Manufacturers, vendors and sailors from around the globe will gather on miles of docks Thursday in historic Annapolis, Md., to open the 45th United States Sailboat Show.
Boat show enthusiasts at the five-day event will board and inspect boats built by virtually every major sailboat manufacturer, including a large collection of catamarans.
Acres of on-land exhibitors will display the latest in navigational equipment, marine equipment, high-tech electronics, boating accessories, rigging, clothing and gear.
Among hundreds of sailboats on display, the show will feature 12 from Jeanneau, 10 from Beneteau, eight built by Fountaine Pajot and four from Hylas.
Morris Yachts unveils its new Ocean Series 48GT, and Beneteau America and the American Sailing Association are hosting a press conference Wednesday evening for the world premiere of the ASA First 22, a new training vessel Beneteau developed in collaboration with the ASA.
New at the show this year is a high-performance racing section and a venue dedicated to brokerage sailboats for immediate sale. Brokerage Cove will feature used sailboats shown at St. Mary’s Cove. The show within a show will have used boats in a floating marina presented by regional boat brokers. Admission provides entry to the sailboat show and Brokerage Cove.
Other features of the show include:
• Vacation Basin: Plan the Dream is dedicated to chartering, travel, vacations and charter boat ownership in the Chesapeake Bay and island locations.
• Take the Wheel: Interactive Workshop & Boat Demo is an innovative workshop that includes an afternoon of sailing to evaluate a range of boat styles.
• Free sailing seminars include daily programs by Chesapeake Bay Magazine, the Annapolis School of Seamanship and Cruising World Magazine.
• A drawing will take place for a grand prize of a one-week charter vacation in the British Virgin Islands, donated by The Moorings.
Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Thursday; 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. from Friday through Sunday; and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday.
“This isn’t just a boat show,” president and general manager Paul Jacobs said in a statement. “The United States Sailboat Show is a multifaceted maritime experience. There are boat tours, historic tours, Naval Academy tours, Maryland crab cakes, blue crabs, raw bars, craft beers, painkillers, breathtaking views, and that’s in addition to the biggest and best sailboat show in the country.”
Click here for an aerial view from the spring show earlier this year.
