The Annapolis Powerboat Show is officially our first boat show of the year, and as someone from Virginia, it always feels especially close to home. Annapolis is an easy trip from Northern Virginia, but the show has a personality all its own: historic waterfront views, a walkable downtown, Chesapeake Bay boating culture, and docks packed with everything from family-friendly center consoles to larger cruising and sportfishing boats.
This year’s Annapolis Powerboat Show takes place October 8–11 at City Dock in Annapolis. The event transforms the waterfront into a temporary marina, with floating docks full of new powerboats, accessories, equipment, apparel, and boating education opportunities. It is a great place whether you are shopping seriously, comparing models, looking for new gear, or simply getting inspired for next season on the water.
What We’ll Be Watching: For Boat Updates, the show is not just about stepping aboard the biggest boats on the docks—although we will absolutely be doing that. We will be keeping an eye out for the things that can make time on the water more practical, more enjoyable, and more connected.
Here are a few things we are excited to check out:
New powerboat models, especially center consoles, dual consoles, cruisers, and boats designed for fishing, entertaining, and family days on the Chesapeake.
New marine technology, including navigation electronics, boat-monitoring tools, engine innovations, safety products, and onboard connectivity.
Fishing and watersports gear, from tackle and accessories to products that make a day on the water easier for the whole crew.
Apparel, dockside essentials, and lifestyle brands that bring the boating community together beyond the boat itself.
Exhibitor activations, live product demonstrations, and conversations with the builders, dealers, and marine brands behind the products.
Seminars and educational sessions for boaters at every stage, whether you are buying your first boat, upgrading, maintaining your current vessel, or simply looking to become more confident on the water.
The official boat list is also worth checking before arriving. New exhibitors are added regularly, so making a short “must-see” list can help you use your time on the docks more efficiently.
Find Boat Updates: If you are heading to Annapolis, keep an eye out for us on the docks, around City Dock, and throughout downtown. We will be capturing the boats, brands, demos, gear, and conversations that stand out during the weekend.
Follow @boatupdates on Instagram for show-floor coverage, quick videos, favorite finds, and real-time updates from Annapolis. If you see us, please introduce yourself. We always enjoy meeting fellow boaters, learning what people are shopping for, and hearing which boats or brands everyone is most excited about.
Where To Eat: One of the best parts of an Annapolis boat show weekend is that you can leave the docks and quickly find great food, waterfront views, and classic Maryland hospitality. Based on Yelp’s current Annapolis restaurant listings, these are a few spots worth adding to your weekend plans:
Boatyard Bar & Grill - A classic Annapolis boating-community stop with a casual, lively atmosphere—ideal for post-show food and drinks. Yelp currently lists it at the top of its Annapolis restaurant search results, with more than 2,500 reviews.
Bread and Butter Kitchen - A good choice for breakfast, coffee, or a lighter meal before a full day walking the docks. It is also among Yelp’s highest-listed Annapolis options.
Seasalt - A strong pick for visitors looking for a more polished seafood-focused meal after the show. Yelp places it near the top of its local results.
Iron Rooster - A casual, comfort-food stop that works well for brunch, a relaxed dinner, or refueling after a long day at City Dock.
Reservations are a smart move during show weekend, especially for dinner. Annapolis gets busy, and the best places fill up quickly once the docks close.
Annapolis Soundtrack: While you are driving in, walking the docks, or winding down after dinner, give Luke Borchelt a listen. He is a rising country singer-songwriter and proud Maryland native whose music brings a local Mid-Atlantic personality to country music. Tracks including "Water Town," “Maryland Life,” “Car Heat,” and “Same Old Square” make an easy addition to a Chesapeake boat-show-weekend playlist.
We are excited to begin the season in Annapolis, support the marine brands and people who keep this community moving, and share what catches our attention along the way. See you at the show.