The 55th Newport International Boat Show opens Thursday, Sept. 17, and runs through Sunday, with more than 450 boats spread across 17 acres and seven connected sites along the harbor, centered at the Newport Yachting Center Marina.
Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. The show runs rain or shine, and a wristband gets you into all seven sites for the day.
Tickets. Thursday preview day is $44. One-day general admission Friday through Sunday is $33. A two-day pass covering preview day and one general day is $68; two general days is $56. Windward VIP is $300. Fees may apply and tickets are nonrefundable.
New this year. The Fishing Village, presented by Tashmoo Boatworks, is included with admission and brings together fishing boats, tackle, electronics and instruction. The Fishing Education Center, run by Middletown’s The Saltwater Edge, hosts free seminars Friday through Sunday on side-scan sonar, false albacore, midshore bluefin, bottom fishing and bass, and a 50-foot casting pond hosts fly casting clinics.
Also new is the Midtown Race Club at Perry Mill Wharf, home to the Windward VIP Lounge and the open-to-all Regatta Bar.
Free seminars. The Cruisers Classroom, run by the Annapolis School of Seamanship, operates in two rooms below deck at Hammetts Hotel all four days. Sessions cover buying a boat, radar and AIS, anchoring, marine diesel, weather, docking and captain licensing, plus the Great Loop, Caribbean cruising, chartering, solo ocean racing and ocean acidification. Seating is first come, first served, capped at 40 per session.
Paid classes. BoatClass, run with Freedom Boat Club, offers 90-minute captain-led sessions on the water Thursday through Sunday for $199, including same-day admission. Open to ages 21 and up, no experience needed, advance registration required. IYRS runs three-hour Tech Talks Friday and Saturday on multimeters and electrical troubleshooting, cable sizing and crimping, and gel coat repair; $125 includes same-day admission, with classes capped at 12 to 15 students.
New products. The Newport for New Products program marks its 20th year, with close to 50 debuts marked by decals and burgees around the show. Judges name winners in categories including best new powerboat, sailboat and technology, plus green and accessibility honors. Winners are announced Friday.
Sunday. Community Day brings discounted admission for Newport County residents and military with valid ID, available on site. Children under 10 get in free with an adult. The Boys & Girls Club of Newport County and the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center are partners, with activities on the Sky Deck.
Getting there. Advance parking passes are available at Easton’s Beach, with free shuttles running 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. The Jamestown Newport Ferry is another option.
Maps, the exhibitor directory and seminar schedules are at newportboatshow.com.
