Chicago Boat Show this Weekend!

[jbheuerman]

This will be my first trip to the Chicago Boat Show...any advice?? Things I shouldn't miss? I will be there on Saturday, which I'm sure it will be packed!

I've been the the one in St. Louis many times...but it has gotten bad the last couple of years with many vendors backing out.

Can't wait to see a bigger variety at Chicago!

[wolfeman131]

This will be my first trip to the Chicago Boat Show...any advice??

Either leave your wallet or your wife at home.

[KG's Supra24]

Either leave your wallet or your wife at home.

I'm guessing Mrs. Wolfeman won't be attending the ATL show?

Still wondering if you are trying to budget with 4 credits or 5 credits. ;)

I have no advice as far as the boat show goes. I just go and crawl through as many as possible until the wife says its time to go. I did see a skeeter with a tower at our boat show last year. Is that the type of variety you are looking for? :p

[Hoopskier]

We went to the Chicago Boat show last year. This was our first experience for a boat show. Nothing like it in central WI. They had a dog jumping thing last year along with a wakeboard rail demonstration. They did also have campers there to if that is your thing. Thats about all I remember for the boat show. Then there is everything else that Chicago offers.

For us its only a once in a couple of year thing to go to. Lots of boats, all for sale. Just teasing yourself if your not in the buying market.

[wolfeman131]

I'm guessing Mrs. Wolfeman won't be attending the ATL show?

Dude, I've been pre-approved!

[jmvotto]

Dude, I've been pre-approved!

Big 242 here he comes.

[jmb]

The Birmingham Alabama boat show is getting smaller every year. I hope this one will survive. They quit the wakeboard rails here because the guys were going to the hospital. Guess it wasn't a good plan

[KG's Supra24]

Big 242 here he comes.

I knew he was trying to throw us off throwing up the 4 credit worksheet and not the 5 credit one :)

Sent from my Xoom using Tapatalk

[wolfeman131]

Same as Dusty's Mom said first time we met: "I don't know if I'm ready to go that big yet."

[Suprahunter]

I used to live 40 miles from Chicago . The boat show has gotten smaller over the years. No sailboats they now have their own show. The new area dealer Lauderdale Lake is A1 with both SC and Nautique boats. My favorite show in that area was the Indianapolis boat show it combines boat ,fish,RV and Motorcycle.

[jbheuerman]

Well, thanks for the tips...hopefully they have a good display this year!

[ChrisK]

I'll be hitting up the Chicago show either Friday or Saturday as well, have a few friends that live downtown so I might make a pretty awesome weekend of it. It kind of sounds like there won't be many manufacturers present at the show though, just dealers. Sounds like they'll either be at Miami next week or Atlanta this weekend, don't blame them though.

[ian ashton]

I think dad and I are going to shoot out there to check it out.

[deerfield]

Went today to the Chicago boat show. As in past years, the venue was McCormick Place.

Parking: $19. Adult entry: $10. Hotdog and soda: $8.

Lots of boats. Brands: Moomba, Supra, Nautique, MasterCraft, Malibu, Centurian, and Tige. Both direct and v-drive models. Lots and lots of the pickle fork style.

Enjoyed seeing a sweet, white and orange, retro 16-footer Glastron. Base price for the GT-160: $17,998.

Also enjoyed Miss Geiko, again. Exhaust stack on each of her two turbines is 20” in diameter. Top speed: 170 mph. Next to her was a drag boat. Top speed when dialed in: 230 mph.

New attraction is the scuba pool. Anyone can suit up and give it a try. Young girl was having a good time while her mom and dad gave words of encouragement. The wakeboard pool was in use by fishermen.

Largest inboard ski boat dealer in the Midwest is Lauderdale Lakes. Carries Moomba, Supra, and Nautique lines. Company president Jesse Gaengel was doing a TV interview when we arrived.

Mojo is a monster boat. Lots of room. If I was a boarder or surfer and in the market for a boat, I’d definitely take a look. I liked the black/white color combination.

Next week is the boat show in Milwaukee. Won’t be as big as Chicago, but it’ll be just as much fun at half the price!

[deerfield]

Having technical difficult posting more pics. Come back later.

[deerfield]

retro Glastron GT-160

[deerfield]

Mojo 2.5 white on black

[deerfield]

more pics from Chicago show

[deerfield]

more show pics

[deerfield]

fun stuff at show

[deerfield]

Drag race boat and Miss Geiko

[rdlangston13]

Also enjoyed Miss Geiko, again. Exhaust stack on each of her two turbines is 20” in diameter. Top speed: 170 mph.



last thing i saw on miss geico she was knocking down like 220 mph

[ian ashton]

That Glastron was a good looking boat. Chicago boat show was great! By far better than last years Detroit.

After seeing the Mojo, I must admit I wasn't super impressed. The swivel racks with black forks are crap (I guess those are the same on all the new towers), the dash is horrendous. The snappier carpet and new platform is cool.


I do love the metallic carbon interior inserts though, that is a huge upgrade.

[ian ashton]

I loved this on the '12 Outback, I'll be ordering these on Monday from Atlanta Marine!
http://img.tapatalk.com/a6cd0d33-2190-00d1.jpg

Nautique 200, now has a window to view the engine, pretty amazing boat;
http://img.tapatalk.com/a6cd0d33-21aa-2299.jpg


Wake Edition Pontoon, lol;
http://img.tapatalk.com/a6cd0d33-21db-b37d.jpg

[ChrisK]

Just got back from the Chicago show.

Just a decent show, I thought, nothing too over the top.

I also wasn't too impressed with the Mojo, little things like a driver's arm rest that is too narrow to rest your arm on added up to what seemed like a cheap ride. But I do understand it is a cheaper ride and I'd love the chance to see the wake in person.

The 242 was downright impressive. I thought it and the Malibu MXZ were definitely the two top wake boats in attendance.