Boats, bands & beagles at New England’s first in-water boat show of 2024
The three-day CT Spring Boat Show aims to raise $30,000 for Sails Up 4 Cancer in Essex
CT Spring Boat Show
Safe Harbor Essex Island • 11 Ferry St, Essex, CT 06426
April 26-28, 2024
See ticket information below
CT Spring Boat Show
The 8th Connecticut Spring Boat Show will take place April 26-28, 2024 at Safe Harbor Essex Island, located in Essex, CT. The in-water boat show will raise funds for Sails Up 4 Cancer (SU4C), a non-profit organization supporting cancer care, education, prevention and research. Sails Up 4 Cancer will benefit from 50% of ticket sales proceeds. This year’s show aims to raise $30,000 for the non-profit.
Visitors will enjoy seeing over 60 new and brokerage, power and sailboat models of all sizes, including many yachts over 40FT. Come see the latest models offered from Axopar, Beneteau, Boston Whaler, BayLiner, Caymas, Eastern, Elan, Everglades, Galeon, Grande, Grand Banks, GSX, Jeanneau, Monterey, Nautic Star, Nimbus, Nordic Tug, NX, Pilots Point, Ryck, Rossiter, Scout, Sea Born, Sea Pro, Sea Ray, SeaWay, Solaris, Sting Ray, Tartan, Tiarra, True North, and many other leading boat brands! A unique feature of the in-water show offers interested boat buyers select opportunities for sea trials throughout the weekend; thus, giving prospective buyers a unique ‘try-before-you-buy’ experience.
Show attendees will have an ideal opportunity to compare different boats, dealers and options in one beautiful location. In addition to boats on the docks, the show will have over 40 exhibitors on display including yacht brokers, boat gear, artists, accessories, and service companies on the lawn. New this year, All Paws on Deck will be on the lawn with puppies and dogs available for adoption. An application should be filled out in advance of the show here.
Happenings at the 2024 CT Spring Boat Show include educational talks by experts on fishing and boating for couples, live music all weekend long, food, family fun and more! The boat show offers something for everyone; boats, coastal lifestyle exhibits, live music and more!
Friday, April 26th
Live Music
3:30 – 6:00pm SoundWaves offers an acoustic repertoire covering an eclectic range of styles, including old standards to contemporary.
Saturday, April 27th
Live Music
11:30am – 2:00pm Wooly Mammoth officially started in 2013, most of the players have been jamming together for years in various places, parties, open mic nights and wherever they found each other with instruments lying around.
2:30 – 5:00pm The Fake Experience is an authentic blend of rock, reggae, pop, country, and original material that keeps the party going.
Couples Boating Talks
2:00-3:00pm – Boating for Couples presented by Mark Vining
Mark owns Safe Boating Connecticut and has taught thousands so they can get their boating license in CT. In this talk, he will educate on how to handle some of the situations like docking or leaving the dock that make voices rise!
3:00-4:00pm – Making Sailing More Fun presented by Ben Cesare
Multi – time national champion and Publisher of WindCheck Magazine, Ben Cesare uses humor and analogies to teach basic sail controls that will help you enjoy sailing more.
4pm-5pm – Anchoring, Mooring and Departing…without the yelling!
Come learn how to make these maneuvers easier.
Special Fundraiser Cruise
5:30 – 7:30pm Sunset Cocktail and Dinner Cruise for Sails Up 4 Cancer
Help raise funds for Sails Up 4 Cancer while enjoying a sunset cocktail cruise on ADVENTURE, a beautifully restored 65-foot vintage riverboat, sponsored by Essex Steam Train & Riverboat Cruises. On board you will find an enclosed lower cabin with table seating and a hand crafted, full-service wooden bar.
Tickets for the fundraiser are $50/pp and includes sunset cruise, one complimentary glass of Angelini Prosecco Rose, donated by Angelini Wine, passed chef-catered hors d’oeuvres, and cash bar available on board. Purchase tickets in advance at windcheckmagazine.com/shop
Sunday, April 28th
Live Music
12:00 – 2:00pm The Vitas bring a unique blend of grunge and classic rock music to their original songs, creating a sound that is both nostalgic and fresh.
2:30 – 5:00pm Cherry Pie Band Jump, jive, and kick your heels up to swing, rockabilly, Latin and a few sultry ballads thrown in just for fun. Cherry Pie…mmm, sounds delicious!
Maritime & Fishing Talks
1:30 – 2:00pm Bill Lucey, Long Island Sound Keeper
2:15 – 3:00pm Matt Stone, Kayak fishing for striped bass
3:15 – 4:00pm Captain Brian Moskey, Proactive offshore fishing
3 Day CT Spring Boat Show Tickets will be offered in advance at $20 per adult and free for children 13 and under, or $22 tickets the day of the show, granting access to the show and talks all weekend long, rain or shine. 50% of the proceeds will benefit Sails Up 4 Cancer, a non-profit organization and local charity who distributes funds to families impacted by cancer. Advance tickets can be purchased by clicking here.
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