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.

Published 31/07/2026

By Dominic Salander

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Issue: 209

Published: oct. / oct. 2026

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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 ...

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