Maine Boat & Home Show

2026 Show Highlights

• A fleet of beautiful boats in the water and on land
• Tents filled with artisans, craftspeople and boatbuilders
• Marine products and expert advice
• Daily live music
• Van Life Campground Display
• Free educational seminars
• Special events and live demos
• Fabulous local food trucks
• Plein air painting opportunities
• Film Series with MOFF & The Strand Theatre

Free Seminar Series

The Maine Boat & Home Show Seminar Series will take place on the Show Stage at Harbor Park. Sessions are free and open to all attendees.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 7

11 a.m. Canoes Built for Maine, with Ben Emory. This session will review the various types of canoes that have evolved to suit the needs of those exploring Maine waters.

12 p.m. Buying and Owning a Sailboat. A panel of experts will discuss boat buying issues, including finding the right sailboat, the purchase process, finance and insurance, vessel surveys, cost of ownership and more. Panelists include Gerry Douglas, formerly of Catalina Yachts, Annie Gray, owner of Gray and Gray Yachts, and Steve Bunnell, marine surveyor.

1 p.m. Gearing Up to Race Round the World, with Ronnie Simpson. Veteran singlehanded sailor Ronnie Simpson will discuss his first attempt to circle the globe non-stop in the Global Solo Challenge and his plans leading up the next running of the race, which begins in October, 2027. You can also visit his boat on the show docks. Simpson and the The Koloa Maoli are based out of Portland.

2 p.m. Gel Coat Repair Tips, with Charlie Grover, Back Cove Yachts. Learn to fix those docking dings and keep your boat looking sharp.

3 p.m. The Evolution of the Jericho Bay Skiff, with skiff owner and Professional Boatbuilder editor Aaron Porter, and Duane Bunch, Yacht Designer. Learn how a Joel White designed runabout, built by Jimmy Steele in Brooklin, gave birth to plans for the DIY builder and eventually became the vessel of choice for students at the Landing School.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 8

11 a.m. A New Take on Boatbuilding, with Boat Evolution. A Maine start-up company has big plans for its facility in Steuben that will employ additive manufacturing to build small, efficient boats, designed for electric propulsion, from recycled materials.

12 p.m.  SeaStrings Acoustic Music Jam. Stop by for some foot-tapping good music, performed by local artists.

1:30 p.m. Buying and Owning a Powerboat. A panel of experts will discuss boat buying issues, including finding the right boat, the purchase process, finance and insurance, vessel surveys, cost of ownership and more. 

2:15 p.m. Hit the Road. Exhibitors from the show’s Van Life Campground will be on hand to discuss vehicle options, how to plan a trip, what to bring, what to expect on the road and more. Participants include Bear Claw Custom Vans, the Maine Adventure Co., and Vintage Van Adventures.

3:15 p.m. Gearing Up to Race Round the World, with Ronnie Simpson. Veteran singlehanded sailor Ronnie Simpson will discuss his first attempt to circle the globe non-stop in the Global Solo Challenge and his plans leading up the next running of the race, which begins in October, 2027. You can also visit his boat on the show dock. Simpson and the The Koloa Maoli are based out of Portland.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 9

10:30 a.m. A Plein Air Primer, with Stephen Florimbi. Rockport artist Stephen Florimbi will introduce attendees to the brushes, paints, and other gear needed to get started as a plein air artist, suggest options for learning more about the style of painting, and as time allows, demonstrate some basic skills he uses when framing a scene.

11:30 a.m. Art Show at the Show. Maine plein air painters will display the works they created during the Maine Boat & Home Show. 

Book Signings with Maine Authors Publishing

Meet local authors

Some of the independent, locally published writers and illustrators who work with Maine Authors Publishing will be on hand to chat and sign books. Tent A.

Friday, AUGUST 7

10 a.m. - 12 p.m. Susan Vaughan, author of Stowaways, Sleigh Magic

12 p.m. - 2 p.m. Sara McQuarrie, author of Hidden Strength

Saturday, AUGUST 8

10 a.m. - 12 p.m. Laurie Brooks Evans, author of Mount Battie's Christmas Star

12 p.m. - 2 p.m. Wilbur Vanderslice, author of The Mermaid Stone

2 p.m. - 5 p.m. Grace Reed, author of Hitchin' to Maine

Sunday, AUGUST 9

12 p.m. - 2 p.m. Robert Monroe, author of Bungalow Terrace

2026 Special Events

Van Life Campground

New this year!

The Van Life Campground, featuring several new exhibitors with self-contained land excursion options ranging from custom vans that you own yourself to rugged vehicles you can rent for off-the-grid adventures. There are even icon VW Vanagans—"the Swiss Army Knife of campers"—that have been renovated and stocked with all the gear you'll need to get up and go.

An incredible opportunity to meet with Maine's premier custom van builders and restoration experts.   

 

 

Maritime Film Series

Maine Outdoor Film Festival (MOFF) at The Strand Theatre

Date: Saturday, August 8, 2026
Doors: 7 PM
Films begin at: 8 PM
Location: Strand Theatre, 345 Main Street, Rockland

Tickets: Click here for a $2 ticket discount and free popcorn compliments of the Maine Boat & Home Show with discount code BOATSHOW.
Presented in partnership with: Strand Theatre and Maine Boat & Home Show
Program notes: The film program will last about 90 minutes. 
To view the complete list of films, click here.