Buy Boats at the Connecticut Fall Boat Show

Boats at a marina in fall

Connecticut Fall Boat Show in Branford — October 7 Weekend

As temperatures drop and New England shifts from summer greens to a palette of orange and red, boat buyers and enthusiasts are already planning next year’s cruising adventures. With that in mind, the long weekend beginning Friday, October 7 is an ideal time to shop boats and explore new models and brokerage offerings at the inaugural Connecticut Fall Boat Show.

The show is produced by the AIM Marine Group — publisher of Soundings, Soundings Trade Only, Power & Motoryacht, Passagemaker, Sail, Anglers Journal and Yachts International — and will be held at Safe Harbor Bruce & Johnsons marina in Branford, Connecticut. This first-ever fall event aims to bring together dealers, brokers and manufacturers for a relaxed, end-of-season opportunity to compare boats in one location.

Attendees can expect a broad selection of brands and styles on display. Confirmed manufacturers and brokerage lines include Pardo, Beneteau, Tiara, Pursuit, Sabre, Edgewater and several Blackfin models, among others. The roster of exhibitors continues to grow as organizers add additional dealers and brokers, giving visitors a wide range of powerboats, center consoles, cruisers and sailboats to examine in person.

Whether you’re searching for a brokerage find, a new model for next season, or simply want to talk to industry professionals, the Connecticut Fall Boat Show offers an accessible setting to research options and compare features. Many brokerage listings will be on-site, allowing prospective buyers to ask questions about maintenance history, equipment and seasonal preparation. Manufacturer booths will showcase the latest layouts, propulsion options and electronics packages for those shopping new boats.

Below is a curated gallery of brokerage vessels and models representative of what you’ll see at the show. Captions identify the make and model so you can plan which boats to inspect first when you arrive. Please note that the exhibitor roster and brokerage inventory may change as additional boats are added in the days leading up to the event.

Pardo 38′
1988 Pursuit 26′, WHATEVA
Aquasport 21CC
Beneteau 373
Blackfin 222cc
Blackfin 232DC
Viking 68
Blackfin 252CC
2005 Formula PC27
Blackfin 252DC
1961 Pearson Arendal 37
Blackfin 272CC
Tiara 5200
Blackfin 272DC
Blackfin 302CC
Carolina Skiff 23 Ultra
Key West 239FS
Nordstar 25
Sabre 42 CB, TIOGA
Pursuit 26
Sabre 42 CB, TIOGA Interior
Steiger Craft 23 Miami
Stingray 172SC
Stingray 192SC
Stingray 201DC
2011 Cornish Crabber Mystery 35 Sailboat
2008 330 Sea Ray Sundancer
2020 208CC Edgewater

Editors from the AIM Marine Group will be attending the show; if you spot members of the editorial team on the docks, feel free to say hello and ask questions. Conversations with editors, brokers and manufacturers are a great way to gather unbiased perspective on market trends, resale factors and the practical differences between models.

If you plan to visit, allow time to walk the docks and compare layouts, storage, electronics and systems. This fall show provides a quieter environment than the busiest summer boat shows, giving buyers and curious boaters a better opportunity to inspect boats closely and speak one-on-one with sellers and brand representatives.

Marina view in autumn
Boats lined up at the marina