March 28, 2024
Annapolis, US 47 F

A little bad weather can’t keep the 2017 US Powerboat Show down

Rain and flooding tried to keep this show down, but the powerboat industry and pent up demand won out.  With year over year exhibitor space increases of 17.3 percent, attendance growth of 4.8 percent, and reports of high sales volumes, the 2017 United States Powerboat Show in Annapolis confirmed that the maritime economy is powering ahead and boat sales are alive and well.  Although weather impacted the first two days of the show, Saturday’s attendance exploded into the largest powerboat show day in recorded history, and Sunday completed the weekend with a very busy afternoon.
Gavin Buckley - Democrat for Mayor
“We have returned to the glory days of Annapolis power boat shows. Not only has the size of the show grown by 30 percent over the past two years, attendance has now eclipsed all previous years of the last decade,” said Paul Jacobs, president and general manager of Annapolis Boat Shows.  “Everyone involved stepped up the quality and size of their displays and presented a brand new and improved look to a very large consumer audience.”

The show featured an entirely new tented arena structure covering two large city parking lots, expanded floating docks, 30,000 square feet of new land space, a floating pavilion for the LH Finance sponsored VIP Red Carpet Lounge, and 573 boats from around the globe in every size and shape.

“Despite uncooperating weather we saw a 40 percent increase in deals written at the show with lots of deals still in the works. Overall it was the best show in this region that we have been part of in the past five years,” said Bryan Braley of Grande Yachts International.

Throngs of people filled the display tents and the coffers of nearly 500 vendors of marine product and lifestyle items. John Riccardi of Hat Trick Embroidery had his “Best show in ten years.”

Hospitality food and drink venues echoed with merry making and fun.  Water taxis stayed in constant motion between the docks of the main show and nearby Brokerage Cove, home to 55 “previously loved” boats.

“Brokerage Cove was great as usual and despite the rain we saw a strong Friday through Sunday crowd. We expect to set up a nice run of closed deals in the next several weeks,” said Marc Benvenuto of Knot 10 Yacht Sales.
People everywhere seemed happy, entertained, and looking for interesting purchases and boats to fulfill their hopes and dreams.

More than $250,000 was raised in an effort to support the maritime industry hardest hit by the destruction of Hurricanes Irma and Maria. Annapolis Boat Shows launched “Hands Across the Transom Hurricane Relief” as a community effort that included more than two-dozen exhibitors, many like-minded Annapolis businesses, and hundreds of boaters who all came together to raise funds for hurricane relief.

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