Powerboaters, anglers, and those dreaming of the boating lifestyle—get ready, because October 3-6, City Dock, Annapolis will be transformed into a boater’s paradise for the Annapolis Powerboat Show.
Boat show season is an interesting time, because as most of us are lamenting the soon-to-be end of summer, we are also in giddy anticipation for one of the biggest boat shows of the year in our region. And that is always something to celebrate.
So, join us in welcoming the Annapolis Powerboat Show back to City Dock October 3-6! In this section we have all the details you need to plan your visit, whether you are a seasoned attendee focused on ‘what’s new,’ or a first timer looking for helpful tips on where to park, how to navigate the docks, and ticket options. We’ve got you covered.
During the show our team of writers, photographers, graphic designers, sales people, and more will be manning our booth (our usual spot along Ego Alley, Tent F6/F7) and walking the show. Out on the docks we’ll be shooting videos of the latest and greatest boats, and in our booth we’ll have the latest issues of SpinSheet, PropTalk, FishTalk, and PortBook. Please stop by and say hello, grab a magazine (or four), or simply hang out along the seawall with us. We love meeting our readers and can’t wait to welcome you to another amazing boat show.
For more information, visit annapolispowerboatshow.com, and stay tuned to this page as we will continue to add any updates. You can also sign up for our email list at proptalk.com/email-signup and follow us on Facebook and Instagram for updates, as well as fun content during the show dates. We hope to see you there!
Dates and Times
Thursday, October 3: 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Friday, October 4: 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Saturday, October 5: 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Sunday, October 6: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Tickets
The box office is located at Dock Street (exit the bus at the second stop).
Preview Day (Oct. 3): $40 at gate, all ages
Two-Day Preview Day Combo Ticket (valid Oct. 3 and one other day): $60
Two-Day Combo Ticket (valid Oct. 4-6, not valid Oct. 3): $45
General Admission (Oct. 4-6) – Adults: $25 online, $30 at the gate; children ages 7-15: $10; children under 6 are free
Military Personnel Day (Oct. 6) – $20 (must show valid active-duty ID at gate)
VIP Experience: $200. Sponsored by LaVictoire Finance, this option is for the boat show visitor looking for VIP treatment and offers the chance to speak with representatives at the show about obtaining the boat of your dreams. Tickets include admission into the boat show. All guests must be 21+ to enter the VIP Lounge. The mimosas and Bloody Mary bar is open 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., with the full bar opening at noon. Breakfast begins at 10 a.m. with coffee, assorted pastries, and fresh fruit followed by a buffet lunch at 12 p.m. and afternoon appetizers daily. Live music by Shawn Owen. If you would like to upgrade your general admission ticket, call the show office at (410) 268-8828.
Door Prizes: When you pre-purchase your tickets online or sign up at the show, you are automatically entered to win one of the door prizes including:a Blu3 Guided Tour (bridging the gap between snorkeling and scuba diving), Cutco Fisherman’s Solution knife, and a Further Customs Laguna 290 inflatable catamaran.
Answers to FAQs:
- Boat Show staff encourages guests to skip the lines and buy tickets online. If you do need to purchase tickets at the gate, please exit the shuttle bus at the second stop. The Box Office is located on Dock Street.
- Pets are not allowed inside the show due to safety and health reasons, unless it is a certified service animal.
- Strollers are not allowed inside the show due to safety issues. Please park your stroller in the designated stroller parking area.
- It is recommended that all children wear lifejackets for their safety.
- The Boat Show is open rain or shine.
- You do not need to print out your ticket; all tickets may be scanned from your phone.
- Backpacks and bags are allowed.
- You may leave the show and re-enter; you will receive a hand stamp to re-enter the show without your ticket.
Parking
Boat Show visitors are encouraged to park at the Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium (550 Taylor Ave, Annapolis) and take a free shuttle to and from the show. Shuttles will run one hour prior to show opening through one hour after the show closes. Pre-sale of Stadium parking is offered at the discounted rate of $23 per day, $46 for oversize vehicles.
Pre-sale of parking closes at 10 p.m. the evening prior to the day you plan to attend. After that, you may purchase parking onsite at the Stadium Gate 2 entry located at 200 Farragut Rd for $25/$50, credit card only. No cash will be accepted. Parking can be reserved at parkmobile.io.
Additional parking is available in the parking garages in downtown Annapolis. Be sure to plan ahead as parking garages downtown fill up fast.
Getting Around
On land, it’s easy to hop on the Annapolis Free Downtown Shuttle that has regular stops around the downtown Annapolis area. This service begins at the Park Place Garage located off West Street and connects several parking garages and surface parking lots with local restaurants and businesses. Wheelchair lifts and bike racks are available on the shuttle buses. The shuttle runs Monday through Thursday from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m., Friday through Saturday from 7 a.m. to 12 a.m., and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Find a full list of stops at and a route map at annapolisparking.com/free-downtown-shuttle. You can also track the shuttle in real-time at that link, or download the mobile app.
The City of Annapolis has also recently launched the Maryland Avenue/State Circle and Eastport 10-minute trolleys, which are a convenient (and free!) way to get around. Just flag it down and hop on. The trolleys run every 10 minutes and are 100-percent electric. The Maryland Avenue/State Circle Avenue Trolley services Gotts, Whitmore, and Calvert Street parking garages to the shops and restaurants along Maryland Avenue and State Circle. It runs on Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The Electric Trolley is an open-air vehicle and therefore will not operate during inclement weather. This includes temperatures below 30 degrees, heavy rain, snow, or ice.
On the water, we love the water taxis. If you’re at the show, the easiest place to catch them is at the water taxi stop between the Annapolis Waterfront Hotel and Spa Creek Bridge. You can also call (410) 263-0033 or hail “water taxi” on VHF radio channel 68. Prices are $4 to $9 per person, depending on the destination (minimums apply in Back Creek and Upper Spa Creek; rates are for one-way transit). For cashless water taxi fare payment, download the Where in Annapolis app and click on the water taxi icon in the bottom right. For a route map with rates, visit watermarkjourney.com. The water taxis run Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Visiting From Out of Town?
It’s never too early to start making plans to come to the show. If you would like to extend your stay, there are a multitude of overnight accommodations available. Visit boatshowhotels.com/APBSB24 for the Annapolis Boat Shows list of official show hotels. You can also click to visitannapolis.org for more ideas on where to stay, eat, and things to see and do in town.
Show Map
For a map of the show, click here.
On Display
Click the links below for links.
Insider Tips for the Boat Show:
Serious boat buyer? Preview Day, Thursday, October 3, would be a great day to attend as it is generally less crowded and thus easier to make appointments/chat with dealers.
Wear the right shoes: Choose a pair that is comfortable (you’ll be doing a lot of walking) and easy to slip off and on (heels don't do so well on the floating docks). Remove shoes when boarding boats. If it’s cold or rainy, wear rain boots.
Getting Around: Always plan to give yourself extra time to get where you are going, especially if you have a seminar or appointment. Be prepared for crowds on the streets, on the docks, and potentially a wait for the shuttle bus.
Share and save information: Bring your phone, notepad, pens, boat cards, and business cards to share and save information. Bring photos of your boat projects to show the experts. At the show, snap pictures of favorite boats and cool products. Serious buyers should make appointments with the boat brokers.
Dress in layers: October in Annapolis can be sunny and warm, crisp and cool, or sometimes rainy. Anything is possible. Bring sunglasses, a wide-brimmed hat, a long-sleeved fleece, and a rain repellent top layer. A small backpack or tote can be very helpful for storing extra layers and any goodies you pick up at the show.
Bring cash: Many vendors will accept your credit card, but cash is easiest for small purchases. ATMs are available right outside the show. Think coffee, Painkillers, and the small marine gizmos that will catch your eye.
Bathrooms: Fancy port-a-johns are centrally located within the show. Real toilets are located on the first floor of the Harbor Master's office, just outside the show gates. They're free and open to the public.
Food: There are plenty of great dining options just outside the show gates. When you want something both quick and delicious, a PropTalk staff favorite is always the pit beef sandwiches from the Fleet Reserve Club.
Show Highlights
Brokerage Cove: Head to Brokerage Cove, located in St. Mary’s Cove, to browse a fantastic selection of pre-owned powerboats available for immediate purchase. It’s just a short walk or water taxi ride from the main show grounds. Stay tuned to the Annapolis Boat Show’s website for a full list of models on display.
Demo Dock: Try before you buy! The Demo Dock gives potential buyers a chance to sea trial a variety of boats to help make an educated decision on what engines, electronics, and other functions work best for them. Visit the demo dock early in the day to set up an appointment. Be sure to check the Annapolis Boat Show's website for updates and detailed descriptions.
- Candela C-8 (electric boat)
- Furuno USA Marine Electronics
- Ghostworks M40
- Grady-White 255 Freedom: twin Yamaha F200s with Helm Master EX, joystick, and autopilot
- 291 FS Key West: twin Yamaha F350s with Helm Master EX, joystick, and autopilot
- Honda BF350 V8 outboard
- Hyfoil HY32e (electric boat)
- Ingenity 23e (electric boat)
- Invincible 33 Open Fisherman
- Invincible 36 Open Fisherman
- Regulator 26XO with a Yamaha 450
- Sportsman 302 Open with both Seakeeper Ride and Gyro
- Vision Marine Fantail 217 (electric boat)
- XShore One (electric boat)
- Zodiac Center Console X10CC
FishTalk Fishing Spot: Learn about the great fishing experiences and species you can chase while in Maryland. Chat with industry experts, discuss conservation efforts underway in Maryland, learn more about fishing with free daily seminars, and explore the latest fishing boats. The Fishing Spot is located next to the show entrance on the corner of Compromise Street and St Mary’s St. Stay tuned for more details, including a schedule of events, on the Boat Show website and at proptalk.com.
Meet Team FishTalk/PropTalk: Come see us! We’ll be in our usual spot, Tent F6/F7 along Ego Alley and we love meeting our readers. Say hello and grab the latest issues of SpinSheet, PropTalk, FishTalk, and PortBook, as well as fun items like stickers, temporary tattoos, and coozies.
Tasting Tent and Cocktail Bar: Indulge in a premium selection of spirits and wine; located in the Yacht Basin. Guests (21+ only) are invited to visit the tent to learn more about the drinks, enjoy complimentary tastings, and purchase cocktails. Sampling includes Oak Ridge Winery, Baltimore Spirts Company, and Old Line Spirits.
Pusser’s Painkillers: Does a boat show visit even count if you don’t get at least one Painkiller from Pusser’s?!
Educational Opportunities
BoatUS On-Water Training
The BoatUS Foundation will host a number of introductory boating courses, including Intro to Boating, Women’s Intro to Boating, Precision Docking and Boat Handling, Open Water Boat Handling, and Open Water Advanced Maneuvering (the last two are offered on Sunday only and have prerequisite requirements). Each course costs $175, is limited to three to four students, includes approximately three hours of on-water instruction, and includes admission to the show. Classes are for ages 18 and up. Visit annapolisboatshows.com/powerboat-show/education to register.
Free, Daily Seminars
Additional seminars will be added as they are confirmed. We will share the basic topics and times; visit the Seminar Schedule page for detailed descriptions.
Thursday, Oct. 3
- 11-11:45 a.m. Personal Medical Risks on Boats with Efraim Schwartz of Sail N’ Cruise.
- 12-12:45 p.m. How to Transport your Boat by Way of Water and Land with Captain Don Saunders from Port to Port Yacht Transport.
- 1-1:45 p.m. Why Do You Need to Hire a Professional Captain? with Tony Tommasello of Chesapeake Area Professional Captains Association.
- 2-2:45 p.m. Minimize Safety Risks for Your Boat and Crew with James Deater of T3 Intelligence Services.
Friday, Oct. 4
- 11-11:45 a.m. Tips from a Professional when Buying a Used Powerboat with Scott Berg, from CBW Marine Surveyor, consultant and captain.
- 12-12:45 p.m. Introduction to Watermakers for the Cruising Boat with Rick Boran of CruiseRO.
- 1-1:45 p.m. Basic Pet CPR on a Boat with Stephanie Sadler of PetMedic Urgent Care in Edgewater, MD.
- 2-2:45 p.m. Light Tackle Jigging for Rockfish in Rocktober with Lenny Rudow of FishTalk Magazine.
Saturday, Oct. 5
- 11-11:45 a.m. An Introduction to the Rules of the Road by Captain Deb Marlor of Simplicity Coaching.
- 12-12:45 p.m. The Great American Loop with Kim Russo from the Great Loop Cruisers’ Association.
- 1-1:45 p.m. How to Transport your Boat by Way of Water and Land with Captain Dan Saunders from Port to Port Yacht Transport.
- 2-2:45 p.m. Help! I Want to Take My Reluctant Partner on the Boat! with Katherine Gonzalez.
- 3-3:45 p.m. Help! My Partner Wants to Take Me on the Boat! with Katherine Gonzalez.
Sunday, Oct. 6
- 11-11:45 a.m. TBA
- 12-12:45 p.m. Cruising Success: Top Five Tips for Transitioning from the Dock with Captain Deb Marlor of Simplicity Coaching.
- 1 to 1:45 p.m. Light Tackle Jigging for Rockfish in Rocktober with Lenny Rudow of FishTalk Magazine.
- 2-2:45 p.m. Empowering Women to be at the Helm with Captain Deb Marlor of Simplicity Coaching.
Cruisers University
The fall semester will be held Monday, October 7 through Friday, October 11 at The Historic Inns of Annapolis. More than 75 classes are available for sailors and powerboaters alike who have an interest in learning the fundamentals of bluewater cruising.
Classes are led by experienced cruisers and sailing industry professionals and includes topics such as marine weather forecasting, traditional navigation techniques, electronic tablet navigation, diesel maintenance, heavy weather sailing, and electrical systems. Registration is now open at cruisersuniversity.com.
New and Premiering Boats
For the most up-to-date list as well as descriptions of each model, visit the Annapolis Boat Show's website.
- Avalon 27 Excalibur Carbon Series
- Axopar 29 Cross Cabin
- Bayliner D22
- Bayliner Trophy T25PH
- Bayliner Trophy T29EX
- Delta Powerboats 48 Coupe
- Flux Marine 100% Electric Scout215 XSF
- Freeman 38
- Front Runner 33
- Grady White Canyon 386
- HCB Yachts 38 Speciale
- Key West 291FS
- Monterey Boats Elite 27
- NorthCoast 415HT
- Nuova Jolly-Prince 38 CC
- Targa 32
- Wolfeboro Boats Classic 15