Make the Most of Boat Shows

Are you making plans to attend The Michigan City In-Water Boat Show? We’re headed that way and will be there Thursday, August 25 through Sunday, August 28. See us on shore and at the docks with new boats from Chaparral, Pursuit, and Scout!

Boat shows are a great place to purchase a boat. You have the opportunity to compare a wide selection of boats, talk to experts, dealers and manufacturers. To make the most of your time at the show, come with a plan. The following tips will help you make finding, and buying, the boat of your dreams much easier.

Choose Your Day Wisely

Thursday and Friday will have lighter crowds and shorter waits for boat displays. Saturday and Sunday typically have “bumper to bumper traffic”. It’s best 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 some of the other popular models.

Do Your Homework

There are different styles and sizes of boats to choose from. It’s hard to make a decision if you haven’t already narrowed down your choices. Before attending the 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. That way, when you visit us at the boat show, you’ll be able to spend more time on the boat or boats that interest you the most.

Come Prepared

When you come to the boat show, you should bring these things with you.

1. Questions - Bring all your questions. We’ll have an expert team on hand to help you understand everything there is to know about the boating lifestyle and the different boats.

2. Notebook - You may want to take notes about and/or compare different boat models, sizes, how many people can fit or how much fuel the boat can hold. Record your observations about each boat that you are interested in. Write down what you liked or didn't like about each model.

3. Printed Address Labels - If you plan to visit multiple vendors during the show, 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.

4. Camera - Take 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 be afraid to climb aboard! Have a seat at the helm (the Captains chair), open doors and check for storage room or take a peek at the head (the restroom). Wear shoes that are easy to slip on and off since shoes are not allowed on boats. We want you to feel comfortable spending time on the boats that will fit your lifestyle.

As always, our friendly staff can answer any and all questions you may have. We can't wait to see you at the show!