Starting today, October 7 and for the next 10 days the city of Annapolis becomes the boating capital of the U.S. The U.S. Powerboat Show starts today and runs through Sunday. At the show you will see a wide selection of powerboats from personal watercraft to mega yachts and everything inbetween. And there are acres of tents filled with displays of products and services for all powerboaters. On Friday and Saturday (8th and 9th) you can attend free daily seminars on seamanship, boat handling, navigation and more.
Starting next Thursday (14th), the U.S. Sailboat Show gets underway and offers the biggest selection of sailboats and gear in one place in North America. You’ll see all of the new cruising and racing monohulls, a huge selection of cruising catamarans and even a few trimarans. In the tents, just about every marine vendor in the sailing marketplace will have a display. And, often, you will find they are offering ”boat show specials.”
The shows are festivals of boating and there’s a lot to do aside from shopping for boats and gear. Cruiser’s University with in-depth courses on all things to do with sailing, seamanship, cruising and boat ownership starts on October 10 and runs right through the sailboat show. These fee-based courses are taught by vastly experienced sailors, cruisers and industry folk. Some are sold out but many still have seats available.
Outside the show, Annapolis offers visitors a lot of things to do. The Naval Academy is right next to the show and a visit to the Naval Academy Chapel and the tomb where the father of the U.S. Navy John Paul Jones lies is well worthwhile. There are excellent restaurants where the boating crowd like to gather like McGarvey’s or The Boathouse. There’s Maryland’s historic statehouse and St. John’s College on top of the hills and historic neighborhoods for exploring on foot. For live music, the Ram’s Head Tavern is the place to be. Here’s a list of fun things to do outside the power and sailboat shows. Enjoy Annapolis and I hope to see you there.
Free Daily Seminars 10/8 and 9
Cruiser’s University
