Six Boats to Make World and North American Debuts Afloat at 2026 Annapolis Boat Shows
Date: September 21, 2026For Immediate Release | When the first Annapolis boat show opened at City Dock in October 1970, most boat shows were held indoors, in convention centers that limited the size of the boats on display. More than five decades later, the Annapolis shows still put new models in the water, including this fall’s world premieres and North American debuts. The Annapolis Powerboat Show runs Oct. 8-11, followed by the Annapolis Sailboat Show, Oct. 15-18.
Annapolis Powerboat Show World Premiere
Askari 65
LOA: 65’ 7” (20 m)
Beam: 16’ 5” (5 m)
Propulsion: 2 x Yanmar 4LV170
The Askari 65 is an aluminum long-range cruiser built in Cape Town, South Africa, by Askari Yachts and designed by Du Toit Yacht Design. Twin Yanmar diesels and a 1,228-gallon fuel capacity give it an estimated range of 2,300 nautical miles at its 8.5-knot cruising speed. Because Askari fabricates in aluminum rather than building from production molds, layouts can be adapted to each owner, and hull No. 1 is configured with four double cabins, each with its own head.
Learn more: https://askariyachts.com/askari-65-power/
Annapolis Sailboat Show World Premiere
Knysna 550
LOA: 55’ (16.82 m)
Beam: 29’ 9” (9.06 m)
Draft: 4’ 11” (1.50 m)
Engines: 2 x 80 hp
Mainsail: 1440 ft2 (133.8 m2)
Genoa: 672 ft2 (62.64 m2)
Knysna Yacht Company of South Africa developed the 55-foot Knysna 550 with VDS Marine Design, and the catamaran was shortlisted for World Multihull of the Year 2026 before its public debut. Wave-piercing bows, a protected raised helm station, and about 264 gallons each of fuel and fresh water equip for extended offshore passages. Owners can order the 550SL Sky Lounge or the 550SE Solar Explorer, which adds deck space for solar panels, in three- or four-cabin layouts.
Learn more: https://www.knysnayachtco.com/model-550/
Annapolis Sailboat Show North American Debut
Aquila 45 Sail
LOA: 47’ 2” (14.38 m)
Beam: 25’ 5” (7.77 m)
Draft: 5’ 1” (1.56 m)
Engines: 2x Volvo Penta 50HP saildrives
Mainsail: 839.6 ft2 (78 m2)
Genoa: 512.1 ft2 (47.58 m2)
The 45 Sail is the second sailing model from Aquila, which built its name on power catamarans, and it arrives as a nominee for 2027 European Yacht of the Year following its world debut at the Cannes Yachting Festival. Stairs lead from the flybridge helm forward to a fixed bow cockpit and down to the aft cockpit, so a shorthanded crew can reach either end of the boat quickly. Owners choose between three- and four-cabin layouts, and every cabin has a private entrance and its own head with a shower.
Learn more: https://www.aquilaboats.com/models/sail-catamarans/45
Tartan 34
LOA: 33’ 6” (10.21 m)
Beam: 10’ 11” (3.33 m)
Draft: 6’ (1.83 m)/ 4’ 6” (1.37m) (Deep Fin/Beavertail)
Engine: 20hp diesel sterndrive
Upwind Sail Area (Main & Self-Tacking Jib): 601 ft2 (55.83 m2)
Downwind Sail Area (Main & Reacher): 845 ft2 (78.5 m2)
Built by Tartan Yachts in Painesville, Ohio, the 34 is sized for afternoon sails and weekend cruising without the upkeep a larger yacht demands. A self-tacking jib eliminates sheet handling through tacks, and setting the reacher off the wind raises sail area from 601 to 845 square feet. Keel options include a 6-foot fin and a Beavertail that draws 4 feet 6 inches for shallow cruising grounds such as the Chesapeake.
Learn more: https://tartanyachts.com/models/tartan-34/
Vaan R4
LOA: 42’ (12.80 m)
Beam: 23’ 2” (7.06 m)
Draft: 4’ 3” (1.30 m)/ 6’ 5” (1.95 m) (retractable centerboard optional)
Engines: 2 x electric saildrives
Mainsail: 592ft2 (55 m2)
Jib: 322 ft2 (30 m2)
Code-0: 915 ft2 (85 m2)
Gennaker: 1453 ft2 (135 m2)
The 42-foot Vaan R4 from Dutch builder Vaan Yachts has a hull made from 60% recycled aluminum, and it can be recycled again at the end of the boat’s service life. Twin electric saildrives replace diesel engines, and the batteries recharge from solar panels and from energy recovered while sailing. The cockpit and saloon share one level, and the helm sits at the aft end of the cockpit rather than up on the cabin top, which keeps whoever is steering close to the water and the crew.
Learn more: https://www.vaan.yachts/r4/
Voyage 510
LOA: 51’ 1” (15.8 m)
Beam: 26’ 11” (8.2 m)
Draft: 4’ 11” (1.5 m)
Engine: 2 x Yanmar 57hp (42 kW) shaft drive
Sail Area (standard): 1,737 ft2 (161.4 m2)
Voyage Yachts builds the 51-foot Voyage 510 in Cape Town, South Africa, as a more compact sibling to the Voyage 590, which won Best Charter Boat in Cruising World’s 2022 Boat of the Year awards. Sail and vessel controls are consolidated at a single raised helm station, making the 510 manageable for a small crew. Four cabins with private heads come standard, and twin 57-horsepower Yanmar diesels on shaft drives deliver a 9-knot cruising speed.
Learn more: https://www.voyageyachts.com/catamarans/voyage-510
In addition to these premieres, many other models will be making their first appearance at an Annapolis boat show this fall, giving visitors the chance to step aboard boats they may have only seen online or in print. Premiering and new models, along with the full list of boats on display, can be found on each show’s website.
Annapolis Powerboat Show: Premieres and New Models | Boats on Display
Annapolis Sailboat Show: Premieres and New Models | Boats on Display
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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.
Media Assets: High-resolution photos and logos are available here.
RSVP for Media Breakfast: Starting at 8:30 a.m. on the opening Thursday of both shows (10/8 for Power, 10/15 for Sail) there will be a media breakfast held in the seminar tent. RSVP and apply for credentials here.