The 2026 St. Petersburg Power & Sailboat Show: A Major Marine Event

St. Petersburg, FL

The St. Petersburg Power & Sailboat Show returns January 15–18, bringing one of the Gulf Coast’s most significant winter‑season marine gatherings to the downtown waterfront. Held at the Duke Energy Center for the Arts – Mahaffey Theater Yacht Basin and Albert Whitted Park, the show is the largest boat exhibition on the Gulf Coast and remains an important early-season event for manufacturers, dealers, and boating enthusiasts.

The setting itself has become part of the event’s identity. With boats displayed in the Mahaffey Theater Yacht Basin and a wide range of marine products and services exhibited along the adjacent park, the show offers an immersive experience with the waterfront as both backdrop and functional display space. The arrangement — with boats docked in the basin and marine‑gear exhibits on the adjacent park — creates a more intimate, waterfront‑centered layout, which many attendees cite as a strength compared to larger, more sprawling boat shows elsewhere. 

The St. Petersburg show traditionally features a broad cross-section of powerboats and sailboats, along with multihulls, trawlers, center consoles, sportfishers, and cruising yachts. The event reliably attracts major national brands and regional dealerships, along with marine electronics providers, gear suppliers, and companies specializing in propulsion, navigation, and maintenance technology. The show’s size is intentional—large enough to provide meaningful variety, yet still manageable for visitors who want to compare vessels without feeling overwhelmed.

Hands-on access is central to the experience. Attendees can step aboard vessels, evaluate layouts, speak directly with manufacturers and brokers, and explore the latest designs in a setting that encourages deliberate decision-making. Past editions have also featured educational seminars on topics such as navigation, maintenance, and cruising preparedness. Similar programming is expected again this year, continuing the show’s tradition of combining product displays with practical learning.

The timing of the event gives it additional importance. Taking place early in the year, the St. Petersburg Power & Sailboat Show often serves as one of the first major points of connection between the industry and prospective buyers. With boating interest reportedly still elevated compared with pre‑pandemic years, especially for mid-size vessels and technology‑forward designs, the 2026 show arrives at a time when some manufacturers are expected to highlight new models and updates for the upcoming season. Industry observers anticipate continued attention on energy-efficient propulsion, advanced marine electronics, and designs that support family cruising and day boating.

St. Petersburg itself adds context to the event. The show’s downtown location allows visitors to combine the exhibition with access to museums, restaurants, waterfront parks, and walkable neighborhoods. Many attendees extend their visit into the weekend, taking advantage of the city’s growing cultural scene and mild January weather.