Power Or Sail, Spring Or Fall - Annapolis Has It All
Published: Monday, February 25, 2019
The Annapolis Boat Shows, Inc. is excited to announce their 2019 schedule, including four in-water sail and power boat shows taking place in Annapolis and the surrounding region. Along with producing boat shows, the Annapolis Boat Shows, Inc. also coordinates several educational and training programs for boating enthusiasts of all types and skill levels.
“We are truly excited to announce that 2019 will be the 50th anniversary of the United States Sailboat Show in historic downtown Annapolis. In 1970, the world's first in-water sailboat show opened with a handful of sailboats on display in Ego Alley," said Paul Jacobs, President of the Annapolis Boat Shows. "It’s unlikely that the sailors who designed that first show could imagine the significance and size of today's show.
"It is not an exaggeration to say that the United States Sailboat Show is the world's greatest gathering of its kind, providing sailors an opportunity for networking, socializing, exploring and buying,” continued Jacobs. “We have lots of exciting things planned for the 50th anniversary and encourage visitors to plan their visit early.
2019 Spring Boat Shows
The Bay Bridge Boat Show will take place April 12-14, 2019 featuring more than 400 powerboats up to 75 feet in length. This is an annual springtime gathering of powerboats that is the largest of its kind anywhere north of Florida. The mix of boats is always interesting and this year features the largest and most diverse selection of boats and boating gear in over a decade.
The resurgence of families which consider boating as the go-to family activity for fishing, weekend cruising, picnicking, ski and wakeboarding, or exploring has provided new life to the small to mid-sized trailerable boat category. Center consoles, express cruisers, wake and ski boats, pontoon boats, and myriad others will be numbered in the hundreds.
The small car-top boating type can inspect kayaks, SUPs, inflatables, small engines, and paddle sport platforms of all kinds. At the other end of the spectrum, the entire range of trawlers, spectacular blue water cruisers, and offshore fishing yachts will be on display in large numbers.
A wide array of on-land exhibitors will have boating gear and equipment of all kinds on display, and for a more personalized experience, a VIP Red Carpet Lounge will also be available. Also, new at Bay Bridge Boat Show this year are three on-water training classes provided by the BoatUS Foundation. Designed to help everyone in the family get boating experience, these new courses are a fun, easy, and affordable way to explore your boating curiousity or gain more confidence at the helm.
The Annapolis Spring Sailboat Show takes place in beautiful downtown Annapolis April 26-28, 2019. This show features new and brokered sailboats of all types and sizes and is great for the seasoned veteran and the novice sailor alike. Be sure to take advantage of the VIP Red Carpet Lounge, which is also new at this show this year, and, if you are looking to learn more in-depth about cruising or sailing, Cruisers University or First Sail Workshops are great programs that will be available.
The Annapolis Spring Sailboat Show is always guaranteed to be a fun outing for the entire family and is a great way to kick-off your sailing season.
2019 October Boat Shows
The 48th annual United States Powerboat Show opens October 3-6, 2019 with more than 500 boats on display in historic downtown Annapolis. The show also features a wide array of on-land displays with boating equipment and gear of all kinds. A VIP Red Carpet Lounge area will be back by popular demand along with the comprehensive educational program, Cruisers University. Other offerings include Brokerage Cove and a Demo Dock where dealers and manufacturers conduct demonstrations of new model powerboats, outboard engines, and stabilizing systems. This show provides the boat buying public an opportunity to see virtually every style of boat available up close and in person.
Dubbed the 'greatest sailboat show' by consumers and exhibitors alike, the United States Sailboat Show is the granddaddy of all sailboat shows and will celebrate its 50th anniversary this year. The show represents the largest in-water all-sailboat show in the industry, and the only one of its kind in America. An extensive display of monohull and multihull sailboats of all makes and sizes will be showcased, along with the latest in boating gear, accessories, and equipment. Whether it’s a trip through Vacation Basin, relaxing at the VIP Red Carpet Lounge, attending Cruisers University, Take the Wheel, or a First Sail Workshop, this show provides something for everyone. The 50th United States Sailboat Show will be in Annapolis on Columbus Day weekend, October 10-14, 2019 and is poised to be the biggest and grandest show to date.
2019 Cruisers University
Cruisers University - April 25-28 and October 7-10, 2019 - offers the most comprehensive curriculum on cruising of its kind and is suitable for both sailors and powerboaters alike. With over 50 classes available, students can pick and choose courses that most interest them from a wide variety of topics. Cruisers University students who attended the program in 2018 said:
“If you make the effort to come to the Annapolis Sailboat Show and miss Cruisers University, you have missed the most useful and potentially life-saving part of the show. The value cannot be overstated.”
"The knowledge of the presenters was outstanding and the information gathered from attending Cruisers University was incredibly valuable!"
2019 First Sail Workshops
First Sail Workshops are scheduled for April 26-28 and again October 10-14, 2019. Participants learn the basics of sailing in a 45-minute classroom session, immediately followed by 90 minutes on the water with American Sailing Association instructors aboard featured Beneteau First 22’s (provided by SailTime) or Catalina 22 Sport’s (provided by the Freedom Boat Club). Admission to the sailboat show is included.
Tickets
In 2019, boat show tickets are available at a reduced cost online, and ticket buyers are automatically entered to win grand prizes like a week long charter in the Caribbean, Stand Up Paddleboards, and more.
Tickets and more detailed show information can be found at AnnapolisBoatShows.com.
This article first appeared in the Winter Issue (Jan/Feb) 2019 of Great Lakes Scuttlebutt magazine.
tags: Beyond the Lakes, Boat Show, East Coast
