Getting Ready to Race at the 2025 Annapolis Sailboat Show
Date: September 19, 2025
If you’ve got a need for speed, the 2025 Annapolis Sailboat Show (October 9-12) is ready to deliver. This year’s racing-focused programming is packed with action—from a live Farr 40 refit by Oakcliff Racing to sleek performance boats such as the ClubSwan 28, Beneteau First 30, and Z28 on display. Whether you’re preparing for your next regatta or just getting into the sport, you’ll find top-tier gear, expert advice, and hands-on education throughout the show. It’s a full-course offering for anyone with a competitive streak and a passion for sailing.
Refit My Ride
Oakcliff is bringing boatwork to center stage with a live refit of the Farr 40 Blue at the 2025 Annapolis Sailboat Show. With help from expert partners and products donated by show exhibitors, they’ll transform the vessel into a race-ready machine right on the docks. Expect hands-on demos, pro tips, and a whole lot of marine eye candy—from Harken hardware to AkzoNobel paint. Stop by throughout the show to catch the action, meet the crew, and gather inspiration for your own refit project.
Race Boats On Display
If fast boats make your heart skip a beat, you’ll want to head straight for the docks at the 2025 Annapolis Sailboat Show. This year’s raceboat lineup features sleek newcomers and proven performers, including two U.S. premieres: the ClubSwan 28 and the Auster Yachts Z28. The ClubSwan 28 delivers grand prix thrills in a nimble, one-design package—think over 900 square feet of downwind sail power and Swan’s signature precision. The Z28, on the other hand, marries high-performance racing with day-sailer comfort, offering a versatile platform with a lifting keel, customizable layout, and the purebred Z28R version for hardcore racers.
Also flying into the spotlight—literally—is the Birdyfish, a hydrofoiling dinghy presented by East Coast Sailboats. Designed to make foiling fun, safe, and accessible, the Birdyfish rises effortlessly onto its foils and delivers lift-off level excitement. Whether you’re chasing the podium or just want to feel the breeze at top speed, this year’s show has a raceboat with your name on it.
The Gear is Here
When it comes to performance sailing, the right gear can mean the difference between leading the fleet and lagging behind. Fortunately, the Annapolis Sailboat Show is stacked with exhibitors showcasing the latest in high-performance apparel, hardware, and technology. Whether you’re looking for lightweight foulies, carbon fiber upgrades, or a new instrument package to dial in your tactics, you’ll find gear designed to help you sail smarter, faster, and safer. Bring your questions—many brands are staffed by sailors who race what they sell and are ready to talk shop.
High Performance Education
For racers who want to sharpen their skills—or just hear some seriously salty stories—the Annapolis Sailboat Show offers a lineup of free seminars packed with firsthand insights and hard-earned lessons. Held daily in the Yacht Basin Seminar Tent, these sessions spotlight some of the sport’s most inspiring voices.
Thursday kicks off with Team Allegiant, the all-women crew that made history in the Annapolis to Newport Race, sharing how they went from club racers to offshore contenders. On Friday, solo sailor Ronnie Simpson takes the mic to discuss his upcoming campaign in the 2027 Global Solo Challenge. Saturday brings Annapolis’s own Jahn Tihansky with tales from the Everglades Challenge—a 300-mile adventure race that’s as wild as it sounds. Finally, on Sunday, get the inside scoop on the 2026 Annapolis to Bermuda Race from the organizers and past participants. Click here for the full schedule.
Whether you’re plotting your own offshore campaign or just want to live vicariously, these seminars are a must-stop for anyone with a racing mindset.
Ready to Join the Action?
Ready to see what peak performance looks like—up close and on the water? Racing enthusiasts, this is your signal. From boats to gear to brain fuel, it’s all waiting at the Annapolis Sailboat Show.
Buy your tickets today and make this your most action-packed dock walk yet.