Welcome to the U.S. Sailboat Show October 5-9, 2017: For five wonderful days in October, the U.S. Sailboat Show in Annapolis throws open its doors to sailors from around the country and beyond. The show seems to beckon, “Give me your would-be sailors, your weathered cruisers, your elite-level racers, and your salty masses yearning to sail free.” And the sailors come. By the thousands. To see new boats, shop for gear, learn from experts, party with friends, and of course, purchase sailing paraphernalia.
For those five special days, Annapolis Harbor feels like the center of the sailing universe. Sailors arrive in droves (not that Annapolis isn’t already teeming with them). They stroll down Main Street, fill the coffee shops, crowd the bars and restaurants, and take in the historic charm of the waterfront.
And start sharing their dreams. Because that’s where it all begins, right? Dreaming about being on a sailboat, dreaming about owning a sailboat, dreaming about sailing farther and faster, and eventually dreaming about moving up to a bigger boat. And so they come. Because this place is filled with people who can help make dreams come true.
Want to take your first sailboat ride? You can do it here. Want to buy a small sailboat? You’ll find dozens. Ready to take cruising to the next level? Learn from the experts on site. Looking for a race boat that could win you the club championship? Shop and compare. Hoping to move up to a luxury yacht? Your dream boat awaits.
And that doesn’t even touch on the thousands of sailing products and other gear that exhibitors will have on display. Whether you’re looking for new sails, dock line, deck shoes, foul weather gear, winches and blocks, or navigation systems, you’ll find it here.
The Annapolis show is made for sailors, by sailors. So come to the show. Bring your dreams and your questions. Chat with sailing experts and find the boat, gear, knowledge, or solution that will get you sailing farther, faster, and more often.... Welcome to the 2017 U.S. Sailboat Show!
Dates and Times
Thursday, October 5: (VIP Day):
10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Friday, October 6:
10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Saturday, October 7:
10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Sunday, October 8:
10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Monday, October 9:
10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Tickets
Thursday, VIP Day (all ages): $35
Adults: $18 in advance; $20 at the gate
Children 7 to 12: $5
Children 6 and under: Free
Two-day Combo Ticket: $31
Two-day VIP Combo Ticket: $48
Tickets may be purchased at the gates or online and printed at home. No pets, and for safety reasons, strollers are strongly discouraged.
More Information: (410)-268-8828.
Parking
Parking costs $10 at the Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium, and free school buses shuttle attendees to the show. The stadium’s GPS address is 511 Taylor Avenue, Annapolis, MD 21401. Shuttles run from 9 a.m. until one hour after the show closes. Saturday, October 7, parking will be at alternate lots off Riva Road, because the U.S. Naval Academy has a home football game against the Air Force Academy at 3:30 p.m., which will be televised (maybe you’ll want to watch at O’Brien’s, Stan and Joe’s, or another local sports bar). Follow the signs from Route 50, then hop on the free shuttle.
Getting Around
On land, use the Circulator, Annapolis’s free trolley. Regular stops at City Dock, West and Lafayette, Church Circle, Park Place, and all four city garages. The Circulator’s mobile app is available in both iPhone and Android app stores at no charge. Download the app named “RLS Shuttle” and select “Annapolis Circulator” to start tracking the shuttle. Get the details at annapolisparking.com.
On the water, we love the water taxis, which run continuously from 8 a.m. to midnight Thursday through Sunday during the show (until 11 p.m. Monday). Catch it at the water taxi stop between the Annapolis Waterfront Hotel and Spa Creek Bridge, or call (410) 263-0033. Or hail “water taxi” on VHF radio channel 68. Prices are $3 to $8 depending on the destination, but to ride between the main show and Brokerage Cove is free. Cash tips are appreciated.
Meet Team SpinSheet
We’ll be in our usual spot, Booth F5/F6 along Ego Alley. Stop by and enjoy popcorn and happy hour with our writers, editors, publishers, graphic designers, distribution drivers, and photographers. We love to meet our readers!
Bathrooms
Fancy port-a-johns are centrally located within the show. “Real toilets” are located on the first floor of the Harbor Master’s office, just outside the show gates. They’re free and open to the public.
