Detroit Boat Show Might See $50 Million In Sales, Organizers Say

When the Detroit Boat Show sails on into the Cobo Center Feb. 17, the event will mark its 60th anniversary in the motor city. The show will occupy over 420,000 square feet inside Cobo, with exhibitions and boats of every possible design, size and purpose.

“As we celebrate our 60th year of the Detroit Boat Show, it’s great to see a thriving boating industry in Michigan,” said boat show manager Nicki Polan. “We have more exhibitors, taking more space and bringing in more product, which makes for a bigger and
better show that is sure to impress our attendees.”

The show expects to draw over 60,000 visitors, all looking to check out — and maybe even purchase - one of the hundreds of boats on display. There will be fishing boats, water skiing boats, wakeboarding, cruising, and paddle boats, not to mention kayaks, paddleboards and inflatables. The event organizer tout the Detroit Boat Show as the best place to buy a new boat, noting in a release that “Show prices are also extremely competitive and buying a boat in February assures boats will be ready for an early spring launch.”

According to boat show organizers, area boat dealers say they attribute up to half of annual sales to sales and leads generated at the show. Surveys reported that roughly 1,500 boats, worth an estimated $50 million, usually sell during the nine days the Boat Show is dropping anchor, or just afterwards.

In addition to the chance to buy a dream boat, the show will also offer fun events for families, including exhibits selling boat accessories, services and water toys. There will be special promotions to mark the show’s diamond anniversary, including a special 60th anniversary historical display, enter-to-win a grand diamond prize, a yeti-A-day giveaway, rail jam wakeboarding shows, Twiggy the Waterskiing Squirrel, waterwalkerz and rollerz, a kid’s craft area, and even the chance to meet a live mermaid.

Admission to the boat show is $13 for adults; children 12 and under are free with an adult.

Special admission days include:

• Mon., Feb. 19: Senior Day – seniors 65 and older receive free admission during show hours (11 a.m. – 6 p.m.).
• Tues., Feb. 20: Ladies Day – Ladies get in free.
• Wed., Feb. 21: A Boat Load of Food – Donate 5 cans of food to Gleaners Food Bank between 3 & 6 p.m. to get in free
• Thurs., Feb. 22: Millennials’ Night Out, Career Day, AND Boat Show Gives Back

Guests ages 30 and under receive free admission show hours (3 – 9 p.m.), and the show will also host a career day for high school and college students interested in finding out more about careers in the boat industry, including marine technology

The show’s hours are Saturdays, 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.; Sundays & Monday: 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.; Tuesday through Friday: 3 p.m. – 9 p.m. Parking is available at Cobo Center and surrounding lots. For more information, visit the Detroit Boat Show online.