Houston's Bay Area floats its boats this weekend for the Southwest International In-Water Boat Show, an annual event that showcases the best vessels anchored in League City's South Shore Harbour Marina from April 6–9.

Celebrating its ninth year, the boat show will host a multitude of programs for boat enthusiasts. Board fresh and saltwater boats from some of the world’s top manufacturers who are on deck to answer questions or simply lend a hand to help you on board.  

For serious boat buyers, insurance companies and lending institutions will be on site to aid in your purchase or just offer advice. There will also be educational workshops and hourly seminars that are free (with $10 admission) to guests, including Docking for Couples and Basic Coastal Navigation. Top your day off with food from local food trucks as well as live music from bands like The Flip Flop Man and Jerry Diaz & Hanna’s Reef.

For the landlubbers—a nautical term for someone unfamiliar with the sea—there will be more than 200 vendors back on dry land. Find products for boating, fishing, marine electronics and hardware. And for those less interested in boats but are tagging along to be a good sport, check out the assortment of booths, like Glass Mermaids, that sells unique nautical-themed treasures, like knit mermaid tail blankets.

In addition to shopping, there will be opportunities to spend some time on the water with the CareFree Boat Club's Take the Helm series for both novice sailors and seasoned skippers. Register online for one-hour ($55) and three-hour ($125) sessions.  

Whether you want to buy a boat or just ride a boat, this event is chock-full of things to do for the whole family. Just don't forget your deck shoes and sunscreen.

 April 6-9. $10 for adults; free for children 15 and under. South Shore Harbour Marina, 2551 South Shore Blvd, League City. 561-842-8808. southwestinternationalboatshow.com