The U.S. Sailboat Show comes to town this week with increased ticket sales and a renewed effort to attract young people. Despite rainy weather, the floating docks are in place at City Dock in Annapolis and the first of 200 sailboats are expected today. Ticket sales have increased 61 percent and organizers attribute that to the Beneteau First 22 sailboat offered as a grand prize. The show, which began in 1970, runs Thursday through Monday, Oct. 12.
The United States Sailboat Show comes to town this week with increased ticket sales and a renewed effort to attract young people.
Despite rainy weather, the floating docks are in place at City Dock in Annapolis and the first of 200 sailboats are expected today.
Ticket sales have increased 61 percent this year. Organizers attribute that to the Beneteau First 22 sailboat offered as a grand prize.
The show, which began in 1970, runs Thursday through Monday, Oct. 12.
Between this week and next, when the United States Powerboat Show comes to town, as many as 90,000 people will be in Annapolis, filling up hotels and visiting shops. Annapolis Boat Shows, which runs both events, pays about $600,000 to lease parking lots and nearby property for vendors, classes and show-related activities.
“It is part of our branding,” said Alderman Ross Arnett, D-Ward 8. “When you think of boat shows, you think of Annapolis.”
While boating as an industry has recovered somewhat from the recession, there are still concerns about the long-term prospects of the hobby.
“We have a maturing audience, that’s for sure,” said Paul Jacobs, president and general manager of Annapolis Boat Shows. “We don’t bring in enough young people.”
Children 6 and younger can attend the shows for free. Organizers hope early exposure will get them interested in boating.
This year, a first-time sailing workshop will be offered, providing participants a chance to get classroom and on-the-water training on the Beneteau.
A similar workshop was offered at the Annapolis Spring Sailboat Show.
“There are people who have grown up in Annapolis and never been on a sailboat,” said Stacey DeChant, marketing director for Annapolis Yacht Sales. “They feel like it’s too expensive, too difficult, and they’ll say, ‘It’s not available to me’ — and it really is.”
The company will be displaying 15 sailboats, including 10 Beneteau models.
Jeanneau America will have nine boats on display, including two new 2016 yachts — Jeanneau 64 and 54.
“The smallest boat we have is our 34-foot and that’s a fantastic boat for an entry-level (sailor),” said Paul Fenn of the company’s Annapolis office. “It’s a cruising boat and perfect for a family of four.
“What we’re seeing with our yacht series (is) a lot of middle-aged people, meaning 50ish with families, buying a 64-foot boat … It’s actually grandparents looking to take their grandchildren and children sailing.”
Exhibitors said they’re not worried rain will put a damper on the show.
“Sailors are a pretty hard-core group and rain doesn’t scare them away,” DeChant said. “Sailors know how to deal with surprises and difficult scenarios.”
The U.S. Sailboat Show runs Thursday through Monday, Oct. 12 at City Dock in Annapolis. Tickets cost $18 for adults, $5 for children and free for those 6 and under. Visit www.annapolisboatshows.com.