Spring is here, and for boaters in New England, that means one thing: it’s time for the Connecticut Spring Boat Show. Now in its milestone 10th year, this beloved event returns to the charming waterfront village of Essex, CT — and it’s shaping up to be the biggest and best show yet. Whether you’re shopping for a new boat, looking to sharpen your skills, or just want to soak up the start of boating season, here’s everything you need to know before you go.
What Is the Connecticut Spring Boat Show?
The CT Spring Boat Show is the first in-water boat show in New England each year, held at Safe Harbor Essex Island along the Connecticut River, set within the historic town of Essex. It’s produced by WindCheck Magazine and brings together boat brokers, marine businesses, lifestyle exhibitors, fishing experts, and thousands of boating enthusiasts for a full weekend of boats, music, food, and fun.
The 2025 show featured 70 boats on display and over 50 exhibitors, attracting more than 2,000 attendees — and 2026 promises even more, with expanded exhibit areas and a larger lineup of boats.
Dates, Hours & Location
Friday, April 24 — 1:00 PM to 6:00 PM Saturday, April 25 — 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM Sunday, April 26 — 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Location: Safe Harbor Essex Island, 11 Ferry Street, Essex, CT 06426
This is a rain or shine event, so no need to stress about the forecast — pack a light jacket and head out regardless.
How Much Do Tickets Cost?
Tickets are available for purchase in advance at windcheckmagazine.com/shop. Children 13 and under are free when accompanied by a paid adult — just be sure to select a Children’s ticket when purchasing online. Each ticket/bracelet provides entrance for all three days, so one purchase covers the entire weekend.
There’s also a special Saturday night package: a $60 combo price gets you into the show for all three days plus the Off The Hook Fundraiser Party on Saturday night.
What’s Happening Each Day?
Thursday, April 23 (Pre-Show)
Kick off the weekend early at J. McLaughlin, 3 Main Street, Essex, CT, Thursday April 23rd from 4–6pm for a sips and shopping event with Sails Up 4 Cancer founder Bob Davis. J. McLaughlin will donate 10% of sales to the charity.
Friday, April 24
The show opens at 1 PM with food from Siren Kitchen & Bar, coffee by Deep River Roasters, and beer sampling from Surfridge Brewing Company East. Live music is provided by SoundWaves from 2:00–4:30 PM — acoustic duo Carol Dyson and Ken Barber covering an eclectic range from The Eagles and Tom Petty to Fleetwood Mac and Sheryl Crow.
Saturday, April 25
Saturday is the action-packed day of the weekend. In addition to boats and exhibitors, you’ll find:
Fishing Seminars — Professional Fishing Guide Mike Roy hosts “Fishing for Beginners – The Basics” at 12:45 PM, followed by saltwater kayak angler Matt Stone covering Long Island Sound Striped Bass Fishing from 2:15–3:00 PM.
CT Safe Boating License Course — New this year, Boat Safe Connecticut, LLC — the only DEEP & NASBLA Approved and BBB Accredited safe boating course agent in the state for eight consecutive years — will teach a CT Safe Boaters License Course on site. The class runs 8:30 AM to 12:30 PM and costs $120, which includes a three-day show pass.
Live Music — The Cherry Pie Band performs from 2:00–4:30 PM with swing, rockabilly, and Latin music.
Off The Hook Fundraiser Party — Party dockside with comedy, food, and beverages for Sails Up 4 Cancer. Doors open at 5:00 PM with three comedy acts planned. Tickets are $30 in advance or $40 at the door.
Sunday, April 26
Sunday brings a full slate of boating seminars themed around helping couples enjoy more time on the water:
- 12:00 PM — “Making Sailing More Fun” with Ben Cesare
- 12:00 PM — “Proactive Offshore Fishing” with Captain Brian Moskey
- 1:00 PM — “Anchoring, Mooring and Departing…without the yelling!”
- 2:00 PM — “Electric Propulsion on the Water – What is real and what is not”
- 3:00 PM — “Boating for Couples” with Mark Vining
Live music Sunday comes from The Vitas (12:00–1:30 PM) and The Clams (2:00–4:30 PM), a multi-generational rock, soul, and blues band from Norwalk.
What Charity Does the Show Support?
Your ticket purchase supports Sails Up 4 Cancer (SU4C), a nonprofit dedicated to funding research in the education, prevention, care, and cure for all types of cancer through the art and enjoyment of sailing. In 2025, the show raised over $17,000 for SU4C. Learn more at su4c.org.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the show really happening rain or shine? Yes. This is a rain or shine event. Don’t let a little New England spring weather stop you.
Can I bring my kids? Absolutely. Children 13 and under get in free with a paid adult, and strollers are welcome — they can be pushed down the boat ramp onto the ferry launch.
Can I bring food? Yes, you can bring your own food. There is also a restaurant on site and a small snack bar (cash only for the snack bar).
Can I bring my own drinks or alcohol? No outside alcohol is permitted, unless you are a Safe Harbor customer with your boat on Essex Island. There is beer sampling available at the show from Surfridge Brewing.
Is there an ATM on site? No, there is no ATM on site. Bring cash if you plan to use the snack bar.
Where can I see which boats and brokers will be there? Visit the Exhibitors page and Boats on Display page on the show website for a full list.
Where do I park? Parking is available at Essex Boat Works, 9 Ferry Street, Essex, CT and at Safe Harbor Essex Island, 9 Novelty Lane, Essex, CT.
Where can I stay nearby? The Griswold Inn is offering 20% off published rates Thursday through Sunday of the Boat Show weekend. The Griswold is a historic Essex landmark right in town — a great base for the full weekend.
Tips for Getting the Most Out of the Show
Go in with a plan. Review the exhibitor list and boats on display before you arrive so you know which dealers and models you want to spend time with. Shows move fast, and it’s easy to get distracted.
Attend the seminars. The Saturday fishing seminars and Sunday boating seminars are free with your admission and genuinely valuable — especially the couples-focused boating talks on Sunday if you’ve ever had a tense moment at the dock with your first mate.
Get your CT boating license while you’re there. If you haven’t completed Connecticut’s safe boating course yet, this is an exceptional opportunity. The on-site course runs both Saturday and Sunday mornings and earns you your CT Safe Boating License for just $120 (which includes your show pass).
Bring cash for the snack bar. The restaurant on site accepts cards, but the snack bar is cash only.
Spend time on the boats in the water. This is an in-water show, which means you can actually step aboard and get a feel for boats rather than just looking at them on dry land. Take advantage of that — it’s the best way to understand size, layout, and fit.
Come back multiple days. Your ticket bracelet is good for all three days. Friday is typically the least crowded if you want a quieter experience on the boats. Saturday has the most programming and energy. Sunday’s seminars are gold for newer boaters.
Ready to Buy? Don’t Skip the Training.
Finding your dream boat at the CT Spring Boat Show is exciting — but the real adventure begins once you’re out on the water. A new boat, a new marina, an unfamiliar waterway — it adds up quickly, and confidence behind the helm doesn’t come automatically with ownership.
That’s where BoatingLessons.com comes in. We connect new and experienced boat owners with USCG-licensed Captain instructors for hands-on, on-the-water training — right on your own boat, in your own waters. Whether you need help with docking, anchoring, navigation, or just want to build overall confidence, our Captains come to you.
Connecticut boaters — there are licensed Captains available near you today. Training is available throughout the Long Island Sound, the Connecticut River, and coastal communities across the state.
Don’t learn from mistakes. Learn from Captains.
