Chicago Boat Show, January 14-18, 2009

By belle01 at Mon, 2008-08-18 21:49 | Boat Shows

This Information is Sponsored By:
Boat Loans from Excel Credit,
Always the Lowest Boat Financing Rates,
Call 800-337-7774:

Chicago Boat Show

Whether you’re an avid outdoorsman eager to see what’s new or are just looking for a way to escape winter for the day, the 79th Chicago Boat, RV & Outdoors Show is YOUR show! This annual 5-day event turns McCormick Place into a one-stop marketplace for outdoor fun— the best place to see and buy everything you need for your outdoor adventures! See and board hundreds of boats and explore the latest model RVs. Find gear and accessories for every outdoor activity imaginable, from boating, fishing and hunting to RVing, camping and more. Visit outfitters and resorts to plan your next trip or book a vacation, too. There’s really no better place to shop, compare and save!

Special attractions make a day at the show fun for the whole family! Compete in the Power Boat Docking Challenge. "Ooh & Ahh" at the canine skills of Dock Dogs. Watch casting demos and see native fish in action at the Texas Bass Tank. Kids can test their skills at the Huck Finn Trout Pond and build model boats, learn knot tying, and more at Captain Kids’ Discovery Point. There really is something for everyone!

Whether you’re new to boating or consider yourself quite the captain, be sure to stop by the Discover Boating Center. It’s your one-stop resource for the latest in boating information and expert, unbiased advice.

Dates & Location

January 14-18, 2009

McCormick Place--North Building

2301 S. Lake Shore Drive
Chicago, Illinois 60616

Show Hours:

Wednesday: 11:00am - 9:00pm
Thursday: 11:00am - 9:00pm
Friday: 11:00am - 9:00pm
Saturday: 10:00am - 9:00pm
Sunday: 10:00am - 6:00pm

Below are ticket prices and discounts for the 2008 show. Prices for 2009 subject to change.

Admission Prices:

$10 Adults (16 & older)
$30 Adults (16 & older) --

The more the merrier! Buy three full-price adult tickets and the fourth one is on the house. Just think…that $10 savings can go towards parking, the first round of hot dogs or that new boat or RV you’ve been waiting for. This offer is valid for online purchase ONLY.

$8 Senior (65 & older) -- Wednesday, January 16th ONLY
$4 Youth (13-15)
FREE for kids 12 & younger

Purchase Your Show Tickets Online Here:

** $2 discount coupons on weekday adult admission for ticket purchases at the show available at your Chicagoland Dominick's, exhibiting boat and RV dealerships, select GMC dealerships and select corporate Allstate offices **

Features at a Glance

Dock Dogs

NEW for 2009! Big Air Dogs and Extreme Vertical Competitions brings Dog Dogs, the jumping dog performance sport that is growing by leaps and bounds! Canine competitors run down a 40-foot dock into a 40-foot long pool of 4-foot deep water. Dock Dogs is sure to make a big splash at the show!

Location: Hall C1

Power Boat Docking Challenge

NEW for 2009! Race against the clock to win great prizes in this radio-controlled boat docking game.

Location: Hall B2

Texas Bass Tank

NEW for 2009! A 40' long giant aquarium filled with 5,000 gallons of water and stocked with a variety of native fish. Casting demos/seminars will be presented throughout the day.

Location: Hall C1

Crocs Test Drive

The popular shoes, with their slip-resistant, non-marking soles, will be available Wednesday through Sunday for attendees to try out and wear during their time at the show. Available in a wide array of color and styles, attendees will have the opportunity to purchase the pair of shoes they are Test Driving, select a different style to purchase as they leave the show floor, or return the shoes for an online coupon.

Location: Main Lobby

Accessory Center

Staffed with boating experts, the Accessory Center will showcase a variety of the latest marine accessories in the following categories: Electronics & Lighting, Safety & Navigation, Electrical Systems, Sanitation, Maintenance, Anchoring & Docking, Towing & Trailering.

Click here for more details and a list of participating companies »

Location: Hall B2

National Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame

Bigger & Better! This historic exhibit will feature a variety of unique fishing memorabilia including: antique lures, rods and reels, vintage outboard motors and the world record muskie mount caught in Lake Chippewa Flowage, WI.

Location: Hall C1

"Go RVing" Information Booth

Visit this information booth to learn about the RVing lifestyle. In addition, get literature and view the "Go RVing" DVD from RVIA to help you get started. The RV/MH Hall of Fame will be present to answer your questions about RVing and its history.

Location: Hall C1

Discover Boating Center

Your one-stop resource for boating information and advice. Staffed by experts who can answer all your questions and set you on a course to choosing a boat that will give you and your family years of enjoyment, the Discover Boating Center is here to help you become a boater.

Location: Hall B1

First Mate Patch Program

The First Mate Patch Program educates Y-Guides, Campfire Kids, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts on the benefits of outdoor recreation. Surveys conducted by Impulse Research Corporation for the NMMA found that outdoor activities can contribute to children being healthier, both physically and psychologically, and act as a way to increase physical fitness, spirit of team play, optimism and self-confidence.

Y-Guides, Campfire Kids, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, as well as adult leaders, will receive FREE admission to the show if they are in uniform.

/lib/img/gallery/img0817143154.jpgThe Patch Program begins at the Captain Kids Discovery Point. Participants will pick up a map and visit 5 various stations throughout the show floors. At each station, valuable skills and lessons will be taught and the map will be stamped. After completing the course, return the map to the Captain Kids Discovery Point to receive the First Mate patch and a FREE coupon for one child admission to the Shedd Aquarium.

Location: Hall B2 (start/end point)
Captain Kids Discovery Point

This interactive exhibit encourages children to develop interest in water activities through experience in building model boats, knot tying and boater’s safety. Other features include designated areas to explore and identify different types of boats, ocean literacy, fishing and conservation.

Location: Hall B2
Huck Finn Trout Pond

Catch your limit of fun! Free fishing for children, 12 and younger, at the Huck Finn Trout Pond stocked with the biggest trout east of the Mississippi River.

Location: Hall C1

Bling My Boat

For the 2008 show, the "Bling My Boat" contest, presented by Travelers and sponsored by Bottoms Up Boat Repair, selected one boat that was seaworthy but hardly "see" worthy and gave it a makeover.

Congratulations to the McGovern family from Kankakee, IL -- the lucky winners who are cruising in style this summer! Click here for more details on the boat and to view the video footage.

For Additional Information
Show Produced by:

National Marine Manufacturers Association
200 E. Randolph Dr. Suite 5100 Chicago, IL 60601 U.S.A.

Phone: (312) 946-6200 Fax: (312) 946-0401

This Information is Sponsored By:
Boat Loans from Excel Credit,
Always the Lowest Boat Financing Rates,
Call 800-337-7774:

Product Showcase

Thanks for visiting. The 2009 show is now over and we're busy planning for 2010. See you then!

Bayliner: 175

Take the smooth-riding 175 out for a run, and you'll see why it has quickly become the most popular boat in America. With great handling, tons of features and more room for some extra friends, their coolers and a beach bag or two, the 175 has everything you could ask for. And the 175 is very reasonably priced. The most affordable stern drive package on the market is the ideal family fun package, with features of boats costing twice as much.
Approximate cost: $135/month, Fox Lake Harbor

Boston Whaler: 190 Montauk

A big sister to the popular 170 Montauk, the 190 Montauk runabout features a center console design, a reversible pilot seat and a spacious bow/anchor locker, wrapped in a slightly smaller package. Every bit of space on this fifteen-foot boat has been optimized to promote superior versatility whether fishing, cruising or day running.
Approximate cost: $299/month, B&E Marine

Chaparral Boats: 180 SSi

Designed for easy towing, low maintenance and family fun, the 180 SSi is a no-excuses Chaparral bow to stern. Our Extended V-Plane running surface is more than capable of handling V-6 cubic inches, making the 180 a get it-done watersports tow boat. Go ahead, size up the 180 with our bigger bowriders: same Dura Life Max upholstery, same Kevlar reinforcement, same stainless steel hardware, same Limited Lifetime Hull Warranty. Inside, mix and match swivel buckets with back-to-back chaise lounge seats to fashion the perfect interior layout for your lifestyle. Anything but "me-too", the 180 is available in assorted vibrant color combinations.
Approximate cost: $135/month, Fox Lake Harbor

Crownline: 180BR

The Crownline 180BR opens up a whole new world of rest and relaxation, with just enough excitement thrown in for good measure. There's no better way to jump into the boating waters than on a Crownline 180 BR. This boat has all the big boat features wrapped up in a small package - lots of stainless steel, full instrumentation and the same outstanding warranty and safety features as all the other Crownline models. Check it out!
Approximate cost: $275/month, Munson Marine

Four Winns: 180 Horizon SS

Everything about this boat is right. It's loaded with features that really matter when you're on the water: an iPod/MP3 port so you can take your tunes along; tilt steering; plenty of storage; and options like an optional depth sounder or wakeboard tower with board racks. Just right for you and the way you take to the water.
Approximate cost: $255/month, Grand Sports Center

Harris FloteBote: 240 Super Sunliner Pontoon

With the fresh air, beautiful views and wide-open spaces, why limit yourself when you’re on the water? We have designed the Super Sunliner from Harris FloteBote to be ready for anything -- no matter what you’re up to or how many people you’re with. Love waterskiing, tubing or wakeboarding? No problem. Simply outfit the powerful Super Sunliner with the Performance III Package and feel the rush of head-turning holeshot and excellent maneuverability through the water.
Approximate cost: $275/month, Brunswick Boat Company

Malibu Boats: V-Ride

You'll be better in seconds if you're used to riding behind an I/O or even some other wakeboarding boats. You can only get so good on those wakes. The vRide is going to introduce a lot of those frustrated riders to just how unbelievable wakeboarding can be. The wakes are pretty narrow, so less-experienced riders won't have a problem. They're well-sculpted, too, which is why the pros liked them so much. The vRide comes with a center ballast tank so you can load up 500 pounds to amp up the wakes. And the boat will stay on a line thanks to Gorilla Fins on the hull. Yank the rope as much as you want; the vRide will be stable.
Approximate cost: $300/month, Munson Ski & Marine

Sea Ray: 175 Sport

The fun begins on any one of Sea Ray’s 2009 Sport Boats. Ranging from 17 to 30 feet they offer more standard features than any other boats in their class. You know what they say about good things coming in small packages. The 175 Sport has enhanced features for this year, and comes remarkably outfitted for an entry-level craft. It is an energetic speedster of a boat with sexy curves and real value.
Approximate cost: $205/month, Skipper Bud’s

South Bay: 622CR Pontoon

This affordable luxury 22' pontoon boat features a stereo/CD player, full gauge package, Bimini top and Mooring cover. This boat seat up to 12 people in total comfort. Dare to Compare South Bay versus the competition. From the full length protective keels on .090 25 air pressurized chambered tubes to the full length continuous risers that form the foundation for the strongest pontoon chassis available today.
Approximate cost: $235/month, Munson Marine

Stingray: 185

The 185L bowrider is like a Swiss Army Knife; it's compact but packed full of features seldom seen in a package this size. Start at the helm, where you find a sporty Dino Italian steering wheel, and a full array of instruments, backlit and trimmed in rich woodgrain paneling. The dash has a lower rake than previous models for better visibility. You'll find a digital hour meter and a 12-volt receptacle for charging cell phones, spotlights, or other accessories.
Approximate cost: $175/month, Carl Stirns Marine

Campland RV: Dutchmen Sport 716QB

With its lite weight aerodynamic design, the Sport 716QB is easy to tow and it comes loaded with all the necessities to make life on the road as comfortable as possible. With bunks featured, or available as options in all models, this trailer is ideal for families that enjoy life on the go. The addition of a sofa bed also adds plenty of sleeping space so you can take along extra family and friends quite easily. With all the comforts of home packed neatly inside you'll be able to focus on the fun adventures that you have parked next to outside.
Approximate cost: $125/month, Dutchmen

Collier RV: Palomino Thoroughbred

Lightweight strength and sleek styling form the classic look of the Thoroughbred. Designed for easy towing and handling, these ultra light travel trailers are quality built with an all aluminum superstructure for road tough durability. A wide choice of roomy floor plans, each equipped with convenient amenities, offers quality accommodations that your family deserves.
Approximate cost: $215/month, Palomino

Pontiac RV: 2008 Dutchmen Lite 28G

Aerodynamic and easy to tow, the Dutchmen Lite product line features non-slide and small slide floor plans ranging from 18-feet to 31-feet. Base weights start at 4,200 pounds! Unlike the competitions stripped-down models, Dutchmen Lite is loaded with all the standard features and equipment you will find in the rest of the Dutchmen product line. With many great floor plans available in a variety of sizes to meet your family's needs, Dutchmen Lite is your best choice for affordable lightweight and easy to tow travel trailers.
Approximate cost: $169/month, Dutchmen

Rick’s RV Center: 2009 Jayco Jay Flight G2

Jay Flight travel trailers sleep up to 10 people and range in length from just over 22 feet to almost 36 feet. The Jayco Jay Flight is towable* by most 1/2 ton trucks and SUVs and is more popular than ever. Jay Flight G2 is the second generation of Jayco’s most popular travel trailers and offers more standard amenities than other RVs in its class. The Jay Flight G2 has a length range of 23 feet to almost 34 feet.
Approximate cost: $236/month, Jayco

This Information is Sponsored By:
Boat Loans from Excel Credit,
Always the Lowest Boat Financing Rates,
Call 800-337-7774:

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