Annapolis Boat Shows Puts Learning at the Center of the On-Water Experience this Fall
Date: September 14, 2026
For immediate release | Annapolis, MD – The Annapolis Boat Shows have long been a place to see the latest boats, gear, and technology, but just as important is what happens after attendees step aboard. From first-time boaters taking their first steps toward life on the water to seasoned sailors and boat owners looking to refine their skills, the Annapolis Boat Shows offer one of the most comprehensive educational experiences in the marine industry during their fall shows.
The Annapolis Powerboat Show (October 8-11) and Annapolis Sailboat Show (October 15-18) will bring together a wide range of free seminars, expert instruction, hands-on learning, and in-depth courses designed to help attendees build knowledge, develop practical skills, and become more confident on the water. Programming spans a broad range of interests and experience levels, with opportunities to learn about boating safety, navigation, weather, boat systems, cruising, seamanship, maintenance, and much more.
“Boating is a lifelong learning experience, and our shows are designed to meet people wherever they are on that journey,” said Patty Lawrence, educational coordinator for the Annapolis Boat Shows. “Someone who has never sailed before can get on a boat and experience it firsthand, while an experienced owner can spend the day learning a new skill or tackling a challenge they have encountered on the water. That range is what makes the educational experience at the Annapolis Boat Shows so valuable.”
Free seminars throughout both shows will give attendees access to experienced boaters, industry experts, and trusted marine organizations, including BoatUS, FishTalk Magazine, Marine Trades Association of Maryland, US Sailing, and more. Sessions are designed to provide practical information attendees can put to use long after they leave the show. For those ready to take a deeper dive, Cruisers University provides an extensive curriculum for sailors and powerboaters covering everything from foundational skills to advanced cruising and boat systems. Its courses offer an opportunity to spend several days learning from experienced instructors and other boating professionals in an immersive environment.
The shows also emphasize learning by doing. Hands-on opportunities allow attendees to move beyond the classroom and put new skills into practice. BoatUS takes attendees out on the water for practical, on-the-boat instruction during the Annapolis Powerboat Show. PropTalk Demo Dock offers another way to get on the water, giving qualified buyers the opportunity to sea trial select boats and experience their performance, handling, and features firsthand. For the Annapolis Sailboat Show, First Sail Workshop, presented by American Sailing in partnership with SailTime Annapolis, gives those who have never sailed before an opportunity to get on the water and experience sailing firsthand. These experiences help turn curiosity into confidence and give prospective sailors a chance to see what life on the water can actually look like.
These educational opportunities result in an experience that goes well beyond looking at boats. Attendees can explore a new interest, ask questions of experts, gain practical knowledge, practice new skills, and discover the next step in the boating journey. For longtime boaters, it is a chance to continue learning. For those just getting started, it can be the first step toward a lifetime on the water.
The Annapolis Powerboat Show takes place October 8 to 11, followed by the Annapolis Sailboat Show, October 15 to 18 at City Dock in downtown Annapolis. A complete schedule of seminars, courses, and hands-on educational opportunities is available at AnnapolisBoatShows.com.
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Annapolis Boat Shows
Founded in 1970, Annapolis Boat Shows is the producer of the world’s first and largest in-water sailboat show and a leader in premier marine events. The company hosts four annual shows on the Chesapeake Bay — including the Annapolis Sailboat Show, Annapolis Powerboat Show, Bay Bridge Boat Show at Safe Harbor Narrows Point, and Annapolis Spring Sailboat Show — that draw tens of thousands of attendees and hundreds of exhibitors from around the world. Guided by its mission to foster a thriving boating community, Annapolis Boat Shows promotes accessibility, education, community, and sustainability while setting the standard for marine events worldwide.
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Media Contact
Ryan Gullang
ryan@annapolisboatshows.com
(410) 268 8828