In less than a month the Annapolis Powerboat Show will take over Ego Alley and the downtown Annapolis harbor, where hundreds of new boats of all shapes and sizes will be dazzling boaters and future boaters with acre after acre of gleaming fiberglass. The show begins on Thursday, October 3 and runs through Sunday, October 6, with hours of 10:00 a.m. through 6:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and 10:00 a.m. through 5:00 p.m. on Sunday.





Downtown turns into docks at the Annapolis harbor, when the boat show comes to town. Photo via Annapolis Boat Shows.




Some boat shows can be a grind (see Boat Show Survival 101 for tips on how to avoid letting a good time turn into work), but the Annapolis show is unique among other boat shows in a number of ways. Start with the fact that it’s held in a picturesque venue that’s more of a town than a city. Unlike the mega-shows held down south you won’t have to contend with the metropolitan mayhem, you won’t have to pay $30 for a bottle of water, and there’s plenty of awesome dining within a few minutes’ walk of the show—including genuine Maryland crab cakes.





For the 2024 show there will be literally hundreds of new powerboats on display, ranging from simple skiffs to yachts of 70-plus feet. With nearly two miles worth of docks added to downtown’s harbor this temporary marine mecca will have something for everyone, no matter what your budget or boating proclivity may be. Bowriders, center consoles, cruisers, high-performance boats, and convertibles will all be in attendance. There’s also a brokerage section in “Brokerage Cove” for those who might be interested in seeing previously owned vessels.





Whatever type of boat fits your family, you can bet it will be on display during the Annapolis Powerboat Show. Photo via Annapolis Boat Shows.




As for premiers, over a dozen brand-spanking-new boats will be making their initial showing in Annapolis including all of these all-new models:






  • Avalon 27 Excalibur Carbon Series




  • Axopar 29 Cross Cabin




  • Bayliner D22




  • Bayliner Trophy T25PH




  • Bayliner Trophy T29EX




  • Delta Powerboats 48 Coupe




  • Flux Marine Electric Scout 215 XSF




  • Front Runner 33




  • Grady-White Canyon 386




  • Key West 291 FS




  • Monterey Elite 27




  • NorthCoast 415 HT




  • Targa 32





An unusual perk of this show is the Demo Dock. Boats displayed here aren’t blocked in by other docks and are available for sea trial (visit early in the day to set an appointment), and include some of the most cutting-edge craft around. There will be several electric boats, foiling boats, and gyroscopically-stabilized boats. There will be boats made out of carbon fiber, and boats rigged to the teeth with all the latest and greatest electronics.





While boats like these may be the big story, they aren’t the only story. Along with all the new models there will be a slew of marine gadgets and goodies at the show, everything from the latest in safety gear to the newest binoculars around. Oh, and did we mention that there are door prizes including an actual boat? (A small inflatable boat, but you could win a real boat nonetheless!)





Check out the tents at the Annapolis Powerboat Show and you'll find all kinds of cool nautical goodies. Photo via Annapolis Boat Shows.




The event includes plenty of educational opportunities, too, for both new and experienced boaters. BoatU.S. will be on hand presenting introductory courses including Introduction to Boating, Women Making Waves, Precision Docking, and more (check out the BoatU.S. On-Water Training page to learn more or sign up). And there are plenty of daily free seminars on topics like minimizing safety risks, tips for buying a used powerboat, fishing for striped bass, and learning the boating Rules of the Road.





Boats, boats, and more boats! Head for Annapolis and check out the 2024 Powerboat Show. Photo via Annapolis Boat Shows.




All boat shows are not created equal, and the experience can vary quite a bit from one to another. Annapolis is a unique show in a unique venue, and if you talk to boaters who’ve been to all the biggies from coast to coast you’ll likely hear them ID Annapolis as a favorite—come walk the docks, and find out for yourself.





Added surprise bonus: Act fast and order tickets online to get a discount!


Written by: Lenny Rudow
With over two decades of experience in marine journalism, Lenny Rudow has contributed to publications including YachtWorld, boats.com, Boating Magazine, Marlin Magazine, Boating World, Saltwater Sportsman, Texas Fish & Game, and many others. Lenny is a graduate of the Westlawn School of Yacht Design, and he has won numerous BWI and OWAA writing awards.