Browse hundreds of boats and enjoy free activities for the whole family at the Gulf Coast’s premier boating lifestyle event
The 40th annual St. Petersburg Power and Sailboat Show, the largest in-water boat show on Florida’s Gulf Coast, is set to take place Thursday, November 30 to Sunday, December 3 along the picturesque downtown waterfront at the Duke Energy Center for the Arts-Mahaffey Theater Yacht Basin and Albert Whitted Park.
The show will feature nearly 400 power and sailboats on display in water and on land, including family cruisers, runabouts, fishing boats, sailing yachts, and personal watercraft, in addition to a 40,000-square-foot exhibit tent housing all types of marine gear.
A sampling of the new boats that will be on display at this year’s show include the Four Winns Vista 375, Chaparral 337SSX, Everglades 325 CC, Cutwater 24 and the Ranger Tug R-23, among many other new and brokerage powerboats, in addition to spectacular sailboat brands such as Catalina, Hunter, Jeaneau, Fountain Pajot, Gemini and Beneteau. A complete list of boats and products can be found on the show’s website: StPeteBoatShow.com
“We’ve enjoyed being a part of the St. Pete boating community for 40 years,” said Andrew Doole of Informa Exhibitions, the company that owns produces the event. “Due to increasing demand for boats of all sizes and all the new marine gear that supports the boating lifestyle, we have added another 4,000 square feet of exhibit space to the show’s footprint and fifty more boats than last year.”
In addition to the impressive selection of power and sail boats, the show also features educational activities and fun-filled special events for attendees, including sailing clinics by Sail America, IGFA School of Sportfishing seminars, and youth fishing clinics presented by nonprofit Hook the Future, plus live musical entertainment, dining and refreshments.
Sail America Cruising Seminars
Sail America will offer free and for-fee seminars in four different show locations. Well-known experts will host their own series on a variety of topics, including sailing destinations, weather, tides, cruising on a budget, sail trim, voyage planning, electronics, cruising for couples, catamaran cruising, storm strategies and more. To register, visit the show’s website and view the special events.
Sail America Discover Sailing Series
Boat show visitors are invited to learn new skills, or improve their sailing abilities with on-thewater, hands-on clinics. Classes include docking, anchoring and catamaran sailing by Sailing Florida Charters and the American Sailing Association. To register, visit the show’s website and view the special events.
IGFA School of Sportfishing
The International Game Fish Association’s (IGFA) highly acclaimed School of Sportfishing will host onsite seminars during the show with some of the area’s best captains. All of the seminars are free with admission. Each seminar will touch upon different angling topics and will include one-on-one questions with the area’s top professional captains. Topics include master the flats for redfish, snook and trout; targeting gamefish on nearshore wrecks and reefs; bluewater pelagics off Florida’s West Coast; and pro tips for Tampa tarpon.
Free Children’s Fishing Clinics
On Saturday and Sunday, December 2 and 3, Hook the Future Kids’ Fishing Clinics will be offered, free, for children ages 4-16. Captain Don Dingman will take kids through various educational stations where they will win prizes while learning basic fishing techniques. Sessions are at noon and 2 p.m. each day, located at the east end of the show.
Cruisers’ Party
On Saturday, December 2 at 7 p.m., the annual Cruisers’ Party, presented by Cruising Outpost
Magazine, will take place on the Gosling’s & Budweiser Floating Cocktail Lounge inside the show. The party will feature live entertainment, food, beverages and prizes. Guests must be inside the show before 7 p.m. to gain access to the event.
Getting to the Show
Onsite boat show parking is available at one of the many surrounding municipal parking garages. The Downtown Looper Trolley stops on First Street near the Mahaffey Theater.
More Information
Connect with the show on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @StPeteBoatShow and tune into
Boat Show TV at youtube.com/showmanagement. Download the show’s app, MyBoatShow, on smartphones. For more information, call 954-764-7642 or 800-940-7642, or visit www.StPeteBoatShow.com
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