Features at a Glance

We hope you enjoyed the Show! See you January 16-20, 2014!

NEW! Visit the Lighthouse & Harbor Experience

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.

NEW! Welcome to the Water Center

Your one-stop resource for boating information and advice. Get started in boating or learn how to make the most of your time on the water. /lib/img/gallery/img11421162257.jpg

Straightforward answers to all your boating questions
Expert, unbiased advice on finding a boat that best suits your lifestyle
Local resources to help you get started

Boater's Education

Boating 101: Seminars for novice boaters
Advanced Seminars: Training and education for more seasoned skippers

CLICK HERE for a complete seminar schedule

Presented by Discover Boating and The Annapolis School of Seamanship

Hands-on Demo's

Power Boat Docking Challenge: Test your navigational skills as you use an actual full-size boat helm to steer your craft down a 20-ft. "lake" to the marina and into a slip. Whether you're an experienced skipper or novice boater, it's a fun way to test your skills or become more confident at the helm.
ASOS Nautic Boating Simulator: Take the helm of a virtual boat and get a feel for the water without leaving dry land. The Nautis Boating Simulator makes learning fun, with hands-on training for boaters of all skill levels—new boaters can practice basic boat handling, while experienced mariners can attempt more complicated maneuvers as well as navigation, collision avoidance and more! This awesome training tool is brought to you by the great people at the Annapolis School of Seamanship.

Discover Boating for less than $250/month!

Think owning a boat is out of your reach? Think again! When it comes to enjoyable ways to spend your leisure time, boating is far more affordable than you may realize. Be sure to stop by and check out this special showcase of boats you can finance for less than $250 per month.

When you compare the costs of boating to a single day at an amusement park or a trip to any major league game, you'll find that dollar for dollar, boating is really quite affordable. See for yourself how boating can stretch your vacation and leisure time budget:

Compare Costs of Boating vs. Other Leisure Activities

Watch why this Chicago Family shops the show!

Fred's Shed Interactive Learning Center

DIY seminars and workshops covering boat and motor maintenance, repair and upgrades.

Watch, learn and do! If you're a do-it-yourselfer or boat owner interested in learning new techniques for taking care of your boat or motor, head to Fred's Shed for practical, professional advice. Free daily sessions cover a variety of topics.

Check back for complete schedule.

NEW! Rockin', Rollin', Bubbles

The newest craze in water walking sports -- Rollers!!! Act like a crazy hamster or try log rolling tricks! I /lib/img/gallery/img121227114915.jpg ts great fun and best of all you can go with a friend. Mom and Dad, bring your video cameras, the photo ops are fantastic!

PaddleFest

You won't want to miss PaddleFest at this year's show! It will be the first look at all the new paddlesport product offerings. Industry experts and manufacturers will be on hand to demonstrate new paddlesports products from fishing, recreational and whitewater kayaks, to stand up paddleboards. /lib/img/gallery/img11112214052.jpg

Free Paddlesport Demos offered daily in the pool – Get on the water and test out kayaks, fishing kayaks, canoes, Stand Up Paddleboards for free.
Enter to Win – Stop by PaddleFest to enter to win great show giveaways.
Shop from Leading Paddlesport Manufacturers – Don't miss Hobie Kayaks, Jackson Kayaks, Confluence Watersports, Bic Sport, Starboard Stand up Paddleboards, Hurricane Kayaks, Native Watercraft and more. Great show deals and specials with financing options will be available.
Adventure Travel – Gear up and head out! Find out great places to have outdoor adventures, many within an hour or two of the Chicagoland area. Learn about Paddle and Trail’s Regional Signature Trips and Winter Escapes to warmer places.
Rapid Media Showcase – Don't miss this educational feature highlighting the Reel Paddling Film Festival & World Tour along with other presentations and seminars from leading paddlesports experts and enthusiasts.
PaddleFest Kayak Fishing Derby – Test out your kayak fishing skills in the PaddleFest Pond. Win great prizes and take home the honor of PaddleFest Top Angler.
What’s SUP? Check out the fastest growing paddlesport – Stand Up Paddleboards – SUP. Find out how SUP’s are used to catch fish, catch rays and catch waves! Come test one out during demo time. Try the SUP simulator and learn about SUP Yoga.

Click here for a complete schedule of seminars.

Click here for additional PaddleFest information.

Programming sponsored by Paddle & Trail & Rapid Media

The World of SCUBA

Jacque Ives Cousteau could never have imagined the world he was creating back in 1942 when he created the Aqua Lung. Today millions of people have become certified divers. Not only is there an interest in learning about the aquatic world…there is an interest to experience the underwater world. Fresh water and salt water offer two totally different experiences with one common thing; no matter where you dive you are a visitor to a unique part of the earth. It could be the wrecks on Lake Michigan to the reefs of the Caribbean; it could be a dive with a whale shark in Cancun to the reefs of Fiji.

/lib/img/gallery/img11111082827.png Begin your fantastic voyage into the world of SCUBA right in McCormick Place. Anyone age 10 and older can discover this fun and exciting sport in the comfort of a heated pool. Our onstructors will explain basic dive rules and skills, then you can head underwater. All necessary SCUBA equipment, including wet suits, will be provided at no cost to you!

Be sure to visit the Weclome to the Water Center for daily Intro to SCUBA seminars—this eye-opening session could change your life. Discover the Word of Scuba and how you can become a diver. You’ll be introduced to the basics and learn about equipment, both new and old. And you’ll be amazed to learn about the great diving opportunities right here in the Great Lakes.

Wet suits will be provided. Please bring a swimsuit and towel.

Produced by Scuba Emporium

NEW! Evolution of Boat Building: Seven Decades of Innovation

Historical evidence suggests that the earliest boats were simply hollowed-out logs. While boat building has evolved, wooden boats have stood the test of time.

Explore seven decades of wooden boat building—from design to the construction process to fully finished vessels. Featuring Gage-Hacker boats, known for their smooth ride, stylish lines and exceptional craftsmanship, this exhibit traces how seven decades of innovations in design, hull shape and construction led to the development of modern runabouts. It's a fascinating look at both the history of recreational boating and the boat building process.

Check out wooden boats at various stages of construction and layout, from framing to partial completion, plus two fully finished vessels—a restored 1960’s Gage-Hacker and the new “cold molded” modern runabout.

Presented by Gage Marine

Miss GEICO Racing Boat

/lib/img/gallery/img08812153518.png Feed your need for speed—see one of the world’s fastest offshore racing boats! This legendary craft is powered with the same turbine engines that flew missions in the first Gulf War and is capable of reaching speeds of more than 185 miles per hour. At 40 feet and weighing 10,000 pounds, this MTI turbine race boat is run by a crew of six, including Driver Marc Granet.

The boat has set two world records and participated in more than 15 races around the world in 2007. She won back-to-back world championships at the 2006 and 2007 Offshore Super Series and captured Championships at Super Boat International and Offshore Performance Association. In October 2007, Miss GEICO shattered another milestone when she hit an average top speed of 188.26 mph on the Mississippi River. /lib/img/gallery/img08430112417.png

Huck Finn Trout Pond

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 grest 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. Be sure to bring your camera to capture the moment when your little angler reels in a "big one"!