Dreaming of the cruising lifestyle? Then Baltimore Trawlerfest is the event for you.
Passagemaker’s Trawlerfest returns in person to Baltimore’s Inner Harbor Thursday, September 29 through Sunday, October 3, 2021 and will be held in conjunction with the all-new Baltimore Inner Harbor Boat Show. Guests can expect an impressive in-water selection of new and pre-owned trawlers, long-range cruisers and coastal cruisers, along with hands-on seminars and demonstrations.
Baltimore Inner Harbor Boat Show
Powered by Trawlerfest, this is the premiere event for boat owners and prospective buyers to hone their boating skills or to find their next boat. Powerboaters and sailors alike will have unparalleled access to a wealth of industry experts, from manufacturers to experienced cruisers. Guests can expect more than 25 hands-on seminars, cocktail parties, an in-water boat show featuring a variety of vessels—both power and sail—from 25 to 70 feet, new electronics, and more.
Dates
September 29-October 3
Times
Thursday, September 30: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Friday, October 1: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Sunday, October 2: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Sunday, October 3: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Location
Harbor East Marina, Baltimore, MD
Tickets
General admission adults: $15 online, $18 at the door
General admission children (ages 7 to 12): $10
Children 6 and under are free
5 Day VIP Package: (Wednesday through Sunday): $549 – This package includes general admission to all four days of the in-water boat show and unlimited access to seminars (Boat Handling Illustrated and the Diesel Engine Course are not part of the VIP package).
3 Day VIP Package: $449 – Includes three days of general admission and unlimited access to three days of the in-water boat show (Wednesday-Friday or Friday-Sunday). Boat Handling Illustrated and the Diesel Engine Course are not part of the VIP package.
Seminar Locations
The Courtyard Baltimore Downtown/Inner Harbor and Hilton Garden Inn & Homewood Suites Baltimore Inner Harbor (located next door to each other).
Seminar Topics
Here is a sampling of some of the seminars attendees can expect. Find dates, times, prices, and a full list of seminar topics and speakers, as well as registration info at passagemaker.com/trawlerfest. Seminars are an additional cost apart from your general admission ticket and range in price from $40 to $175.
How To Get the Most Out of Your Annual Haulout with Steve Zimmerman
Every cruising boat needs to be hauled from time to time, and careful planning will maximize the benefit. This class will give you a game plan for you next haulout. Topics include: the benefits of a pre-haulout sea trial; checking for blisters and what to do if you find them; how to find structural problems below the waterline; options for anti-foulant paints; inspecting thru-hulls; running gear inspection and maintenance; gelcoat maintenance and dealing with cracks; and checking for core issues on deck. Cost: $85
Boat Buyers Guide
Even when it goes well, buying a boat can be a stressful process. The idea behind this seminar is to arm buyers with the information they need to minimize frustration and unnecessary expense. There are six “team teach” instructors with individual presentations and a group panel session at the end. The seminar leads off with the first decision a prospective buyer of a cruising boat must make. That is, what kind of cruiser you plan to be and therefore which hull design. Cost: $85
Great Loop With Kim Russo
The first hour of this seminar sets the foundation for the Great Loop by providing the answers to the most frequently asked questions about the route and how to cruise it and covering some of the Great Loop’s stats. Included will be details on distances, clearances, route options, locks, and Loop-capable boats. Then, organizers will take you on a tour of the route using photos submitted by Loopers. You’ll get a great idea of the types of things you’ll see and do along the way and what are likely to be the highlights of the journey. During the second hour, veteran Loopers will share the stories of their Great Loop adventures and give you the best tips they learned along the way. The final hour focuses on how you can get started planning your own Great Loop adventure. The seminar will wrap with a question-and-answer session. Cost: $65
Diesel Engines With Nigel Calder
The diesel engine is a critically important piece of safety equipment aboard any cruising boat. Tech guru Nigel Calder, author of the best-selling “Marine Diesel Engines” brings his broad experience to a seminar for boat owners, both power and sail, that want to get the most out of their time on the water. This seminar will dive into a detailed look at fuel, oil, cooling, airflow, and powertrain systems, describing all normal maintenance procedures and including often overlooked critical installation issues. You will come away from this seminar with an enhanced understanding of your engine and the confidence to carry out routine maintenance, which alone will save you the price of admission. No previous experience is required. Cost: $130