The Progressive Baltimore Boat Show, January 26-29, comes to town long enough after the holidays that we are ready to get out again. It also comes far enough from boating season that we are really missing it by then. To get out—even in the cold along the Inner Harbor—to see boats, talk about boats, and be among other boaters is worth the effort. The show provides hands-on fun and games for families and opportunities to step aboard new boats… and it may buoy your spirits this January. Photo by Ken Stanek/ Visit Baltimore PropTalk Staff Show Tips:
  • Dress warmly for the walk from the parking lot, but wear layers that can be shed once inside.
  • Dress for climbing up ladders and ramps onto boats. Heels and boats don’t go well together, even for an indoor boat show.
  • This is a great show to bring kids to!
  • If you’d like to leave the kids at home, the show stays open until 8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, and they sell beer there.
  • There’s a food court inside the show, which is very convenient, but you may also want to explore the restaurants along the Inner Harbor.
  • There are also a number of bars set up around the show, as those who show up for Thursday and Friday night happy hours know well.
  • Bring some cash for tips or goodies.
  • If you’re looking for good coffee, they sell it upstairs at the Convention Center.
  • What makes this show fun are the interactive activities around the show, such as the U.S. Power Squadron’s virtual boating simulator and fishing simulators. Check out the standup paddleboard (SUP) pool for the live JetSurf demos.
  • Stop by the PropTalk booth #417 to tell us what sections you like to read best, show us your favorite boating photos from your cell phone, and share your future article ideas. We’ll have some magazines, stickers, and prop tattoos on hand.
Show Details: When: Thursday January 26 through Sunday, January 29 Where: Baltimore Convention Center, 1 West Pratt Street, Baltimore’s Inner Harbor Hours: Thursday – Saturday: 10 a.m. – 8 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Tickets: $14 for adults; FREE for children 15 and under (when accompanied by an adult). You may purchase tickets in advance online at baltimoreboatshow.com or at the box office during the show. Parking: You can park at many places right around the Convention Center, but Camden Yards/ M&T Bank Stadium Lot C is a good bet. There are shuttlebuses every 20 minutes, and it’s also walkable. Event parking costs $10-12 and is subject to change. Public Transportation: Light rail service to Convention Center Station. Why wait to buy a boat? Some Show Highlights: Meet Ocean City’s Captain Dale Lisi who’s starring in the National Geographic series Wicked Tuna - Outer Banks. Junior Captains education program for kids, teaching them boating basics. Kids will learn valuable first-mate line-handling skills such as tying a cleat hitch, throwing a line over a piling, and becoming familiar with onboard safety and communication equipment such as VHF radios. Women at the Wheel: a two-hour, hands-on, women-only workshop is designed and taught by professional captains to give you the skills and confidence to safely and effectively skipper your own boat. Topics covered include line-handling and throwing, docking and close-quarters maneuvering, communication, VHF radio, electronic navigation, and more. Check out 300 of the latest boat models for attendees to browse, board, and buy for every lifestyle and budget ranging from luxury cruisers and watersport boats to pontoons and fishing boats, plus marine accessories and much more. Get those feet wet in stand up paddleboarding (SUP) at the Paddlefest Pool and try out Hobie’s new Eclipse board with pedals and handlebar steering. Do It Yourself at Fred’s Shed, an interactive garage with experts teaching the art of boat maintenance and repair. Boost your boating IQ at Progressive Boat School with a remote control docking challenge, boating simulator and a variety of seminars. [gallery type="square" link="file" size="medium" ids="17512,17513"] Get in on the Crab Picking Contest: Competition is fierce! Kids can build and decorate their own toy boat and hook some virtual fish on the Progressive Flo Motion simulator. Live music Thursday night from 5 to 8 p.m. Catch singer/songwriter—and Maryland native—Justin Ryan playing live! He’ll perform tunes from his recently released solo debut album Warm Whiskey Nights. Justin is a member of the Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI) and to date has had 10 songs that have made the NSAI’s “Ones To Watch” list. Watch live music by Justin Ryan Thursday 5-8 p.m. Visiting Baltimore by Boat: We realize that it may be a little too wintry in January to visit by boat, but why not start thinking about a spring trip? Harbor East Marina—a 200-slip marina with 500 feet of alongside dockage within walking distance of the Inner Harbor, Fells Point, and Little Italy. Baltimore Marine Centers—several marinas around the Inner Harbor from its innermost point (near the Rusty Scupper) to Sparrows Point. Nabbs Creek Marina—a newly renovated, full-service marina with a new restaurant on the way along the Patapsco. Snagaslip—Click and search to find an open slip for the night. While you're in town for the show, make sure to get out and explore the city (away from the Convention Center). Click to proptalk.com/visit-baltimore for tips on where to get started.