$17,000 Raised for Sails Up 4 Cancer at the 2025 CT Spring Boat Show
Boats, brokers, exhibitors, and attendees gathered for the 9th Annual Connecticut Spring Boat Show in Essex, CT, raising over $17,000 for Sails Up 4 Cancer despite challenging spring weather.
PRESS CONTACT:
Sarah Wadle, First Position Media/ sarah@firstpositionmedia.com
860-559-9198
Essex, CT (June 6, 2025) - The 9th Connecticut Spring Boat Show raised over $17,000 for Sails Up 4 Cancer. With seventy boats on display in the water, over forty shoreside Exhibitors, five bands and support from fourteen sponsors, the Show defied the variable spring weather to be a huge success. The funds raised included 50% of the proceeds from ticket sales, donations from the Safe Harbor Essex Island Ferry drivers, Realtor Sharon Linder of Berkshire Hathaway, the Essex Board of Trade Members, Surfridge Brewery and Highclere Castle Gin.
“Another incredible Connecticut Spring Boat Show is in the books. Huge thanks to Ben Cesare and WindCheck Magazine for once again bringing together an outstanding lineup of boats, exhibitors, and supporters. We’re proud to mark our 9th year partnering and thanks to the generosity of everyone who attended, the funds raised will directly provide financial support to families during their fight against cancer. Here’s to building even more momentum for 2026!” says Bob Davis, founder of Sails Up 4 Cancer (SU4C), a non-profit organization supporting cancer care, education, prevention and research.
“It takes a boatload of collaboration to bring this event to life. The success of the weekend would not have been possible without the support of local businesses and organizations that were involved as either Exhibitors, Sponsors, or Sails Up 4 Cancer volunteers. We are truly grateful for everyone’s generosity, time, and effort,” said Ben Cesare, Director of the event. “A special thank you to the Safe Harbor Essex Island team, led by Henry Domenie and Adam Yaeger, for once again providing such a beautiful destination for visitors to enjoy, rain or shine. Equal thanks to John Lewis and his team from Essex Boat Works who welcome the guests on the mainland side. Every contribution, big or small, is key. We are proud to partner with the Town of Essex, a community that continues to be a wonderful home for this event. We will continue to refine and “weather-proof” this event to keep it growing. I encourage all and especially folks who could not make it to go to ctspringboatshow.com to see all who participated.”
The show is a production of WindCheck Magazine and hosted by Safe Harbor Essex Island. Show sponsors include Mohegan Sun Casino, Essex Boat Works, Maritime Insurance International, Surfridge Brewing Co., Yacht Brokers Association of America (YBAA), Risk Strategies/Gowrie Group, Avelo, The Griswold Inn, The Essex Steam Train & Riverboat, Experience Essex, and Cohen’s Bagel Company.