Annapolis Powerboat Show: Meet The Vessels, People Behind This Year's Show

ANNAPOLIS, MD - City Dock is currently a boater's haven. Massive yachts, brand-new boats and innovative technologies are packed into Ego Alley for the Annapolis Powerboat Show.

Over 300 boats are on display. There's everything from multi-million dollar vessels to used options in a brokerage cove.

"This is the new boat mecca," show spokesperson Mary Ewenson said, pointing to all the new boats for sale. "It's bigger than anything we've had since 2019."

Patch visited the show on Thursday's opening day.

The most expensive yacht that we explored was the 67-foot 2024 Sunseeker Predator 65. This vessel offered a full galley, three staterooms and 2.5 baths. It usually costs $4.5 million, but it was on sale for $3.8 million at the show. Our video tour is posted here.

Other boats are premiering at the show, meaning this is the first time they've ever been on display.

The 31-foot Solara 2024 S-310 SC was one of those premiers. This $411,000 cruiser fits all the amenities of a yacht into a compact footprint. Technology highlights included the autopilot, front-and-rear cameras and an optional joystick. The built-in grill, cooler and wine fridge aided entertaining. Seating areas at the bow and stern rounded out the boat with a single-bed cabin and a full head. Watch our walk-through tour here.

Electric boats were also on display, with some for sale and others available for rent. 

This electric boat from Electrified Marina took visitors on free test rides around the harbor. (Jacob Baumgart/Patch)

Electrified Marina brought two of their boats that are available for rent in Norfolk, Virginia. There was a smaller gondola-style boat with a table for a date night. This one only putts around. There was also a larger day-tripper boat that peaked at around 35 knots. Two hours on either boat costs about $200 on weekdays and $250 on weekends. Our ride-along video is available here.

Related: Multi-Million Dollar Yachts, Brand-New Vessels At Annapolis Powerboat Show: Videos

ePropulsion displayed a rechargeable electric dinghy motor. The company billed it as a light, transportable and green alternative to traditional, gas-powered, pull-to-start dinghy engines.

An in-water dry docking mat called SeaPen also drew a crowd, offering a replacement for boat lifts. The mat floats on the water, and captains drive their vessels on top of it. The hull stays dry, removing the need for bottom paint or a view-blocking lift. The mats can hold medium-sized fishing boats to large yachts. Models start at around $20,000. 

This SeaPen floating mat offers a dry docking alternative to boat lifts. (Jacob Baumgart/Patch)

Show attendees ranged from boat enthusiasts to potential buyers.

Alise Butkevics and her husband were considering buying a pilothouse with an enclosed helm. The Severna Park couple hopes this would extend their fishing season later into the winter and shield them from rainy summer evenings.

"We actually bought our first boat at the Annapolis Boat Show in 2019," Butkevics said, pointing to their previous 19-foot Sea Ray bowrider. "Even if we are not necessarily buying a boat today, the boat show is an amazing opportunity to see what's out there to find a great deal."

Ken Keir is a Chesapeake Bay and Florida boater who enjoys browsing the latest features from his favorite manufacturers.

"I'm here because I love boats," said Keir, who keeps his boat at Herrington Harbour North in Tracy's Landing. "I love the Cutwater Boats and the Ranger Tugs. I always come over and look at them. I own a Cutwater, so I always want to see the new models."

More than 300 boats filled Ego Alley. (Jacob Baumgart/Patch)

Educational opportunities were also abundant at the show. BoatU.S. had in-water captain's lessons, and there were also informative panel discussions.

Other information booths had serious messages to share.

One father, Dave Ash, had a stand telling the story of his 23-year-old daughter who died in a boating accident on Labor Day weekend 2020. His daughter, Hannah Ash, had just moved to Kent Island and was about to start her job as a communications director at the Talbot Country Club when she hit a sandbar during low tide. She was ejected from the boat and died from her injuries.

Her story inspired Hannah's Marine Awareness, a nonprofit urging boaters to check the tide and gather safety equipment before leaving the dock. Hannah's Marine Awareness has since placed 29 safety signs across several states, from Maryland to California. These signs have QR codes linking to the real-time tide and marine conditions at that location.

"What we want to do is try and educate people so that what happened to us doesn't happen to any other family," Dave Ash said. "Something like what happened to Hannah can happen in a split second, and it's just a matter of taking the time to make sure you're aware."

Dave Ash, shown here, promoted maritime safety with his nonprofit called Hannah's Marine Awareness. (Jacob Baumgart/Patch)

The Annapolis Powerboat Show is open through Sunday. The Annapolis Sailboat Show follows next weekend.

Read our show guide for more information on tickets, hours and parking. 

Our photo and video gallery from opening day is posted here.

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