BOATS, BANDS & BIG FUN AT NEW ENGLAND’S FIRST IN-WATER BOAT SHOW OF 2026 IN ESSEX, CT APRIL 24-26th
The three-day CT Spring Boat Show aims to raise $30,000 for Sails Up 4 Cancer
PRESS CONTACT:
Sarah Wadle, First Position Media/ sarah@firstpositionmedia.com 860-559-9198
Essex, CT (April 7, 2026) -The 10th Connecticut Spring Boat Show will take place April 24-26, 2026 at Safe Harbor Essex Island, located in Essex, CT. The show returns to historic Essex, uniting boaters, builders, and marine businesses along the Connecticut River, set within a town celebrating 250 years and honoring the past, present, and future of boating.
The in-water boat show will raise funds for Sails Up 4 Cancer (SU4C), a non-profit organization supporting cancer care, education, prevention and research. Sails Up 4 Cancer will benefit from 50% of ticket sales proceeds. This year’s show aims to raise $30,000 for the non-profit. The Show also creates other opportunities for SU4C. This year, the Show will host a three-act comedy fundraiser on Saturday eve.
Visitors will enjoy seeing over 60 new and brokerage, power and sailboat models of all sizes, including many yachts over 40FT. Come see the latest models offered from Aquador, Axopar, Beneteau, Bertram, BRIG, Bulls Bay, Chris-Craft, De Antonio, Dutchy, Dufour, Eastern, Edgewater, Everglades, Former Coast Guard Research Vessel, Grady White, Grand Banks, Jeaneau, MJM, Monterey, NauticStar, Neptune, Nimbus, Pioneer, Quarken, Ranger Tugs, Regulator, Rossiter, Sabre, Scout, Sea Borne, Seafox, Stoner Boatworks, Southport, Targa, True North, Waterlodge, Wellcraft and many other leading boat brands!
In addition to boats on the docks, the show will have over 40 exhibitors on display including yacht brokers, boat gear, artists, accessories, and service companies on the lawn. New this year is the Essex Art Deck, sponsored by the Essex Art Association. The Essex Art Deck will host local and visiting artists, who create across a host of mediums.
Also new this year, the show will offer a CT Safe Boaters License Course taught by Boat Safe Connecticut, LLC, the only DEEP & NASBLA Approved and Better Business Bureau Accredited “Safe Boating Course Agent” education provider in the State, and for eight consecutive years. The course will be taught over the two mornings on site at the CT Spring Boat Show, April 25th and 26th. The class will start at 8:30am and end at 12:30pm, each day.
Additional events at the 2026 CT Spring Boat Show include educational talks by experts on fishing and boating for couples, live music all weekend long, food, family fun and more! The boat show offers something for everyone, boats, coastal lifestyle exhibits, live music and more!
Friday, April 24th
Live Music
2:30 - 4:30pmSoundWaves offers an acoustic repertoire covering an eclectic range of styles, including old standards to contemporary.
Saturday, April 25th
8:30am – 12:30pm – Day one of CTSafe Boaters License Course
Fishing Seminars hosted by Mike Roy
12:45pm – Mike Roy, Fishing for Beginners – The Basics
2:15-3:00pm – Matt Stone, Long Island Sound Striped Bass Fishing
Live Music
2-4:30pmCherry Pie Band Jump, jive, and kick your heels up to swing, rockabilly, Latin and a few sultry ballads thrown in just for fun. Cherry Pie…mmm, sounds delicious!
5:00 - 8:00 pm
Off The Hook Comedy Fundraiser Party
Join us for a night of great comedy, food, and drinks—all while supporting Sails Up 4 Cancer! Sponsored by Avelo, the party features beer and wine tastings from Surfridge Brewery and signature cocktails.
Advance tickets are $30 or $40 at the gate. $60 includes a three-day Boat Show pass and party access.
Sunday, April 26th
8:30am – 12:30pm – Day two of CT Safe Boaters License Course
Boating Seminars
12:00pm Making Sailing More Fun with Ben Cesare
12:00pm Proactive offshore fishing with Captain Brian Moskey
1:00pm Anchoring, Mooring and Departing...without the yelling!
2:00pm Electric Propulsion on the Water - What is real and what is not.
3:00pm Boating for Couples with Mark Vining
Live Music
12:00 – 1:30pm The Vitas bring a unique blend of grunge and classic rock music to their original songs, creating a sound that is both nostalgic and fresh.
2:00-4:00pm The Clams are A multi-generational rock, soul, blues and classic rock band. You’re sure to dig em.
3 Day CT Spring Boat Show Tickets will be offered in advance at $22 per adult and free for children 13 and under, or $26 tickets the day of the show, granting access to the show and talks all weekend long, rain or shine. 50% of the proceeds will benefit Sails Up 4 Cancer, a non-profit organization and local charity who distributes funds to families impacted by cancer. Advance tickets can be purchased by visiting: www.ctspringboatshow.com.
The show is a production of WindCheck Magazine and hosted by Safe Harbor Essex Island Marina. Show sponsors include Avelo, Cohen’s Bagel Company, Essex Art Association, Essex Boat Works, Essex Steam Train and Riverboat, Maritime Insurance International, Surfridge Brewing Co., Brown & Brown/Risk Strategies, The Griswold Inn, The Essex Board of Trade, WindCheck Magazine, and Yacht Brokers Association of America (YBAA). Visit www.ctspringboatshow.com for specific event details.
Safe Harbor Essex Island Marina is located on a 13-acre private Island, accessed by a complementary ferry service, and offers 125 slips accommodating vessels up to 200’. The resort marina is family friendly and offers food and beverages, along with live music throughout the weekend.
Historical Downtown Essex is located on the Connecticut River, a few short miles from Long Island Sound. The small waterfront town is a boating, sailing and tourist destination featuring quaint shops, markets, and restaurants. Bring your family and friends out to enjoy this riverfront boat show and celebrate 250 years of history.
CT SPRING BOAT SHOW: The 10th CT Spring Boat Show, April 24-26, 2026 features some of the newest boats on the market including center consoles, fishing boats, luxury cruisers, sport and sail boats. The show is open to the public at Safe Harbor Essex Island, tickets will be required. 50% of ticket proceeds will be donated to Sails Up 4 Cancer. Free parking is available. Visit www.ctspringboatshow.com for specific event details or Ben Cesare of WindCheck Magazine at ben@ctspringboatshow.com for dealer and vendor application information.
Sails Up 4 Cancer (SU4C) is a non-profit organization based in Mystic, Connecticut. SU4C has been dedicated to supporting cancer care, education, prevention and research along the Shoreline and Southeastern regions of Connecticut. To learn more, go to SU4C.org.
###