The St. Pete Boat Show 2027: A Buyer's Guide From a St. Petersburg Yacht Broker

Every January, the boating world comes to my backyard. The St. Petersburg Power and Sailboat Show returns January 14 to 17, 2027, at the Mahaffey Theater Yacht Basin and Albert Whitted Park in downtown St. Pete. Powerboats and sailboats, new and brokerage, in the water and on land, all within walking distance of each other.

I've been in business for more than 25 years. In that time I've watched a lot of couples walk into a boat show excited and walk out four hours later tired, sunburned, and no closer to the right boat.

It doesn't have to go that way. This guide covers what I'd do if I were buying at the show: how to plan, what to look at when you step aboard, how to think about show pricing, and how my VIP Buyer Experience works. There's also a section for owners who are thinking about selling or trading up, and a short FAQ at the end.

When and where is the St. Pete Boat Show in 2027?

The show runs four days at the Duke Energy Center for the Arts Mahaffey Theater Yacht Basin and Albert Whitted Park, 400 1st Street South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701.

Show hours, as published by the show organizers:

• Thursday, January 14: 10 AM to 6 PM
• Friday, January 15: 10 AM to 6 PM
• Saturday, January 16: 10 AM to 6 PM
• Sunday, January 17: 10 AM to 4 PM

According to the organizers, admission includes show attractions like seminars, kids fishing clinics, and on water boat training courses with the Annapolis School of Seamanship and Progressive. Tickets, parking and current details are on the official show website, stpeteboatshow.com.

Who should go to the St. Pete Boat Show?

Anyone who loves the water will enjoy it. But the show is a real opportunity for a few groups in particular:

• Couples shopping for 30 to 65 ft yachts. You can step aboard boats back to back, compare layouts in person, and talk to the people who build and sell them, all in one place.
• First time yacht buyers. Seeing a cruiser, a sport yacht and a flybridge on the same afternoon teaches you more about what you want than a month of scrolling.
• Owners ready to trade up. The show is a good place to see what your next boat could look like.
• Buyers from out of state. If you're planning to buy a yacht in Florida, the show is a good reason to make the trip, see boats in person, and spend a few days in St. Pete.

Here's the catch. Every boat on those docks has someone whose job is to sell it. Nobody there works for you unless you bring your own advisor.

How should you plan before the boat show?

Start with how you boat, not with a model name. Before you look at a single listing, sit down together and answer a few questions honestly.

• Where will you go? Day trips to the sandbar, or weekends down the coast to Sarasota and beyond?
• Who's coming? How many people are aboard on a typical day, and how often do guests stay overnight?
• Where will it live? A marina slip, a lift, or behind the house? Draft, beam and height all matter here.
• Who's running it? Do you want to handle the boat yourselves or hire a captain?
• What's the real budget? Think about the monthly number that feels comfortable, all in. That means slip, insurance, maintenance, fuel and storage, not just the purchase price.

Those answers narrow the field fast. Then build a short list. Five or six boats worth a serious look will do more for you than wandering every dock.

One more thing: look beyond the show. Some of the right yachts for sale in St. Petersburg FL and across Tampa Bay won't be at the show at all. Before January, it's worth reviewing what's on the market so you can compare show boats against brokerage boats already sitting in local marinas. You can browse yachts for sale in Florida on our site, or start a yacht search and I'll do the digging.

What should you bring to the show?

Keep it simple:

• Your short list, on paper or on your phone
• Comfortable deck shoes that slip off easily, since you'll be taking them off at a lot of boats
• Sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat
• A phone with plenty of charge for photos and notes
• A rough idea of your financing, if you plan to finance

What should you look for when you step aboard?

Show boats are clean, staged and polished. That's the point. So look past the cushions and pay attention to the things that will matter after the first season.

• Engine room access. Open the hatch. How easy would routine service be?
• Hours and records. On brokerage boats, ask for engine hours and service records.
• Storage and headroom. Picture a weekend aboard with your gear, not an empty show boat.
• The layout for your crew. Does it work for the two of you? For the guests you'd bring?
• Helm visibility. Sit at the helm. Where does everyone else sit underway?
• What's included. Ask what's in the quoted price and what's an option.

Take photos of every boat, including the model placard, and jot one line of notes after each one. By Saturday night they'll all start to blur together otherwise.

Is the boat show price the real price?

Not always. A show price is a starting point, not the final number.

The number that matters comes from three things: comparable sales for that model, the condition of that specific boat, and the terms you negotiate. On a brokerage boat, a survey and sea trial still come after you agree on a price, and they should. On a new boat, the options list and delivery timing can change the picture quite a bit.

Shows have energy, and that's part of the fun. Just don't let it rush a decision you'd make differently on a quiet Tuesday.

Should you bring your own yacht broker to a boat show?

I think so, and I'll be upfront that I'm a yacht broker. Here's the reasoning.

The people on the docks know their boats well, and many of them are good at what they do. But their job is to sell the boats they represent. A buyer's broker works for you. That means comparing boats across brands, pulling comparable sales, asking the questions you might not think of, and keeping the whole process, from offer to survey to closing, on track.

It costs you nothing extra to have someone on your side, and it can change how the weekend goes.

What is the St. Pete Boat Show VIP Buyer Experience?

This is why I put together the St. Pete Boat Show VIP Buyer Experience. It puts a licensed yacht broker on your side for the show. Here's how it works.

Before the show. We talk about your budget and how you boat, and I build a short list of the boats worth your time.

At the show. I take you on a private four hour guided tour, one on one. We go aboard, ask the hard questions, and compare side by side, with real comparable sales data on every boat you like. Show admission for two, parking and lunch are included.

After the show. I help with offer strategy and terms. And if the right boat isn't at the show, I keep searching for you for 90 days, on and off the market.

Qualifying purchases may also include survey credit, a safety package and captain training benefits. You can see the full details and request a consultation on the VIP page.

Thinking of selling your yacht or trading up?

Show season is a good time for owners to take an honest look at their listing. Buyers are out, they're comparing, and many of them are scrolling listings on their phones between docks. If your boat is listed and isn't getting calls during show season, something needs a fresh look.

That's what my free Listing Upgrade Report is for. I review your listing's price position, photos, description and exposure, then send you a short written report with clear next steps. No obligation, and no listing pitch.

If you're thinking about trading up, the show is a good place to see what your next boat could look like while we plan how to sell the one you have. Timing a sale and a purchase together takes some planning, so it helps to start the conversation before January.

What else is there to do in St. Pete during the show?

The show sits right on the downtown waterfront, so you're close to restaurants, the waterfront parks and the rest of downtown St. Pete. If you're coming in from out of town, it's easy to turn the trip into a long weekend. For ideas on marinas, waterways and life on the water here, see our Tampa Bay yachting guide.

Frequently asked questions

When is the 2027 St. Pete Boat Show?

The St. Petersburg Power and Sailboat Show runs Thursday, January 14 through Sunday, January 17, 2027. Hours are 10 AM to 6 PM Thursday through Saturday and 10 AM to 4 PM on Sunday, according to the show organizers.

Where is the St. Pete Boat Show held?

At the Duke Energy Center for the Arts Mahaffey Theater Yacht Basin and Albert Whitted Park, 400 1st Street South, in downtown St. Petersburg, Florida.

Are there used boats at the St. Pete Boat Show?

Yes. The organizers list both new and brokerage boats, in the water and on land.

Can I buy a boat at the show?

Yes, you can agree on terms at the show. On a brokerage boat, the purchase is usually subject to survey and sea trial, so there's still time to confirm the boat is right before closing.

Do I need a yacht broker at a boat show?

You don't need one, but it helps. Every boat at the show is represented by someone selling it. A buyer's broker works for you, compares boats across brands, and brings comparable sales data to the conversation.

What does the VIP Buyer Experience include?

A short list built before the show, a private four hour guided tour one on one, comparable sales data on the boats you like, show admission for two, parking and lunch, plus offer strategy afterward and 90 days of sourcing if the right boat isn't at the show.

I'm selling my boat. Is the show season a good time to review my listing?

Yes. Buyers are active and comparing listings during show season. A free Listing Upgrade Report reviews your price position, photos, description and exposure, with clear next steps.

Let's walk the docks together

A boat show can be a fun weekend or a smart buying trip. With a plan, it can be both.

Come down to the docks in January. Walk aboard, ask questions, and enjoy downtown St. Pete. Just don't walk it alone.

If you'd like a Tampa Bay yacht broker on your side at the show, request your VIP consultation on the St. Pete Boat Show VIP Buyer Experience page: https://premiumyachtmarketplace.com/st-pete-boat-show-vip-buyer-experience

**About the author**

Michael J. Johnson is a Licensed Florida Yacht Advisor (EBK12498) with Autograph Yacht Group and the creator of MJ Yacht Pro, with more than 25 years in business. He works with buyers and sellers from Palm Harbor and Dunedin to St. Petersburg, Sarasota, Venice and Fort Myers, and with remote buyers throughout the USA. Based in St. Petersburg, servicing the Gulf Coast of Florida and throughout the USA. See his full profile and reviews.