Boat Show Tips

Come out to the Progressive Insurance Chicago Boat, Sports & RV Show. See boats and marine equipment as they were meant to be experienced — in a harbor setting! Browse boats and marine equipment docked at the harbor, or relax on the patio and order something to eat. Thursday–Saturday evenings you can listen to fantastic boating music. 

Here are a few tips to make your experience at the Progressive Insurance Chicago Boat, Sports & RV Show the best it can be.

Choose Your Day Wisely
Wednesday, Thursday and Friday have lighter crowds and shorter waits for boat displays. Saturday and Sunday typically have “bumper to bumper traffic” It's a good idea to arrive at opening time. Pick your favorite few boats to inspect before the rush and then wait until the middle of the afternoon to check out the other popular models.

Tickets
Once you have decided which day you would like to attend the boat show. Conveniently purchase tickets online. 
$12 Adults (16 & older)
$36 Adult Weekday 4-pack (16 & older) — The more the merrier! Buy three full-price weekday adult tickets and the fourth one is on the house. Just think…that $12 savings. This offer is valid for online purchase ONLY and is only good Wednesday, Thursday & Friday.
FREE for kids 15 & younger

Plan Your Day
It is always best to have a plan in mind as to how you will cover the features of the show that have the most interest to you. Serious boat buyers often come on Wednesday, Thursday or Friday when the crowds are not distracting. The same could be true if you intend to research some new deck hardware or re-powering your boat. Bring the kids along, free fishing for children 12 and younger. There's no limit to the fun! Catch-and-release trout pond, stocked with frisky trout is a great way to introduce kids to the sport of fishing. Adding to the fun—great prizes for any lucky little angler who catches a specially tagged trout.

Do Your Homework
Boat shows are a great way to begin your boat buying process. But with all the different styles and sizes to choose from, it’s hard to make a decision if you haven’t already narrowed down your choices. Before attending our boat show, visit our website and start looking at the different models we sell. While browsing, think about what you’ll use your boat for and how many people you’ll take out at a time. So when you visit us at the boat show, you’ll be able to spend more time on the boat that interests you the most.

Come Prepared
When you come to the boat show, you should bring a few things with you.
Questions - bring your questions. We’ll have our expert team on hand to help you understand everything there is to know about the boating lifestyle and the different types of boats.
Notebook - you will want to take notes about the different boat models, sizes, how many people can fit or how much fuel the boat can hold. Also, record your observations about each boat that you are interested in. Write down what you liked or didn't like about each model.
Printed Address Labels - if you plan to visit multiple vendors, bring pre-printed address labels that have your name and contact information. Many vendors ask for this information and having an address label ready to peel and stick will save you lots of time.
Camera - Bring along a camera to take your own pictures. Yes, there are brochures for the boats but they sometimes leave out images of features you may consider important.
Climb Aboard
Don't get nervous around the boat that interests you. Climb aboard! (Wear shoes that are easy to slip on and off since shoes are not allowed on boats.) We’re here for you and want you to feel comfortable spending time on the boats that fit your lifestyle. Go ahead and have a seat at the helm (the Captains chair), open doors, or even take a peek at the head (the restroom). Need more information? Our friendly staff will be more than happy to answer any questions you may have.

Lastly, don't forget to visit us at booth #3444. Our display will include the Chicago debut of the exciting Pursuit ST 310, plus an excellent selection of other models from the Pursuit line-up. We are looking forward to seeing you there!