Who's Who: Sheila Jones, General Manager of the Annapolis Sailboat Show

“Multihulls Continue to Gain Ground”

Just a few months before the opening of the 2026 Annapolis Sailboat Show, one of the premier sailing events in the United States, organizers are putting the finishing touches to a slightly reconfigured edition. While the in-water display will remain unchanged, the ongoing redevelopment of City Dock has required a number of logistical adjustments. Despite these changes, the show will retain the same footprint, the same number of exhibitors and an equally impressive line-up - particularly in the multihull sector.

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Publié le 30/07/2026

Par Dominic Salander

Multihulls World: Hello Sheila, how is the next edition of the Annapolis Sailboat Show shaping up?

Sheila Jones: Overall, the show will look very much like previous editions. The in-water display remains unchanged, but City Dock is currently undergoing major flood mitigation work. As a result, we’ve had to make a few adjustments to the layout. Visitors will undoubtedly notice a fenced construction area, but they shouldn’t expect a smaller show. The overall footprint remains the same, as does the number of exhibitors. The good news is that once the project is completed, Annapolis will no longer suffer from the recurring flooding that occasionally complicated the show. No more wet feet! The city and the construction teams have worked closely with us to ensure the transition goes as smoothly as possible.

MW: Over the years, the show has become a must-attend event for multihulls. Was that a deliberate strategy on the part of the organizers?

SJ: We’re expecting around 600 exhibitors, nearly 70 monohulls and, as of today, 59 confirmed multihulls. I expect that number to reach somewhere between 63 and 65 by the time the show opens, as I only count a boat once its contract has been signed.
The number of multihulls will therefore be very similar to last year’s, and perhaps even slightly higher. Some brands are adjusting their participation - for example, Bali displayed four boats last year and will probably bring three this year. But other builders are joining us, which more than makes up for it. One thing is certain: we don’t expect any decline.
This growth primarily reflects the evolution of the market. Of course, we actively work to attract multihull builders, but we also promote monohull sailboats. Our goal is to represent the sailing industry as a whole.
The market is clearly moving in favor of multihulls. Builders are producing more of them, and buyers appreciate the extra space, greater comfort, good performance and a different way of sailing. Many owners also see them as an attractive investment, particularly for the charter market, where catamarans remain extremely popular.
Finally, this sector is where much of today’s innovation is taking place: solar panels, battery technology, electric propulsion and new energy management systems. Multihulls have become a genuine technological laboratory.

MW: We’re seeing more and more large boats entering the market. Is the show ready to accommodate even bigger multihulls?

SJ: That’s true - large catamarans are becoming increasingly common. This year we’ll be welcoming several boats approaching 60 feet, but that’s not a problem for us. We still have room to expand on the water. While we’re more constrained ashore by the layout of the site, we’ve already added additional docks and, if necessary, we can further extend the in-water exhibition area.

MW: One of the distinctive features of Annapolis is that it showcases every type of sailboat, from small cruising yachts to large bluewater catamarans. Is it important for you to preserve that diversity?

SJ: Absolutely. We want to represent the entire sailing world. Today, the real challenge is finding smaller boats, simply because builders produce fewer of them. The market is shifting toward larger yachts, even though smaller sailboats remain essential for bringing new sailors into the sport.
We’ll still have a few interesting models this year, such as the Tartan 34 and
Tartan 37, but it’s becoming increasingly difficult to find smaller multihulls. We’ll have a few Dragonfly trimarans, but I’d really like to see more small, performance-oriented multihulls on display.

MW: Can you already tell us about some of the new boats visitors will be able to discover this year?

SJ: Yes. Among the multihulls, we’re particularly pleased to welcome the Knysna 550, the Voyage 510 and the Xquisite 54E Plus, all making their world premieres. We’ll also have the Vaan R4, a very interesting boat built in recyclable aluminum with a particularly innovative concept. Aquila will be displaying not only its 50 Sail but also its brand-new 45 Sail.
Other new models may still be announced before the show opens, as some builders wait until the last minute before making their announcements.
I’m also hoping we’ll be able to welcome a pre-owned Gunboat. It’s been a long time since we’ve had one at the show, and I think it would be a very interesting boat for visitors to discover.
On average, we host around ten world premieres or major new launches every year. That figure remains fairly consistent, although official confirmations often arrive very late.

MW: Like some other boat shows, are you considering creating a dedicated area for innovative or electric-powered boats?

SJ: We already have an area dedicated to engines and propulsion systems, where a number of innovations will be on display. We’re naturally following the development of electric propulsion very closely, although the market is still in its early stages in the United States. Boats such as the Vaan R4, along with models equipped with advanced solar systems, clearly illustrate the direction the industry is taking. Once again, multihulls are very often at the forefront of these developments.