You say you plan on wrangling rockfish and chasing cobia from a red-hot new fishing boat next season, but you’re not sure what to get? Never fear, dear boat shopper: the Annapolis Powerboat Show is coming. Or, it may already be her depending on when you picked up this edition of FishTalk. We went to press about two weeks before the show and this October edition will remain on the racks until after the show has started—so we hope it’s not too late. Quick! Check the date! Is it October 6? If so, ARGH and DARN! But hopefully that date hasn’t arrived just yet and as your eyes dart back and forth from these pages to the calendar you’ll be relieved to discover that you haven’t missed the show. WOOHOO! Let’s go boat shopping.
What’s New at the Annapolis Boat Show
If you’re a perennial boat show goer, rest assured, the 2025 show will have plenty of new attractions to keep the experience fresh. Mimosas, anyone? They’ll start flowing at 10 a.m. for those who partake in the VIP experience and hit the VIP lounge, which now offers all-day catering. If beer is more your style, we have some excellent news: Pherm Brewing has crafted a unique Boat Show Brew (which is all about enjoying the open air and sunshine we enjoy on boats, but absolutely, positively, does not taste like fiberglass) just for this event.
Since the harbormaster’s office building is now gone there will now be a bit more elbow room inside the show grounds. And this year FishTalk Angler in Chief Lenny Rudow will be on hand both Friday and Saturday for a 2 p.m. seminar on light tackle jigging for rockfish in Rocktober, which is free to show-goers. Some other cool seminars include “Crabbing for Newbies” and “How to Keep Your Boat Looking Like New,” so visit Education at the Annapolis Boat Show website and check out the full schedule.
The new things we care about the most, of course, are the cool new fishing boats. If you haven’t yet seen the uber-fishy yet uber-comfy Grady-White 281 CE, head for Grady-White’s display. Brown Dog Marine will be there with the Pair Customs 28, one of the most rugged new center consoles on the Bay today. An entire new generation of Parkers will be on hand at the Tri-State Marine display with a mix of center consoles and cabin boats, ranging from the new 18SE to the 2900 CC. If you want to try tossing light tackle from the biggest bow casting deck around go see the Caymas 281, in attendance at North Point Yacht Sales. Peek at the Sailfish center and dual console models that will be on hand courtesy of Galahad Marine Sales. Or take a look at the always-impressive Sportsman lineup and their numerous center consoles courtesy of Riverside Marine.
One other cool fishing boat you’ll want to check out—although it’s anything but new—is the U.S. Navy YP boat, which will be on display at the show and open to the public. Although YP boats are used for training purposes these days, they originated in San Diego shortly after Pearl Harbor was attacked, when the Navy converted tuna fishing boats for military use.
On top of what’s new, as usual you can count on seeing booth after booth of marine products ranging from fenders to anchors; display after display of marinas, associations, and clubs; and services like boat detailing, repairs, and financing. If new electronics are in your future be sure to swing by BOE Marine, too. Check out the On Display tab at the Annapolis Boat Shows website for the complete listing.
Annapolis Boat Show Details
The show opens at 10 a.m. Thursday October 2 for Preview Day, and runs until 6:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday the show is open during the same hours, and Sunday it closes at 5 p.m. General admission is $32 ($45 for Preview Day), kids seven to 15 get in for $10, and kids six and under are free. Sunday is military personnel day with tickets for military members reduced to $22. There’s a box office by the Dock Street entrance, or you can avoid the line by ordering your e-tickets online. Parking is available in the downtown garages, however, it fills up fast; most days shuttle buses will be running from the Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium, where day-of parking is $30 or pre-paid spots are $23 (see Parking Information at the Annapolis Boat Shows website to pre-order). On Saturday parking shifts to the Board of Education at 2644 Riva Rd and is cash only ($15).
Whether you’re looking to buy a cool new fishing machine, you need to find a new marina or marine services, or you just love checking out the latest and greatest boats to hit the water, don’t miss the Annapolis Powerboat Show. Unless you’re reading this on October 6. In that case… ARGH and DARN!