WHAT: The Discover Boating® Norwalk Boat Show, in partnership with Progressive Insurance®, returns to
the Norwalk Cove Marina September 19-22, 2024, with more boats to see & shop, free boating lessons &
rides, paddle sports demos, and fun for the whole family. The Northeast’s favorite fall boating eventprovides
four days of waterfront activities and the chance to relax and soak up the end of summer on the beautiful
Long Island Sound.
As Americans continue to prioritize experiences, outdoor recreation, and work-life balance, boating and fishing have emerged as one of the top outdoor recreational activities in the United States, with 85 million people going boating each year. The Discover Boating Norwalk Boat Show is ready to welcome thousands of new and existing boaters to enjoy the best of life on the water!
EVENT HIGHLIGHTS
- More boats, more brands, more gear, more fun – See & shop the most comprehensive selection of boat brands and types in the tri-state area this fall, from offshore fishing boats to family cruisers. The boat show is the perfect opportunity to browse, compare and place orders for your first or next boat, plus gear upon the newest boating accessories, marine electronics and on-the-water must-haves from the best brands in the business.
- Kids’ fun including Touch Tanks with live tidepool creatures, paddle boating in a mini pool, toy boat-building workshops, and more.
- Free paddle sports demos & free boat rides at Try It Cove – Paddle and kayak your way around the boat show to get a different view of hundreds of boats and get closer to the water! Kayak and stand-up paddleboard demos available for ages 10 & up.
- Relax waterside overlooking hundreds of boats at the Water Club Lounge or kick back at The Mohegan Sun Sand Bar with live music, wines by Gratsi, and beautiful views of the Norwalk Harbor.
- Play for the chance to win $1,000 and other great prizes in Mohegan Sun’s Human Slot Machine Game.
- Tour the Queen of the Show & her Court – Boat Show tradition dictates that the largest boat at the show is named the Queen. 2024’s innovations deserve a look at the Queen and her Court.
- Palm Beach 65 – The epitome of luxury, the Palm Beach 65 features opulent interiors and spacious floor plans, plus the impressive power of Volvo IPS1350s, which come standard.
- Grand Banks East Bay 60–The latest version of the EB60 is sleeker, faster and more fuel efficient than before, resulting in a contemporary version of the classic “Down Easter” cruising yacht.
- Fairline 65 Phantom– A state-of-the-art Sportsbridge, the latest technologies and a generous layout create the ultimate onboard experience.
- Absolute Navetta 64– Combining Italian craftsmanship and top-of-the-line innovations, it is no surprise the Absolute Navetta 64 is dubbed the “Limousine of Yachts." Enjoy breathtaking views from frameless glass windows surrounding the main deck or indulge in the VIP suite below deck.
- Tiara EX60 – This spectacular 60-foot yacht combines luxury and adventure at every turn, including hullside terraces that put you even closer to the water.
- Free boater education
- Progressive® Boat School’s On-Water Boating Classes, by Annapolis School of Seamanship – Takethe helm under the instruction of USCG Licensed Captains to gain more confidence on the water and get hands-on education for all levels. Skills covered include boat handling, docking, knots, basic navigation, and weather awareness. Basic Boat Operator, Women at the Wheel and Junior Captains (ages 11-15) classes available.
- Fred’s Shed How-to Center, presented by Progressive® – Tips, tricks, and DIY advice for every boater—from first timers to experienced captains. Have a boat or engine problem you haven’t been able to fix? Stop by and ask our tech expert about it.
- Free Lighthouse Boat Tour – Enjoy a complimentary boat ride out to historic Green’s Ledge Lighthouse on Sheffield Island. During the trip, you’ll hear about local history and folklore, including the origins of the local oyster industry and the maritime heritage of Long Island Sound. Presented by the Norwalk Seaport Association with daily, one-hour trips at 11am. 1pm, 3pm and 5pm (weather permitting).
- NEW! Towing with Toyota – The Greater New York Toyota Dealer Association (GNY TDA) is proud to be the Official Tow Vehicle of the Discover Boating Norwalk Boat Show. Come to booth A25 and check out the 1794 Tundra, showcasing the truck’s Straight Path Assist feature via live demos, alongside a Tacoma TRD Off Road that will be on display for attendees to check out.
WHEN: Thursday-Sunday, September 19-22, 2024, 10:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m., Thursday-Saturday; 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Sunday
WHERE: Norwalk Cove Marina 48 Calf Pasture Beach Rd, Norwalk, CT 06855
TICKETS: Tickets are $20 for adults; children 12 & under get in FREE when accompanied by a paid adult. Buy online to skip the line at BoatShowNorwalk.com.
Ticket Specials
- Saluting Our Heroes’ Thursday, September 19 – To express gratitude for their service, all First Responders, Military, and Veterans get in FREE on Thursday, September 19. Simply show valid identification along with photo ID on entry.
PARKING: Enjoy complimentary parking at Calf Pasture Beach provided by your local Toyota dealers.
WATER TAXI: Arrive by boat & hail our free water taxi to the Show! In Norwalk Harbor (to the right of Peach Island) hail the Water Taxi on Ch. 68 to direct the water taxi captain to your anchor point.
INFO: For more information, visit BoatShowNorwalk.com,?Facebook?and Instagram #norwalkboatshow #DiscoverBoating
U.S. BOATING BY THE NUMBERS*
- An estimated 85 million Americans go boating each year.
- Ninety-five percent of boats sold in the U.S. are American made.
- Boating is one of the leading drivers of the $1.1 trillion outdoor recreation economy, which contributes 2.2% of our nation’s GDP. (Source: Bureau of Economic Analysis)
- Recreational boating saw a 36% increase in annual economic activity from 2018’s $170 billion to $230 billion in 2023, and a 14% jump in recreational marine industry-related jobs from 691,000 in 2018 to 812,000 in 2023, supporting 36,000 American businesses.
- Annual U.S. sales of boats, marine products and services totaled $59.3 billion in 2022, up 4.4% from 2021 as more boaters spent more time on the water - a trend that continued in 2023 with total expenditures expected to be in the $60 billion range.
CONNECTICUT BOATING BY THE NUMBERS (Source:?NMMA)
- Recreational boating in Connecticut has a $3.6 Billion dollar economic impact. The industry supports more than 13K jobs and 623 businesses statewide.
- Connecticut Boating Sales totaled $314 Million in 2022 including new powerboats, outboard engines, boat trailers and aftermarket accessories.
- On average, the Discover Boating Norwalk Boat Show attracts more than 10,000 visitors annually from the tri-state area.
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MEDIA CONTACTS: Amanda Brokaw (917-238-0204 or Amanda@cwandco.com) and Carrie Waible (646-423-0230 or carrie@cwandco.com) for photos, interviews, special access & live remotes.