Detroit Boat Show

Denny

Well-known member
Gold Site Supporter
Jan 27th thru May 4th
Another day of entertainment for me.
Years ago the Cleveland and Detroit Shows were in separate months, never this close, and not to mention they were a lot bigger.
Last year one of the venders that I know, said that the Cleveland Show made the isles wider so the show would take up more space to make the show look bigger.
The Cleveland show I will go alone or with another boating friend. Detroit, Mama comes along for the ride, I drop her off at one of the casinos and then it is on to the show for me.
 
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Doc

Liquid Addiction
Staff member
Detroit show sounds like it could get expensive, or, she'll get lucky and win enough to buy some kewl boat toys.
Good luck.
 

Denny

Well-known member
Gold Site Supporter
Detroit show sounds like it could get expensive, or, she'll get lucky and win enough to buy some kewl boat toys.
Good luck.
No, just dinner afterwards. Lol boats or slots, boats or slots, they both take your money, and leave you with memories.
The money that I save by not gambling allows me to put gas in my girl, and to me that is money well spent.
 
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Denny

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Gold Site Supporter
Well made it to the Detroit show, which is a lot easier to get to then the Cleveland show, by way of Greek Town and the people mover, which by the way of some grant is free in 2024. I personally thought it was well done. They gave you a little bit of everything. Chaparral was well represented. I thought that I was in the city of pontoons, I have never seen so many pontoon boats in one place, it seamed as if there were as many pontoons as the rest of the boats added together. Been to all the shows. My girl is sitting quietly in here room ready to go, just need to take her off the jack stands, light her up to drain out the antifreeze, top off the oil, and head to the launch ramp when Mother Nature says it's time for me to get her bottom wet. Now it is time to work on other projects the need my attention before spring comes.

Did anyone else get to either the Cleveland or the Detroit shows, if so what do you think of them?

Now if you had 1/2 mil that you were not sure what you would like to have, which would you choose, a 31 ft Formula or a Ski Nautique,
(which by the the way the porta potty is an option). Lol
 
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Doc

Liquid Addiction
Staff member
I see more and more pontoons in our boating pool on the Ohio River. I guess a lot of folks like them.
If I had a half mil I would walk away from both of those boats you mentioned. If I needed a new to me boat I would shop for a used one in like new shape with low hours for less than half the price of new. It's not that hard to do if you are willing to travel to get what you want.
Did you find any neat gadgets at the shows?
 

Denny

Well-known member
Gold Site Supporter
I see more and more pontoons in our boating pool on the Ohio River. I guess a lot of folks like them.
If I had a half mil I would walk away from both of those boats you mentioned. If I needed a new to me boat I would shop for a used one in like new shape with low hours for less than half the price of new. It's not that hard to do if you are willing to travel to get what you want.
Did you find any neat gadgets at the shows?
I'm with you, I'm happy being second. In fact awhile ago, I flew to Virginia Beach to buy a van that I wanted.
Again I say, needs are not expensive, but wants are. Lol
Nothing that would make you say, MAN I GOT TO HAVE ONE OF THOSE.
Just the usual non boating stuff, someone selling knives, scissors, cutlery items. Someone with something to clean something, they cleaned your glasses as the demo, not mine. Did not stop to watch, I'd seen it before, still don't know what the product cleans. (maybe someone out there knows)
Did not see any fishing demos, or antique boat clubs. Could be the cost, I talked with a guy at the Cleveland show that took up a space of a small 2 car garage. For 4 days it cost him $7,000.00
As we have said before, shows are not what they use to be, in fact nothing is.😢
But hey, I am glad that I went, I had a great time, and got to talk with a lot of nice people.
 
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SST

Active member
I haven't been to a boat show for a while. The last show I was at, way too many pontoon boats. And no Chap Sig270 anymore. I will likely keep mine to the end so I have no significant reason to window shop.

I'm like an airline, In some cases its cheaper to operate an older aircraft that's not as efficient but is paid for vs a new efficient aircraft that requires monthly payments.
 
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