The United States Powerboat Show will start Thursday, Oct. 6, and run through Sunday, Oct. 9, in Annapolis, the heart of cruising in the Chesapeake and one of the premiere cruising destinations in the world.
The Annapolis show is always popular, for a whole lot of reasons. It’s easy to get to (less than an hour’s drive from Washington, D.C., or Baltimore); it’s easy to see a lot of new boats and gear displayed there, and it’s in Annapolis, with boatyards, marinas, waterfront restaurants and watering holes all around.
And then there’s the U.S. Naval Academy with grounds next to the show, and historic Annapolis stretching up Main Street to the state capital. (Annapolis was the capital of the United States in 1783 and 1784.)
The show is centered around City Dock (also known as Ego Alley) and it’s now celebrating its 50th year there. About 600 new boats from 8 to 80 feet will be on display, running the gamut from Aspen Power Cats to X Shore.
Hinckley and Hunt, Sabre and Back Cove, and the GB Marine Group are all easy to find; they’re basically next to each other over by the Annapolis Waterfront Hotel. MJM is just down the dock; this year they’ll display their new MJM 4, just named Best Powerboat at the Newport Show. Beneteau always has a big display of its fleet, including the popular Swift Trawlers.
Pocket Yacht will be showing new Ranger Tugs, Cutwater Boats and the new Solara models, while Burr Yacht Sales will display the latest Flemings. For long-range cruising boats, see the newest Nordhavns and Kadey-Krogens on the docks.
In addition to new boats, the show has tents of displays of everything from new electronics to knife sharpeners. It also offers seminars from the Annapolis School of Seamanship, and it has demo docks where you can try out new boats, engines and stabilizing systems.
If you get weary by the end of the day (and you’re at least 21 years old), Breakthru Beverage Maryland, the largest wine and spirits distributor in the state, has a Breakthru Tasting Tent where you can enjoy complimentary tastings. The offerings include Gray Whale Gin, Fishers Island Lemonade, and Josh Cellars wines (Josh Cellars was named American Winery of the Year by Wine Enthusiast magazine).
The show is open from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday. Tickets are $40 on Thursday, the preview day, and $25 for adults on the other days. Children ages 7 to 12 are $10; children 6 and under are free. The show urges everyone to buy tickets on line in advance.
For me, the Annapolis show is a great place to see new boats and accessories and to take in some crab cakes at McGarvey’s or the Boatyard. I also try to work in my annual breakfast at Chick & Ruth’s Delly on Main Street just a few blocks up from the show, where everyone stands up and recites the Pledge of Allegiance at 8:30 a.m. Read more:
