5 Tips for Getting on a Boat at the Boat Show

We recently talked with Mary Ewenson from the Annapolis Boat Shows team, and she shared with us what showgoers should expect and some common faux pas to avoid.

Here’s what she told us:

1. Offer your name and contact info. When you get on a boat, you’ll probably be asked for your name and contact information — don’t be offended. It’s not that anyone is trying to stalk you or sell your info. Instead, the people who are showing the boat want to keep track of everyone who is coming aboard. They may follow up with you later to see whether you’re interested in buying the boat, but that’s what they’re supposed to do. It’s completely alright to get on a boat without any expectations.

2. Be ready to take your shoes off. Most boats are going to be on a no-shoes policy, at least for the show. That’s because shoes tend to be pretty dirty and all those shoes could track a lot of dirt onto the boat deck (or worse, onto the carpeted living quarters). There’s also the risk that shoes could scuff the boat deck. Because of this, it’s best to wear shoes that are easy to slip on and off, like flip-flops or the unofficial footwear of Annapolis, Sperrys. 

3. Be courteous that this is somebody’s property. Think of the boat as somebody’s home and show the same manners. Most people don’t want you parading through their living room with an open container of greasy takeout or opening up every cabinet and cupboard you see. It’s best to leave all food and drink on shore. And if you’ve got kids with you, have a constructive chat with them ahead of time about proper behavior.

4. Ask before coming aboard. There’s no secret password or formal request you need to make, so don’t overthink what you need to say. But it can feel a little invasive to just step aboard completely unannounced. A friendly, “Hi, is it okay if we get on?” is all you need to say. Boat dealers will be happy to have you, but they may need you to wait a few minutes because they already have too many people aboard or they just finished some cleaning. 

‍5. Don’t be afraid to be curious. Some people are a little too comfortable crossing boundaries, but then there are the people who are the complete opposite: They hold themselves back, either because they don’t want to impose or they don’t want to seem like noobs. The boat dealers want to share with you, so don’t be afraid to get on as many boats as you can or ask any questions that come to mind. It’s all part of the experience!

Going to the Annapolis Powerboat Show?

Ready to see some boats? The Annapolis Powerboat Show is October 3–6 at City Dock in beautiful downtown Annapolis. Tickets at the gate are $30 but if you buy online, you can save some money!