Best boats to see at the 2026 Annapolis Powerboat Show
The official list has expanded materially. For a Rugged Boat Guide reader, the highest-value boats are no longer just center consoles: the current list includes a deep set of Targa, Nimbus, Jeanneau NC, Saxdor, Marex, Back Cove, Pursuit and Boston Whaler models that let you compare open, semi-enclosed and true all-weather philosophies in one trip.
Confirmed-boat snapshot checked August 29, 2026.
Askari 65
Recent show coverage says the 65-foot aluminum cruiser is expected to make its world premiere in Annapolis and cites roughly 3,900 nautical miles of range. It is a very different size and mission from the boats RBG usually scores, but it is one of the show's most notable new-boat stories.
All-weather / Scandinavian adventure boats
Targa 37, Targa 41 and Targa 46
Targa is one of the most important reference points for a Nord Star shopper because both brands come from the Finnish all-weather tradition. The current show list includes three Targa models, making Annapolis unusually useful for buyers who want to understand this category in person.
Axopar 29, Axopar 38 and Axopar 45
Axopar offers a lighter, more performance- and lifestyle-oriented interpretation of Nordic adventure boating. Buyers should pay attention to helm protection, side-deck movement, seating flexibility and how much of the boat remains open to the weather.
Saxdor 340 GTWA and 400 GTC
The GTWA/GTC formats are relevant because they increasingly blur the line between walkaround sport boat and enclosed cruiser. Compare actual interior volume and deck access rather than assuming all “wheelhouse” boats solve the same mission.
Premium offshore center consoles
Also look for confirmed center-console models from Cobia, Contender, Everglades, Jupiter, Scout, Sea Hunt, Sea Pro, Tidewater and Valhalla. This is the part of the show where Chesapeake buyers can quickly see how radically cockpit-first layouts differ from enclosed family cruisers.
Express and enclosed cruisers
Other notable confirmed boats include the Pursuit OS 405, Jeanneau NC 795/895/1295 variants, Beneteau Antares 11 Coupe, Hinckley Picnic Boat 40 and Talaria 43, Sabre models, Marex models and Tiara LS/LE models.
Newly expanded all-weather and enclosed shortlist
| Brand / models currently listed | Why board them |
|---|---|
| Targa 37, 41, 46 | Closest Finnish all-weather reference point to the Nord Star mission. |
| Nimbus T9, W9, W11 | Swedish walkaround interpretation with a lighter, more open lifestyle emphasis. |
| Jeanneau NC 895 Sport, NC 1095, NC 1295 | Mainstream enclosed family-cruiser benchmark with strong Mid-Atlantic relevance. |
| Saxdor 340 GTWA, 400 GTC | Modern enclosed/walkaround hybrids that blur sport boat and cruiser categories. |
| Marex 375, 440 | Premium European enclosed cruising and family-living reference. |
| Back Cove 372, 39O | Downeast alternative emphasizing cruising comfort and protected helm time. |
| Pursuit OS 325, OS 405 | U.S. offshore express benchmark balancing fishing, family use and cabin protection. |
| Boston Whaler 365 Conquest, Conquest 405 | Premium U.S. cabin/offshore benchmark with strong Chesapeake brand recognition. |
See the full pilothouse & all-weather show guide →
Our recommended one-day boarding sequence
- Start with a center console: Grady-White Canyon 336 or Regulator 31.
- Move to an express: Pursuit OS 325 or OS 405.
- Try a Scandinavian enclosed boat: Targa, Saxdor GTWA/GTC or Axopar with enclosure.
- Finish with a Downeast cruiser: Back Cove 39O or a Sabre/Hinckley model.
That sequence gives you four distinct answers to the same fundamental question: how much of your boat should be optimized for open-air performance versus protected cruising?
Where Nord Star would fit
Nord Star would sit between the hard-core all-weather Scandinavian boats and premium family cruisers: more weather protection and walkaround utility than most center consoles, but with a different emphasis than a pure Downeast express. It is not currently confirmed for the show, which is why we are collecting buyer interest.
Want Nord Star added to your Annapolis comparison list?
Register interest in seeing the brand at the show or joining a possible Nord Star 36+ demonstration cruise.