Our Perfect Day at the Annapolis Powerboat Show

First stop: My top boats

The Annapolis Powerboat Show is great because they publish all the boats coming on the website. This year I’m most excited about the Grand Banks 54, Princess S65, Riviera 5400 Sport, and the two Sabre 48s. Yes, those are all some of the biggest boats in the show. I have a type.

So I’m going to look at the map and head to those boats first. Even big boats are tight spaces and brokers like people to have an excellent experience so they don’t crowd people. The faster I get to those boats, the better chance I have of getting on all five.

We have a full story about boat show boarding etiquette. It’s not as hard as it seems.

Next up: Visit my clients and partners

This one’s a bit unique to Naptown Scoop but everyone can network at the boat show. It’s a fantastic place to meet people and the full exhibitor list (and map) is available online. Here’s who’s on my list to visit:

• Blue Star Paint & Property Services
• Chesapeake Boating Club
• Chesapeake Urology Associates
• Helly Hansen
• Local Coast
• Made+
• Summer Classics
• Tri-State Marine
• TTR Sotheby’s International Realty
• The Choptank

It isn’t just marine companies that exhibit at the boat shows. You’ll notice that on my list of 10 partners, only 2 are true “boating” companies. I’m not counting Helly Hansen as a boating company even though their tough gear is perfect for boating.

Time for a drink

Boat shows are like airports because it’s 100% acceptable to drink before noon. Luckily they never lose your luggage or cancel your flight.

Pusser’s is a boat show classic and I will absolutely hit it for at least 2 painkillers on boat show weekend. My preference is a #4. For the uninitiated, you can order a #3, #4, or #5. The number corresponds to the amount of rum.

The Choptank is a relative newcomer to the boat shows. In the past, they’ve set up a special outdoor crush bar so you don’t even have to come inside to get a drink. Even though Choptank is outside of the boat show fence, there’s a gate right there so it’s an easy trip and you can bring your crushes back inside. I love Choptank’s grapefruit crush.

No trip to the boat show is complete without a trip to the Fleet Reserve Club (especially because it’s the only time it’s open to non-members), but since it’s more famous for food than drinks, I’ll save that for the next section.

What’s for lunch?

Two words. Pit Beef.

Every year, the Fleet Reserve Club slings some of the tastiest pit beef you’ll ever eat. And they cook it right on the dock. It’s by far the fastest meal you can get at the shows. Even though it’s crowded, I usually manage to find a seat because of all the extra tables they put upstairs. Which is a good thing because I always visit the upstairs bar for beer.

There are more choices inside at the Fleet (as locals call it), but I always stick with the pit beef. Bring cash. It’s the fastest payment method here.

If I have more time and want a sit down experience, the Choptank is my choice. I always hope to get lucky and get a cableside table on the second floor so I have the absolute best view of the boat show. My go-to is their burger because it’s inexpensive, delicious, and easy to eat. But you can’t go wrong with anything here.

Back to the show

After lunch and a drink or two, I’m out of “mission mode.” I’ve seen the boats I came to board. I’ve chatted with the people I needed to see. And it’s time to chill.

From now until I leave the show, I’ll just walk around, discover new boats I didn’t come to see but still think are awesome, see old friends (one of the best parts of the boat show), and make new friends.

I usually end up finding something I like to buy and having another drink or two. By 4 or 5 PM, I’m ready to find some dinner. Walking across the Eastport Bridge to Boatyard is always a great options. Or Vin 909.

No matter how you Boat Show, we hope to see you there. If you see anyone from the Scoop team downtown during the Annapolis Powerboat Show, don’t hesitate to say hi! The Annapolis Powerboat Show is October 3–6 in downtown Annapolis.