CHICAGO — The Boat Across America Tour is gaining momentum before it even leaves the dock, which it will do from Chelsea Harbor at Surfside 3 marina in New York City on June 5. There are now nine Discover Boating Events scheduled for the tour that will be held in key locations along the 24-day, 5,400-mile course.

"We want to create a festive atmosphere where prospective boaters can come out and have a good time and see how easy it is to get into boating," says Discover Boating Project manager Steve Tadd, who will staff the Discover Boating Center to answer everyone's questions about boating. "We will be providing free demo boat rides (where possible) and snacks at the events to encourage people to come out and have a relaxing day out on the water." Jim Carlin, president of Boaters Against Drunk Driving, will captain the Boat Across America, an Albemarle 247 Cuddy Express. He will make an appearance at each event to take part in media interviews and promote the keys to boating fun and safety:

Make sure everyone on board wears an appropriate life jacket
Know and follow the rules of the waterways
Take a boater education course
Be or designate a sober boater

The Tour will follow the Great Loop after departing New York?heading west through the Great Lakes, south down the Mississippi River, through the Gulf of Mexico back to the Atlantic Ocean and back to New York.

Tour Schedule

DateLocation
June 5New York City
June 6Oswego, N.Y.
June 7Niagara Falls, N.Y.
June 8Cleveland
June 9Mackinaw City, Mich.
June 10Grand Haven, Mich.
June 11Chicago
June 12Peoria, Ill.
June 13St. Louis
June 14Memphis
June 15Baton Rouge, La.
June 16New Orleans
June 17Mobile, Ala.
June 18Apalachicola, Fla.
June 19St. Petersburg, Fla.
June 20Daytona Beach, Fla.
June 21Isle of Hope, Ga.
June 22Charleston, S.C.
June 23Wrightsville Beach, N.C.
June 24Norfolk, Va.
June 25Baltimore
June 26Atlantic City, N.J.
June 27Long Island, N.Y.