Educational
Family
Entertainment
On-Water Sailing Training
Boost your skills with hands-on instruction.
Essential Cruising Skills for Catamarans
Times:
10am–1pm
Learn how to secure your boat with confidence and gain skills that will keep your crew and your cat safe in weather and when anchoring. Ideal if you’re preparing for your first charter or simply want to hone your skills.
Course covers:
- Heaving to, reefing and sailing under reefed mainsail
- Anchoring and rigging a snubber including techniques for a crowded anchorage
- Weighing anchor and departing an anchorage
- Casting off and departure techniques
- Crew communications
- When and how to set up an anchor watch
- Multiple anchor setups
Class limited to 6 students. Fee: $99 per person includes show admission.
Introduction to Cruising Catamarans
Times:
2pm–5pm
Experience the comfort, speed and precise maneuverability of modern cruising catamarans, and the unique sailing and handling needs of bigger "Cats". For newcomers and monohull sailors with little to no experience on multihulls
Course covers:
- Upright sailing versus heeling
- Techniques for tacking or jibing
- Selecting best sail trim/angle for optimum speed
- Sailing to weather and understanding leeway
- Avoiding the "go/no go zone"
Class limited to 6 students. Fee: $99 per person includes show admission.
On-Water Training presented by BoatU.S.
Have fun and gain confidence on the water with hands-on instruction. Whether you’re new to boating, want to improve your skills or just wonder what it’s like to pilot a boat, on-water classes make learning fun and easy.
Click here for training details
NEW! Fishing Simulator
Located in the Ballroom 1st Level
Feel the strike! Watch the rod bend! Experience the pull as your fish runs for the bottom! This interactive fishing simulator is as "reel" as it gets without getting your line wet. Will you land your trophy fish? Or just tell the tale of how it got away? Stand shoulder-to-shoulder and enjoy a friendly competition with your fishing partner to see who can land the big one.
Located in the Ballroom on the first level.
Progressive® Insurance Boat Club
Boost your boating IQ!
Come visit the Progressive Boat Club! Progressive provides education and inspiration in partnership with the Annapolis School of Seamanship so you can get the most of your boating lifestyle! Stop by to master your docking technique at our docking pool or take a spin at a Virtual Reality boating experience. You can also chat with a Progressive Insurance expert to ask any questions about boating coverages or get a free quote!
Live Music — Frankendread
Allen "Frankendread" Holland is a Key West based singer/songwriter and performer of real island music. He has a distinctive voice and plays steel pan on songs everyone should hear. His performances puts smiles on people’s faces.
Ladies, Let’s Go Fishing! Learn to Fish Workshop
Saturday, September 7
Ladies, join us for a day of fishing fun and networking. Learn fishing strategy and techniques, practice skills, and meet other women who like to fish at this “No Yelling School of Fishing”. Hands-on instruction covers inshore/bay fishing, knot tying, casting and more. No equipment or experience required. Show entry/certificates/gifts value approx. $100 included.
Hosted by Betty Bauman, Founder of Ladies, Let’s Go Fishing. Speakers and instructors include Capts. Leiza Fitzgerald, Pamela Wirth, Lori Deaton, Alice Trautman, Stacy Horak, Rachel Nobbe, Stewart Ames and others.
Workshop fee: $49 per person in advance $59 the week of the show. Pre-registration required. Register HERE.
SCHEDULE: see Seminars
Miss GEICO Offshore Racing Boat
Space G78
Don't miss your chance to see this one of kind racing machine. The fourth generation, World Champion Miss GEICO is a 50-ft. Victory catamaran made of carbon/Kevlar. Powered by 1650 RACE Mercury racing engines that generate 3,300 horsepower, she can reach speeds in excess of 200 mph!
Boating Career Day
Is a marine career in your future? Come find out! Learn about the skills, training and education you need to join a workforce that’s making waves. Get career advice from marine industry professionals and enjoy a fun day exploring the show. Friday, September 6 from 8:30 to 10:00 AM.
Boater’s Education
Free Hourly Seminars
FREE hourly seminars offer instruction, inspiration and entertainment something we call Edutainment! It’s a great way to expand your abilities, increase you confidence at the helm and learn how to make the most of your time on the water. This year we'll offer instruction both on the water and in the classroom. Find full schedule here.
Family Day at the Boat Show
NEW! Sunday is Family Day! Special ticket price for the whole family. Click Here to purchase a family pass good for 2 adults and 2 children. Special events for the kids and a surprise guest every kid will enjoy seeing. Bring the whole family for a day of fun at the Boat Show. Family Day tickets are available for purchase online only.
New! Boater's Yacht Club Lounge
Enjoy live island music, island drinks, free Wi-Fi and a nice cool breeze while taking in a panoramic view of the expanded in-water section of the show. The Boater's Yacht Club Lounge is a tented oasis where you can ponder your options after shopping for the boat of your dreams, meet up with friends or just kick back and relax by the bay in a comfortable relaxing yacht club environment.
Kid’s Zone
Boater’s Education Center Mezz Level
Looking for something to do with the kids? Stop by the boat show for some fun activities for young mariners, includes a bounce house, face painting, balloon animals, and coloring. Plus a special guest that every kid knows and will love to see. This years' special guest for the kids will be on site between 2–4pm Sat & Sun.
NEW! Friday 5 After 5
$5 adult ticket after 5pm Friday
New! Happy Hour at the Boat Show. Come to the show after 5pm Friday (only) and buy your ticket for 5 bucks. Start the weekend in the right direction with Friday 5 after 5. $5 entry and $5 drink specials. (Friday only)