2026 Annapolis Powerboat Show dates and hours
The 2026 Annapolis Powerboat Show runs Thursday, October 8 through Sunday, October 11 at City Dock in Annapolis, Maryland. Current published hours are 10:00 a.m.–6:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. Sunday. Preview Day is Thursday, Oct. 8. The show will use a redesigned City Dock footprint because of the resiliency project. Recent event coverage has cited both 350+ and 400+ boats, while the official exhibitor list continues to change, so ABG treats the exact boat count as fluid.
Current hours are corroborated by 2026 exhibitor/dealer event pages; ticket pricing is from the official 2026 ticket portal.
2026 Annapolis Powerboat Show exhibitor and boat list update
The show is staying at City Dock, but the construction-driven layout is now clearer. The traditional A and B exhibit tents will not be used; other tents are being expanded, and portions of the show will extend farther onto Compromise and Randall streets. New gathering areas are also being added, and current show coverage describes four new bar/social areas across the redesigned footprint.
- More Nord Star cross-shops are confirmed. ABG's Sep. 25 check of the live boat list confirms Axopar 29, 38 and 45 at Dock A1; Targa 37, 41 and 46 at Dock A1; Saxdor 400 GTC at Dock B; Navan C30 and S30 at Dock C; Pursuit OS445 at Dock B; Back Cove 372 and 39O; plus Nimbus T9 and W9 at Dock C, Nimbus T11 at Dock B and Nimbus W11 at Dock C. The official list still does not show Nord Star or Sargo.
- Nord Star still does not appear on the official boat list. That keeps the 36+ demand poll relevant for Chesapeake buyers who want to see the Finnish all-weather alternative alongside the current field.
- The Askari 65 is scheduled for a world premiere. Separate from the ABG cross-shop set, it is one of the headline new-boat debuts announced for the show.
- Programming is now much clearer. The PropTalk Demo Dock returns with select sea trials, BoatUS is running three-hour small-group On-Water Training, free seminars are planned throughout the weekend, and Kids Corner adds Chesapeake Bay-themed activities plus a rubber-duck hunt. Current coverage also describes four bar/social areas around the grounds.
ABG verified the competitor models against the live exhibitor boat list on Sep. 25. Show programming and the revised City Dock layout are based on current Annapolis event coverage; details can still change before October.
Official 2026 exhibitor boat list → The organizer notes that new exhibitors are added every day, so ABG treats the list as a live dataset rather than a final roster.
2026 ticket prices
| Ticket | Current price | Valid |
|---|---|---|
| Preview Day | $45 | Thursday, Oct. 8; may be used one day only |
| General Admission | $32 | One day, Oct. 9–11 |
| Child ages 7–15 | $10 | One day, Oct. 8–11; age 6 and under free |
| Military Sunday | $22 | Sunday, Oct. 11; eligibility/ID rules apply |
| Preview + General combo | $72 | Thursday plus one general-admission day |
| Two-day General combo | $59 | Two general-admission days, Oct. 9–11 |
Ticket prices checked Sep. 25 on the official 2026 ticket portal. Fees are included in the displayed totals; verify at checkout before purchase.
Plan your visit
Tickets, hours, parking & 2026 City Dock changes
Current admission prices, daily hours, parking strategy and the Oct. 10 Navy football complication.
Plan the logistics →Boat listBest boats to see at the 2026 show
A buyer-focused shortlist from the live exhibitor list, including dock locations where published.
See the boat shortlist →ABG specialtyPilothouse & all-weather boats at Annapolis
The protected-helm boats most relevant to year-round Chesapeake and offshore buyers.
See pilothouse picks →First visitFirst-timer's Annapolis Powerboat Show guide
Which day to attend, what to wear, how to board efficiently and what serious buyers should ask.
Read first-timer guide →The adventure and pilothouse boats on ABG's watch list
Rather than list every powerboat at the show, these are the boats most relevant to an ABG reader evaluating weather protection, offshore capability, family cruising, year-round usability and premium ownership.
Axopar 38
38.9 ft · East Coast Yacht Sales
The new-generation Axopar 38 is one of the clearest performance-oriented alternatives to a Nord Star 36+. It brings an outboard-first, modular crossover philosophy to roughly the same size class.
Compare Nord Star vs Axopar →Targa 37
41.2 ft · East Coast Yacht Sales
Targa remains one of the most relevant Scandinavian pilothouse references. Buyers can compare its workboat-influenced walkaround layout and protected helm directly against Nord Star's more premium family-cruising proposition.
Compare Nord Star vs Targa →Nimbus T11
41 ft · ACY Yachts · Dock B
The newly listed T11 broadens the Nordic comparison set with a large outboard walkaround focused on social space, day cruising and premium open-deck versatility.
Explore Nimbus →Navan C30
33.5 ft · Chesapeake Yacht Center
The enclosed-cabin C30 is a mainstream U.S.-market example of the same broader movement toward protected, versatile adventure boats.
Back Cove 372 & 39O
42–43 ft · Back Cove Yachts
These are strong U.S. reference points for buyers who want a premium enclosed helm and long-season family cruising but prefer the Downeast tradition.
Pursuit OS445
46.6 ft · Pursuit · Dock B
The currently listed OS445 is larger than the Nord Star 36+, but it is a useful U.S.-market reference for buyers comparing premium offshore capability, outboard service familiarity, cabin utility and weather protection.
Cutwater C308 & C-32
31–33 ft · Pocket Yacht
Cutwater offers another distinctly American answer to protected, owner-operated cruising, with a different mission and speed profile than the Nordic boats.
Jeanneau NC 895 Weekender & NC 1295 Coupe
30 ft and 42 ft · Rudy Marine
The NC line is worth boarding for cabin ergonomics, family utility and weather-protected cruising — especially for buyers deciding how much deck access versus interior volume they want.
Grady-White 240 Express
34 ft · Grady-White
A useful U.S.-brand reference for buyers who prioritize offshore capability and fishing utility but still want a protected helm and overnight accommodations.
Saxdor 400 GTC
40.7 ft · MarineMax Northeast
The 400 GTC is a larger enclosed Scandinavian outboard alternative that lets buyers compare terrace-style social space and performance against a more traditional all-weather pilothouse layout.
Nord Star 36+ vs Saxdor 400 GTC →Nimbus W11
41 ft · Crusader Yacht Sales
The W11 is not a full pilothouse substitute, but it is a useful premium Scandinavian benchmark for buyers deciding how much open-air deck use they are willing to trade for greater weather protection.
Compare Nord Star vs Nimbus →Current boat models above are drawn from the show's live 2026 exhibitor list, checked Sep. 25, 2026. New exhibitors and boats are still being added, so confirm the final list before traveling.
Also worth seeing: the broader adventure-boat field
The live show list currently includes Axopar 29 and 45, Targa 41 and 46, Saxdor 400 GTC, Nimbus T9, W9 and W11, Navan S30, Pursuit DC/S models, Regulator offshore center consoles, Aquador 300 and numerous center consoles from Grady-White, Parker, Scout, Everglades, Cobia and others. Even when a boat is not a direct Nord Star substitute, boarding these boats helps clarify what matters most: side-deck security, visibility, cabin volume, ride, propulsion, cockpit utility and how much of your boating season you want to protect from weather.
Why a Nord Star 36+ would be especially relevant in Annapolis
The 36+ sits directly in the premium buyer conversation created by boats such as the Axopar 38 and Targa 37, but its value proposition is different: a handcrafted Finnish all-weather pilothouse, protected family cruising, walkaround utility and a more exclusive, low-volume ownership experience. Annapolis is also a natural market for the concept because Chesapeake buyers regularly deal with shoulder-season weather, open-Bay chop, family use and long cruising days.
Should a Nord Star 36+ come to Annapolis?
This is a quick demand check for prospective U.S. buyers. If enough qualified buyers are interested, ABG can share that demand signal with Nord Star USA. This is not a confirmation that a Nord Star will be at the show or that an on-water cruise is scheduled.
How ABG would shop the show
- Board the Axopar 38 and Targa 37 first. They create the cleanest direct context for the Nord Star 36+.
- Walk the protected-helm U.S. boats. Back Cove, Pursuit, Cutwater, Jeanneau and Grady-White show what familiar U.S. ownership alternatives deliver.
- Compare movement, not brochures. Walk the side decks, sit at the helm, check sightlines, move through the cabin and imagine a cold October or March day on the Chesapeake.
- Ask for delivered pricing. Base prices rarely capture engines, electronics, comfort packages, freight, commissioning and options.
- Decide whether you want common or distinctive. Nord Star's lower-volume U.S. presence is part of its premium appeal; the real comparison is whether its all-weather utility and exclusivity justify ordering a more individually specified boat.
ABG's Annapolis Powerboat Show coverage
Questions buyers are asking
When is the 2026 Annapolis Powerboat Show?
Thursday, October 8 through Sunday, October 11, 2026 at Annapolis City Dock.
What are the 2026 show hours?
Current published hours are 10:00 a.m.–6:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. Sunday.
How much are tickets?
Current official pricing is $45 for Preview Day, $32 for one-day general admission Friday–Sunday, $10 for children ages 7–15, and $22 for eligible military attendees on Sunday. Children 6 and under are free.
What day is best for serious boat buyers?
ABG recommends Thursday Preview Day first and Friday second because dock traffic is generally easier to manage. Saturday, Oct. 10 also overlaps with a Navy home football game at 3:30 p.m.
How many boats will be at the show?
Recent 2026 event coverage has cited both more than 350 and more than 400 boats. The official exhibitor boat list is still being updated, so the exact total remains fluid.
Is Nord Star at the 2026 Annapolis Powerboat Show?
As of ABG's Sep. 25 check, Nord Star is not on the official 2026 exhibitor boat list. ABG is collecting prospective-buyer interest in seeing a Nord Star 36+ at the show or on a private Chesapeake demo cruise.
Show information and verification
ABG checked these sources on Sep. 25, 2026. The official exhibitor list states that new exhibitors are added regularly.