By Dick Healy
It required a lot of planning and intricate handling to place nearly 200 boats in Annapolis, Maryland for the 37th annual United States Sailboat Show. Nevertheless, by 10 a. m. Thursday, Oct 4, all boats, some in the water and some situated on land were on display for eager viewers, potential yacht buyers and dozens of boat builder representatives.
With banners and flags blowing in the wind, and Annapolis’ inner harbor a maze of 280 floating docks that connect the vast array of boats available at this year’s show, the stately, gray buildings of the United States Naval Academy make for a spectacular and fitting backdrop.
Beside the boats, every conceivable accessory item related to boating is featured, most of them at special show-price discounts. Diesel engines and generators, sail care services that clean and refurbish sails, marine batteries, fine art nautical photography, bags, totes and canvas items, foul weather gear and other apparel, binoculars, diving equipment, and state-of-the-art radar and satellite antennas.
Of course all the major charter boat companies are on hand, including worldwide charter notables The Mornings, SunSail and Foot Loose among them.
One major boat manufacturer, Beneteau, has 12 boats at the show, ranging in size from 34 to 49 feet. Coincidentally, Erika A. Fish, Beneteau marketing manager, was reared in Lake George, New York.
“ I go to about six major boats shows a year,” says Fish. “ This Annapolis gathering is always well received.”
Boats represented in Annapolis come from all over the world. Key manufactures from Germany, France, and even Poland, Croatia and China, spent weeks getting ready for and bringing their yachts here.
Equally diverse are the numbers of boat show visitors that, I am told, make plans a year in advance to make the trek to Annapolis. Lodging is in short supply, unless you’ve booked early. Many nearby City Dock homes are rented out to companies. We spotted a large banner strung across one adjacent home reading “ Oyster” a major yacht building company.
One of the central locations is the inner city harbor located Marriott Hotel where standard rooms this week goes for $409 a night. Small flotillas of luxury motor yachts are anchored around the bay that houses upscale visitors. Nothing is too good for what is billed as, “ The World’s Largest Sailboat Show.”
With parking very tight in Annapolis, many visitors have elected to leave their cars at designated parking areas outside of town and are bused to the boat show. The show runs through Monday, Oct 9. General admission is $16 for adults and $8 for children 12 and under.
Note: The power boat show immediately follows the sailboat show.
