While many local boating enthusiasts have put their crafts away for the long winter, here's a reminder that the next boating season is not too far off. The National Boat Show is about to get underway at the Jacob Javits Convention Center, just a short distance from Penn Station. The MTA Long Island Rail Road's special National Boat Show Package, good from Dec. 27 through Jan. 4, allows LIRR customers to save on travel and admission to the boat show. In addition, a free shuttle bus operates between Penn Station and the Javits Center for LIRR customers attending the show.

The LIRR's special package ticket includes a $15 boat show admission plus a substantial discount on round-trip train fare. The LIRR's Boat Show package prices are: Queens, Nassau and Western Suffolk Counties (Zone 1-12): Adults $21, Eastern Suffolk County (Zone 14): Adults $27. The child, ages 6-11, package fare is $6.50.

Package tickets may be used on trains arriving at Penn Station after 9:30 a.m. weekdays and any time on weekends. The return portion of the ticket is valid up to 1 a.m. on the day following the date on the face of the ticket. The LIRR's package ticket must be purchased in advance at any ticket office or from any new LIRR touch screen ticket vending machine. Package tickets are not sold on trains.

LIRR commuters heading to the show can save too. Weekly and monthly ticket holders can purchase a $15 boat show admission ticket for $11 at Penn Station ticket windows by presenting a valid commutation ticket.

The Javits Convention Center is located at 11th Avenue and 34th Street, three blocks west of Penn Station. A free shuttle bus will operate between Penn Station and the Javits Convention Center for LIRR customers. The bus will depart regularly starting one hour before the show opens and returns every half hour until one hour after closing. The bus will leave from the northwest corner of 7th Avenue and 31st Street. LIRR customers must show the bus driver their LIRR Boat Show Package ticket or Boat Show admission ticket prior to boarding the bus.

Boat show times are: Weekdays - Noon-8 p.m.; Saturdays, 10 a.m.-8 p.m.; Sundays: 11 a.m.-6 p.m.; New Year's Eve: 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Schedule information is available from the LIRR's 24-hour Travel Information Center in Suffolk County at 631-231-LIRR, in Nassau County at 822-LIRR or in New York City at 718-217-LIRR. The Travel Information Center's TDD telephone number for the hearing impaired is 718-558-3022. Customers can also consult the LIRR's website at www.mta.info.