For many sailors, the Annapolis Spring Sailboat Show marks the official start of the boating season. Nearly 100 sailboats will be on display, on land and in the water, new and used, including catamarans, monohulls, family cruisers, day sailors, and bluewater sailboats. Getting excited yet? So are we. Get ready to break out the flip flops!
Need to Know
Dates: April 28-30
Times: Friday and Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Location: City Dock, Annapolis
Tickets: Adult One Day –$12
Adult Two Day Combo –$19
Children 12 and under free
Parking: $10 at the Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis. Free shuttle bus from parking to the show; runs continuously from 9 a.m. until one hour after the show closes. Parking also available at Eastport Elementary School ($30) and Annapolis garages.
For more information and to purchase tickets, click to annapolisboatshows.com.
Notable Attractions
Stop by the SpinSheet booth and grab a free sticker to show your SpinSheet pride!
First Sail Workshop: Participants will learn the basics of sailing in a 45-minute classroom session, immediately followed by 90 minutes on the water with SailTime and American Sailing Association instructors on the Beneteau First 22. Held four times per day, advance registration required. Admission to the Show and a one-year $30 basic membership to BoatU.S. is included with your registration. $55 per person.
Annapolis Junior Keelboat Regatta: Held April 29 at noon. The third annual regatta brings together seven of the area’s top regional high school sailing teams to race just off the docks of the Spring Sailboat Show in Annapolis Harbor. Students will race in J/80s provided by J/World Annapolis. The awards ceremony will take place at 4 p.m. in Susan Campbell Park, downtown Annapolis.
Exhibitors: Find the latest in navigational equipment, high-tech electronics, inflatables, boating accessories, gear, and related services such as boating clubs, charter companies, insurance firms, and lending institutions. Find a list of exhibitors, products, and boats at annapolisboatshows.com.
Entertainment Plaza: Take a breather from the sailboats and enjoy continuous entertainment, live music, prizes, and food and drink tastings at Susan C. Campbell Park.
Grand Prize: Purchase tickets online to be automatically entered to win a “boatload of prizes” or register at the ticket office during the show. Prizes include a sunset cruise for eight on a new Beneteau (donated by Annapolis Yacht Sales), a pair of Maui Jim sunglasses (Shades of the Bay), and an SOS Distress Light (Weems & Plath), among others.
USNA Schooner Summerwind at NSHOF: The beautifully restored 100-foot Alden schooner Summerwind arrived at the public docks of the National Sailing Hall of Fame and will be available for public viewing until her departure on Monday, May 1.
What’s New?
In-Water Demos in Ego Alley at City Dock. An exciting new demo area will feature small sailboats, kayaks, inflatables, and model boats. Try before you buy! Exhibitors include Topaz Sailboats, Backyard Boats with the Hobie Mirage Eclipse, the Maryland Model Yacht Club, EZ Dock with the EZ Launch (for canoes and kayaks), Fawcett Boat Supplies with Apex Inflatables, and Dragonfly Paddle and Fitness with introductory SUP lessons and SUP Yoga demonstrations.
Cruisers University Moving to U.S. Naval Academy: For the first time, Cruisers U students will attend classes at the Naval Academy Club on the grounds of the United States Naval Academy. Classes run April 27-30 with options for one-to-four-day programs, ranging in price from $230 to $660. Choose from more than 60 classes. All packages include educational materials, breakfast and lunch, evening social activities, admission to either the Annapolis Spring Sailboat Show or Bay Bridge Boat Show, and complimentary one year Basic BoatU.S. membership.
SpinSheet Annapolis Crew Party!
Sunday, April 30 from 4 to 6 p.m. at Eastport Yacht Club. This will be an exciting gathering of boat owners looking for crew and crew looking for the boats. Free and open to the public; novices welcome! For more information, click here.
- Make sure to bring a pen and paper to keep track of contacts.
- There will be live music by The Geckoes and a cash bar (so make sure to bring cash).
- If you want to win some Musto gear, sign up here. We will announce winners for sailing shoes and a jacket at the party.
- Do NOT park in the EYC lot. There will be plenty of street parking around Eastport.
