Chicago and Milwaukee Boat Shows

[deerfield]

Let me know if there are pictures you would like from these shows. The invitation extends to anyone, especially you guys who are not in a market with a boat show. Chicago dates are 1/13 - 1/17. Milwaukee's are 1/15 - 1/24. I will attend Chicago for sure and hope to get to Milwaukee. Though the smaller and less expensive of the two, Milwaukee has some vendors that are fun - like the organization that promotes club level hydroplane racing. I'm reaching out to the shows' organizers to make sure there won't be a problem with the camera. Last year security at McCormick Place (site of Chicago show) gave me a hard time. Will post pics as a new album and definitely be checking out the boats and merchandise at Skiers Choice booth.

[deerfield]

Ed - I spoke yesterday with the National Marine Manufacturers Association show manager and have a green light for taking a camrea into the Chicago show. So, pictures will not be a problem. In addition, I spoke with Skiers Choice corporate to confirm that it will be at the show in Chicago as well as Milwaukee. The answers were yes and yes, and the dealer on site for both shows will be Lauderdale Lakes Marina, through which both Sled and I purchased our Outbacks. Not sure who from the factory, if any at all, will be at the shows. But, I will get pictures and names of whoever shows up, and, per your reauerst picture of the drain plug in the new V-drive boats. Since no one said anyting about pretty women, if any of those are standing around I'll just keep those pictures to myself. - Deerfield

[kaneboats]

Lots of married guys on here. Of course we don't want to discourage anyone from posting items of interest in good taste.

[Sled491]

Here here Deerfield, lets not be too quick to discount an album of new models that stand on there own two lets :D

I'm just looking for anything new and interesting that is out there, especially from aftermarket manufactuers as they produce stuff we can actually put to use.

[Suprahunter]

I went to the Chicago boat show on Thursday. SC had a good showing with many boats on display. I met Neal and he showed me the new LCD display it was very impressive. Even though the show was smaller than last year the in boards were very plentiful.

http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn127/suprahunter/Chicago%20Boat%20Show/supranauti042.jpg

http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn127/suprahunter/Chicago%20Boat%20Show/supranauti049.jpg

http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn127/suprahunter/Chicago%20Boat%20Show/supranauti048.jpg

http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn127/suprahunter/Chicago%20Boat%20Show/supranauti047.jpg

[Suprahunter]

More pics

http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn127/suprahunter/Chicago%20Boat%20Show/supranauti045.jpg

http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn127/suprahunter/Chicago%20Boat%20Show/supranauti044.jpg

http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn127/suprahunter/Chicago%20Boat%20Show/supranauti043.jpg

http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn127/suprahunter/Chicago%20Boat%20Show/supranauti050.jpg

[Suprahunter]

And more

http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn127/suprahunter/Chicago%20Boat%20Show/supranauti051.jpg

http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn127/suprahunter/Chicago%20Boat%20Show/supranauti052.jpg

[Sled491]

Very nice, did you get to meet any SC people?

[deerfield]

Just want to add to Suprahunter's report.

Went today to the Chicago show (same show Suprahunter attended earlier in the week). Arrived at ten and stayed until two. Enjoyed every minute of the four hours. Spent time visiting the good folks at the Lauderdale Lakes Marina booth. It is distributor of Moomba, Supra, and Correct Craft boats. No reps from Skiers Choice (while I was at show). Did get to speak with Lauderdale general manager Jesse and pro rider Dave Briscoe. Good news. Per Jesse, sales are good. People are buying. Much improved over the 2009 show.

Ed - Below are pictures of the drain plug in the 2010 v-drive models.

Sled - Nothing in the way of after market products. Sorry. I might find something next weekend at the Milwaukee show. If so, will take pictures for you.

Dog jump was a real treat. Totally unexpected and lots of fun to watch dogs who enjoy the water and have a great disposition.

Check out my 2010 Chicago Boat Show album. Lots to see. New as well as antiques. Mostly Skiers Choice products, but also a few of the competition. Two pages of pictures. Sorry they are not in order. No way to move them around after uploading.

[BobP]

Suprahunter,

Nice pics. I was there same day as you...and, unfortunately :), you actually caught me and my father-in-law in one of your shots...the light blue/black Moomba. Sorry for ruining your shot.

We also checked out other similar boats, but our take is that the Supras were the classiest , just cleaner lines and not so gaudy.

[Sled491]

to make it easier for people to look inside the boat without getting in the boat

[deerfield]

to make it easier for people to look inside the boat without getting in the boat

Sled is spot on. I went to another boat show today, asked the question of a dealer, and got the same answer.

[skiyaker]

Sorry I missed you at the show, Deerfield. I was probably there taking to Dave Briscoe about the same time you were- but then I wasn't sure enough what you looked like to go up and start asking "Hey are you Deerfield?" ha ha

Anyways- enjoyed the show; next up for me is the Indy boat sport and travel show Feb 19-28

[deerfield]

skiyaker - Hey, I'm sorry we passed like a couple of ships in the night. Would have been great to meet you. Hope you enjoy the Indiana show. Next weekend I'm going north about ninety minutes to the Milwaukee boat show. Then, because I'm addicted to all things boating, I will go to the March 4 - 6 boat show hosted by the Fox Lake Boat Dealers Association. Not sure what to do with myself between the Fox Lake show and start of the boating season. Maybe just sit and look longingly at my Outback. - Deerfield

[NAW]

Thanks for all of the pictures guys, great job. Nice to finally meet you Michael.

Steve Harbaugh (Midwest SC rep) was there on Friday as well as Sunday (He was in Milwaukee on Saturday). Briscoe was there Friday evening thru Sunday. I was there Wednesday thru Sunday and will be in Milwaukee this Friday through Sunday. If you're in town, stop by and say hi. The name is Neil and I am on the far left in the picture of the four ugly guys.

We had two dealers, Lauderdale Lakes (Elkhorn, WI) and Apollo Marine (Lawton, MI) in Chicago this week. The show went well for us (when compared to our competition), but there is still some economic improvement needed.

Hope everyone had fun!

-Neil

[jbheuerman]

Great pic's everybody. Wish I could have made it up there. I had the opportunity to take a few lessons with Brisco about two years ago as he was passing through central Illinois. Great guy! Great Instructor as well. Can't wait till the STL Boat Show!

[Sled491]

Just got back into town, think I will hit the Milwaukee show this saturday. Any one else going to be there then?

[deerfield]

Just got back into town, think I will hit the Milwaukee show this saturday. Any one else going to be there then?

Sled - I will be at the Milwaukee show on Saturday. My best guess is, arriving around 5:00 p.m. and hanging out until the 9:00 closing. There is a Big 10 swim meet at Northwestern University I want to see that starts at 11:00 that morning and probably wraps up around 2:30. Will stop by the house and then head north. What's your schedule Saturday? - Deerfield

[Sled491]

Deerfield, nothing in stone, I was thinking after lunch sometime, maybe 2 or 3, I would probably still be around by 5 or 6 for sure.

[deerfield]

Went to the Milwaukee boat show. Most of it was a duplicate of the Chicago show. Not unexpected. But, found a model club with a dozen or so boats on display. Here are five of them.

[deerfield]

Again, nothing really new or different at the Milwaukee show. Here's five more pics.

Also, ran into Sled and family. Nice surprise, but almost did not recognize them. They were out of context at the show, hanging out on a pontoon boat and wearing winter clothes. Took me a few seconds to connect the dots. Anyway, had a nice visit.

[Sled491]

I loved that Swizter with the ole Merc. I also liked that old 1959 (I think) 14' Mastercraft. I would love to find one like that and do the restoration, I think it would be a great project. Great to see you again Deerfield. My wife was laughing all the way home, thinking about how you didn't recognize me all cleaned up :)

[skiyaker]

thanks for the pics deerfield- cool models. I'll try to snaps some pics next month at the Indy show- it's more fishing based than the Chicago show was, but I just saw on the website that they're going to have "Twiggy the water-skiing squirrel" there.

[Sled491]

My son snuck off to go meet Twiggy and got to pet him and had some one on one time with Twiggy and it's handler after the crowd had left. Funny I saw twiggy way back in the day when I still lived in Canada.