If you’re planning to sail south to warmer climes, the first thing you’ll learn is that there’s a lot to learn—about passage planning, about preparing your boat, about the exotic places you want to visit, about staying in touch with home. SAIL’s Sailing South seminar—taking place on Sunday during the Annapolis Boat Show next month—will help answer those questions, and more.

We’ve assembled a panel of expert cruisers who have put in the hard miles, whether it’s down the Intracoastal Waterway or offshore to the Bahamas and Caribbean, and want to share their hardwon experience with you.

Jimmy Cornell needs no introduction to sailors—he’s the father of the cruising rally and has sailed more than 200,000 ocean miles. He’ll talk about the delights of the Caribbean and how best to get down to the islands safely.

No one knows more about boat systems than Nigel Calder, author of numerous technical books, including the Boatowner’s Mechanical and Electrical Manual, and a vastly experienced ocean cruiser in his own right. He’ll discuss ways of setting up your boat’s energy systems to cope with long periods of sailing off the grid.

Filmmakers Paul and Sheryl Shard, renowned for their Distant Shores TV series, have spent many months in the Bahamas and want to share with you their tips to ensure a successful passage to and from the islands and the best places to spend the winter there, whether in the Abacos or the Exumas.

Looking at taking the inside route south? Tom Hale, co-leader of two of SAIL’s Snowbird rallies down the ICW, will share his extensive experience of this iconic waterway and tell you how to make your journey down it one you’ll never forget.

Delivery skipper and electronics maven Dave Skolnick knows full well the importance of communications when you’re away from home, and will advise you on how to set up the best type of system for your boat and your budget, whether you’re heading offshore or going down the ICW.

Carolyn Shearlock of theboatgalley.com is well known to sailing gourmets and gourmands alike for her onboard culinary expertise, honed during many years of cruising in the Caribbean and Central America. Carolyn will be hosting a breakout session on the non-technical side of boat preparation—keeping the cruising crew fed and watered.

You’ll have a chance to mingle with the speakers over lunch, and there will be an informal Q&A session at the end of the seminar. Space is limited, so sign up today at sailmagazine.com/sailingsouth.