ATLANTA — Visitors to the 49th annual Atlanta Boat Show (www.atlantaboatshow.com) can get the rare opportunity to board and compare boat options side-by-side with unprecedented bargains from the region’s top dealers, and take advantage of show specials on the latest marine accessories and electronics.

Billing itself as the Southeast’s premier boat show, it cruises into the Georgia World Congress Center Jan. 13-16. Besides the boats, there are plenty of fun attractions for the entire family, along with boating, fishing and sailing courses for novices and experienced captains looking to hone their skills.

"The Atlanta Boat Show is not only the ideal place to compare brands and get a great bargain, but also an annual tradition where families and friends can enjoy some nautical fun while preparing for boating season," show manager Larry Berryman said. "And with hundreds of products to choose from for every lifestyle and budget, everyone is sure to be inspired to discover why life is truly better with a boat."

Features and attractions for the 2011 show include:

Affordability Pavilion – Back by popular demand, this area will showcase boats for those with smaller budgets, highlighting pricing options and displaying boats in all categories that can be financed for $250 per month or less.

Distortion Boarding – Extreme Rail Jam – Boating and outdoor enthusiasts who are looking for adventure can see the nation’s top riders unload a variety of extreme boarding tricks and stunts over a 30,000 gallon landing pool. Powered by the "Grinch Winch" — a portable towing device that pulls riders at speeds of up to 25 mph — pros from Distortion Boarding, Malibu, Mastercraft and Ski Nautique will perform daily riding expositions.

Let’s Go Fishing Center — "Reel" fun for everyone from aspiring anglers to fishing fanatics, the Let’s Go Fishing Center offers everyone a chance to find out what’s new in the world of fishing with daily free seminars, and hone their angling skills with live demos.

Daily Fishing Seminars – Watch local pros demonstrate casting and fishing techniques during daily seminars covering both saltwater and freshwater fishing.

Bass Tub – Enjoy a rare underwater view and watch fish react to and strike different lures and bait in a 5,000 gallon aquarium, stocked with native species.

FREE Kids Trout Fishing – There’s no limit to the fun! Introduce kids to fishing at the catch-and-release pond, where young anglers can fish for live trout. It’s all free for children 12 and under each day of the show.

Miss GEICO – Miss GEICO is back! One of the world’s fastest offshore racing boats, powered with the same turbine engines that flew missions in the first Gulf War and able to reach speeds of more than 185 mph, will dazzle any boating enthusiast with a need for speed.

Pre-Show Shopping – The Atlanta Boat Show’s newest online offering allows attendees to pre-shop the 2011 show for the greatest deals on the newest boats by visiting AtlantaBoatShow.com. Show goers can plan ahead and search boats by brand, model and more, schedule dealer appointments onsite or at the dealership, plus visitors will have the chance to receive free tickets to the show through select participating dealerships.

Sailing Seminars – New for 2011! Perfect for both new and seasoned sailors, Windsong Sailing Academy will host a variety of free, daily educational sailing seminars. Click here to view the complete schedule.

Tupolev 007, Russian Rescue Boat – During the Cold War arms buildup, the former Soviet Republic developed some pretty bizarre weapons, vehicles and boats that were never mass produced. This rescue boat was one of them. The Tupolev 007 is a can’t-miss. Reaching speeds of more than 150 mph, this rescue boat is powered by an MP14 aircraft fighter engine and is one of the three originally produced and the only one still in existence. Its estimated value is $2 million.