25 Years at the Annapolis Sailboat Show | A Milestone to Remember!

This year’s Annapolis Sailboat Show in Maryland, USA was a truly special one for the Horizon Team — our 25th year exhibiting our tax free yacht ownership offerings, bareboat, skippered, luxury crewed and American Sailing learn to sail charters at this iconic event!

From October sunshine (most of the time ) to lively docks filled with passionate sailors and aspiring sailors, the 2025 Annapolis Sailboat Show was one for the books. Our team of nine flew in from all corners of the globe to connect with industry partners, yacht owners, charter guests, and soon-to-be sailors.

We were especially thrilled to introduce Rhys, Charter Sales Manager, and Noah, Captain, Sailing Instructor & Water Taxi Operator, to the Annapolis Scene — both attending their first-ever Annapolis Boat Show and diving right into the action.

A Celebration of Connections

During the four days of the show in the quaint historic capital city of MD, also known as "America's Sailing Capital", we caught up with long-time Horizon owners who pop by every year, welcomed back returning charter guests, and made new friends ready to discover the signature Horizon experience and the wonders of sailing the Caribbean.

A Haven of Yachts

Marked by strong attendance and optimism, the show featured 23 debuting sailboats, including three world premieres and 20 North American debuts. Among these were the Beneteau First 30, Beneteau Oceanis 47, – Beneteau Oceanis 52 and the Fountaine Pajot New 44.

Presented as part of Fountaine Pajot's 2025 lineup, the New 44 attracted significant attention. Designed to offer improved living spaces, comfort, and performance over its predecessor, the FP New 44, key features include:

• Expanded living area: A large, three-meter sliding glass door connects the aft cockpit and saloon, creating a seamless, open living space. The total living area on the 44-foot model is 88 square meters (947 square feet).
• Comfortable decks: A semi-raised flybridge offers extensive seating and two sunbeds, while the forward cockpit has a large sunbathing area.
• Eco-friendly propulsion: The ODSea+ electric hybrid option offers two 25kW electric motors, large solar panels for charging, and hydrogeneration, which charges the batteries while the boat is sailing.
• Improved design: A slightly inverted deck sheer and subtle hull chines increase both interior volume and hydrodynamic performance.

The FP New 44 - along with the FP 41 and FP55 - was nominated for Cruising World’s Boat of the Year 2026 and SAIL Magazine’s 2026 Best Boats awards

Remaining one step ahead of the game, Horizon had placed an early order for the Maestro Version (owner's) – the same layout as displayed at the show: The owner's suite occupies the entire port hull, featuring a spacious cabin and a flexible forward area that can serve as an office, workshop, or children's cabin. Named “Quo Vadis”, she delivers to the BVI in December 2025 and is available for charter and tax-free ownership for private use or charter management in the Horizon fleet in the BVI with the new owners benefitting from forward income.

The  Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 440 on display at our stand on Dock I, Vacation Basin, was a popular stop. A sistership to the two in the Horizon fleet in the BVI, the SO 440 turned heads (and some minds!) as visitors compared and considered the model and layout as a potential yacht for ownership.

On the Jeanneau stand, the Sun Odyssey 415 made her North American debut. The "all-new" model for the North American market, features a new generation design, walkaround decks, and a focus on easy handling and modern comfort.

The Jeanneau Yachts 55 also continued to impress following her USA debut at the 2024 Annapolis Sailboat Show. Named the "Overall Boat of the Year" in the Cruising World 2024 awards, Horizon Yacht Charters is excited to welcome the only Jeanneau Yachts 55, Casbah IV, available for charter in the Americas. The yacht has an innovative "dual cockpit" design, separating the sailing functions forward from the guest relaxation areas aft. She also features a unique interior layout with separate access to the two aft guest cabins from the cockpit. She is available in the Horizon BVI charter fleet as a bareboat or skippered charter and is also available with the Ultimate Captained charter package that includes a captain, a selection of premium water toys and an upgraded, 60HP, center console super tender.

Other Jeanneaus on display at the stand included the Sun Odyssey 350, Sun Odyssey 380, Sun Odyssey 440 and Jeanneau Yachts 65.

With Horizon team members present on the Lagoon and Nautitech stands, Robin and Giles met with potential buyers to provide private tours and explore the latest models  - including the premiering Lagoon 38 - and to discuss tax free Caribbean yacht ownership programmes, whether for private use or charter management in the Horizon fleets in the BVI and St. Vincent & the Grenadines.

New Horizons Ahead

Delighted to make their Caribbean sailing dreams a reality at the Annapolis Sailboat Show, we were thrilled to welcome two new sets of Horizon yacht owners into the family.  We’re looking forward to their arrival at the Horizon Yacht Charters base in Nanny Cay on Tortola, BVI and helping them set sail on the first of many island-hopping adventures aboard their respective new home-from-home – Jeanneau 440 “Rhythm & Blues” and Lagoon 42 “Island Riff”.

With a record number of visitors ready  to experience the islands on a sailing charter, we’re looking forward to hosting many of our Annapolis guests on their first (or tenth!) bareboat, captained, luxury crewed, or learn-to-sail adventure in the BVI, St. Vincent & the Grenadines and beyond!

After 25 years at the Annapolis Sailboat Show, we’re as proud as ever of how far we’ve come — and more inspired than ever for what’s next.

Here’s to another incredible season ahead, and to all of you who make the Horizon community what it is. See you on the docks!