Powerboaters, anglers, and those dreaming of the boating lifestyle—get ready, because October 2-5, 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 2-5! 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 (we are in a NEW spot this year: Land 22) 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 2: 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Friday, October 3: 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Saturday, October 4: 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Sunday, October 5: 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. 2): $45 at gate
Two-Day Preview Day Combo Ticket (valid Oct. 2 and one general admission day): $72
Two-Day General Admission Combo Ticket (valid Oct. 3-5, not valid Oct. 2): $59
General Admission (Oct. 3-5) – Adults: $32, children ages 7-15 (Oct. 2-5): $10; children under 6 are free
Military Personnel Day (Oct. 5) – $20 (must show valid active-duty ID at gate)
VIP Experience: $201.75. Sponsored by LaVictoire Finance. If you want to get away from the crowds and feel pampered, the VIP lounge now offers catering all day, Bloody Marys and Mimosas starting at 10 a.m., a full bar opening at noon, live music, and of course the opportunity to speak with representatives from LaVictoire Finance who can help you obtain the boat of your dreams. All guest must be at least 21 years old to enter the VIP lounge. If you would like to upgrade your general admission ticket, call the show office at (410) 268-8828.
Door Prizes: Register at the Vacation Village display, located at the Dock St. and Vacation Basin gates, to win amazing door prizes generously donated by exhibitors.
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, MD 21401) 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 pre-paid and $30 day of event parking.
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.
- Aspen C128
- Calcutta 323 powered by Honda BF350
- Moose Boat M-2
- Orphie 29
- Seakeeper and Seakeeper Ride
- Tender OCT from ZeroJet
- X Shore Eelex 8000 Center Console
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 a new spot this year, Land 22, 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.
Wine & Spirits Tasting Tent: Located near Demo Dock E and the VIP Experience by the Compromise Street entrance.
Educational Opportunities
BoatUS On-Water Training
The BoatUS Foundation will host a number of introductory boating courses, including Intro to Boating, Precision Docking and Boat Handling, and Open Water Boat Handling. Each course costs $199, and includes admission to the show. 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. 2
- 11-11:45 a.m. What to Know Before You Go!
- 12-12:45 p.m. Cruising the Great Lakes
- 1-1:45 p.m. What is Better? Chartplotters, Apps, or Both?
- 2-2:45 p.m. The Great American Loop
- 3-3:45 p.m. What is the Florida Loop?
Friday, Oct. 3
- 11-11:45 a.m. Playing it Safe on the Water
- 12-12:45 p.m. New to Boating? What can a Navigation App do to Make it Easier?
- 1-1:45 p.m. Dock and Dine on the Upper Chesapeake Bay
- 2-2:45 p.m. Light Tackle Jigging for Rockfish in Rocktober with Lenny Rudow of FishTalk Magazine.
- 3-3:45 p.m. How to Keep Your Boat Looking New all the Time!
Saturday, Oct. 4
- 11-11:45 a.m. Photography Tips From an Expert While out Boating
- 12-12:45 p.m. Tips From a Professional when Buying a Used Boat
- 1-1:45 p.m. Maneuvering Strategies in Close Quarters
- 2-2:45 p.m. Light Tackle Jigging for Rockfish in Rocktober with Lenny Rudow of FishTalk Magazine.
- 3-3:45 p.m. What Should you Know About Boat Insurance
Sunday, Oct. 5
- 11-11:45 a.m. Docking for Two People and One Line with Full Control
- 12-12:45 p.m. Empowering Women on the Water as a Captain or Crew
- 1 to 1:45 p.m. Weather 101 for Boaters
- 2-2:45 p.m. Crabbing for Newbies
Cruisers University
The fall semester will be held October 6-10 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.
- Aspen C128
- Blackfin 262 HB
- Bulls Bay 255 Center Console
- Flemming 55
- Formula Boats 360 CBR
- MJM 38RS
- Monterey Elite 25 OB
- Monterey Elite 30 OB
- Sportsman Heritage 321