Winter boat shopping opportunities on the Bay will look a little different this year, following a post-pandemic shakeup. The Progressive Insurance Baltimore Boat Show is postponed until January 2023—but a brand new show will launch in at the Maryland State Fairgrounds in Baltimore County this year instead.
The National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) announced this week that the Baltimore Boat Show won’t be happening this winter, “as we navigate current market conditions and needs in Baltimore,” Progressive says on the boat show website. Baltimore is one of five major-market Progressive boat shows postponed to 2023 (Atlanta, Chicago, Nashville, and St. Louis are the others). NMMA attributes the decision to boat inventory and supply problems, writing, “This is the result of thorough analysis, alongside exhibitors and NMMA members, of the unique needs and economics of each region spanning date availability to supply chain disruptions to historically low market-specific boat inventory.”
At the same time, the Marine Trades Association of Baltimore County is holding a brand new boat show January 21-23, 2022, at the state fairgrounds in Timonium. Earlier this month the trades association announced the Chesapeake Bay Boat Show, produced by Maryland boat dealers and featuring ” new boats and marine equipment, including sport fishing boats, performance boats, ski boats, cruisers, pontoon boats, cabin cruisers, and more.”
The 125,000 square-foot fairgrounds building known as the “Cow Palace” used for events throughout the year will hold boats in a range of budgets. Dealers include: AMPM Marine, Beacon Light Marina, Chessie Marine, Galahad Marine Sales, Honda Powersports of Crofton, Jim’s Marine, MD Boat Sales, North Point Yacht Sales, Pasadena Boat Works, Pete’s Cycle, Pocket Yacht Company, Port Annapolis Marina, PYY Marine, Rhode River Marina, Riverside Marine, Rudy’s Marine, Total Marine, Tradewinds Marina, Tristate Marine, and Waterfront Marine.
The Chesapeake Bay Boat Show also promises entertainment, educational seminars, food and drink, and free parking.
For more information, visit thechesapeakebayboatshow.com.
–Meg Walburn Viviano
