, the salon features push lounge seating and an entertainment system along with special privacy afforded by sliding polished stainless steel framed doors to the aft deck. An electrically operated roof brings the sun and stars aboard at your whim with the touch of a finger. The electrically adjusted helm seat provides the operator with perfect driving form and peerless visibility to all compass points. Additional helm area seating maximizes convenience for guests.

Below, three staterooms, including a full beam master suite are each served with a private head and stall shower delivering remarkable private accommodations and comfort. A fourth crew stateroom aft also is available. The galley is full featured and world class.

An exhaustive standard equipment list includes a laundry center, a 27.5 kW genset, high-speed rudders, and bow thrusters.

Length overall (LOA): 70' 2" (21.69 m)
Beam: 16' 11" (5.16 m)
Draft: 4' 6" (1.35 m)
Dry Weight (approximate): 73,854 lbs. (33,500 k)
Height above waterline*: 14' 6" (4.43 m)
Fuel Capacity: 1163 gals. (4,403 ltrs)
Water Capacity: 200 gals. (75.5 ltrs)

The show provides space for over 700 boats on land and in-water and over 200 booths in the marine marketplace, including a tent and walkway along the piers.

As the first major show of the fall show season, the Atlantic City In-Water Power Boat Show provides attendees the first chance to view the new year's models. Making it a must for both attendees and exhibitors alike.

The Atlantic City In-Water Power Boat Show is a member of the prestigious IFBSO "The World's Leading Boat Shows" Organization. Boat shows in Dusseldorf, Tokyo, Paris, Miami and Ft. Lauderdale also share membership in IFBSO.