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.
