The Anacortes Boat & Yacht Show featuring Trawlerfest has become an annual favorite, for attendees and exhibiting businesses alike. The show opened Thursday, May 14 and closes Saturday May 16. Don’t miss your chance to check it out!

The Anacortes Boat & Yacht show is officially underway, and it’s going great. Don’t let the “spring” weather deter you, the chance to see so many boats and businesses in one place is exceptionally rewarding—and when the place is one of the region’s (world’s?!) coolest maritime towns, the experience is even better.

The docks are packed with a variety of new and pre-owned boats—there’s lots of power representation, as one would expect with the collaboration with Trawlerfest. The the shoreside exhibitor section is as big and vibrant as ever, with trailerable boats, marine accessories, electronics, destinations, and service providers.

Produced by the Northwest Marine Trade Association (NMTA) in partnership with the Anacortes Chamber of Commerce, the Anacortes Boat & Yacht Show is an impressively smooth running operation, and they provide a number of unique value-adds to further entice you.

SPECIAL OFFERS

  • Kids 17 and Under: FREE admission
  • Military & Veterans: $10 admission each day (only available at box office)
  • Dog Friendly: Bring the pups! Dogs must remain leashed at all times

Additionally, beer or wine is included with every adult e-ticket purchase!

Redeem your admission ticket for a drink voucher at the show entrance. Unlimited Pass holders receive one drink voucher for each day attended. Redeem drink vouchers at:

Photo by Joe Cline.

48° North Managing Editor, Joe Cline, had the good fortune to visit the show on opening day. With so many cool things to check out, boats, accessories, old friends and new products, there just wasn’t enough time! Here are a few of his observations.

There’s so much to love about the Anacortes Boat & Yacht Show. To start, everything about the experience is just easy. Even if you have a big drive to get there, it’s a pleasant one. The parking is easy, ticketing is seamless, and the show’s location at Cap Sante Marina means that everything show-related close at hand, and the primary draws of downtown Anacortes are also within walking distance.

I really appreciate the crowd of attendees at this show. Many are there to take part in the Trawlerfest education series. But even those who aren’t seem like informed boat-folk to me. As excited as it is to think about shows as entry points for beginning and “someday” boaters, I value the occasion to gather a more experienced community, as I think this show does. Whether you’re just starting out or are happily salt-encrusted, this is a great place to come explore and learn more.

I’m a big fan of shows that includes pre-owned boats. The dream of a newly commissioned boat is great, but it’s not how most people will buy a boat. To me, the present of pre-owned boats takes nothing away from the excitement of the the latest and greatest. Make no mistake, even the pre-owned options I saw were in sterling condition. Perhaps most important, my experience has shown that a boat that’s had some use (thoughtful use, hopefully, and regular maintenance) often has the fewest kinks to work out and offers the most direct path to the kind of trust we all want to put in our vessels.

Ultimately, the Anacortes Boat & Yacht Show experience is one of my favorites of the year, and a big part of that is just Anacortes. It’s a great town, and more importantly in this absolutely terrific boat town. The event complements, highlights, and benefits from the special marine industry and tradition of its home town. A-town is always worth a visit, and that’s never more true than during this show.

By the time you read this, there will only be one day left to attend the show. But hopefully you do—you’ll be glad you did.

Learn more at: anacortesboatandyachtshow.com

Title background photo by Joe Cline.