Chicago Adding Another Boat Show...... In The Water in June

[Ratickle]

CHICAGO

The National Marine Manufacturers Association announced they are adding a third show to the Chicago area this June that will be located at a new state-of-the-art marina opening in May. The Progressive Insurance Chicago In-Water Boat Show will take place June 7-12 at the 31st Street Harbor.

This will be the first major event held at the 31st Street Harbor, drawing crowds to the new 1,000-slip marina, Ben Wold, the executive vice president of NMMA, said in his news release.

“With 1,000 slips and top-notch amenities, the city’s latest premier marine facility is an ideal in-water boat show venue with ample room to grow into a favorite annual tradition for boaters and a summer sales haven for the region’s dealers and manufacturers,” Wold said.

The 2012 "Progressive Insurance Chicago In-Water Boat Show" will feature approximately 150 power and sailboats for sale, as well as more than 100 booths with accessories, technology and travel as well as boating courses and other education, according to the NMMA.

The NMMA also produces two other boat shows in Chicago, the Progressive insurance Chicago Boat, Sports and RV Show and the Progressive Insurance Strictly Sail Chicago show.

With the addition of an in-water show, they will now own and produce 18 consumer boat and sport shows throughout the United States.

I wonder if the performance industry, like Shogren, will be represented??????

Is anyone familiar with the new facility they are talking about?????

[Spudsbud]

I think they're trying to draw some the Mich. City Show $$$
I know where this is but heven't seen it 1st hand.
Another show will be interesting considering the decline of the McCormick show going on
this weekend. I gave that up 2 years ago. They enlarged the food area to about 1/3 of the total show just to fill out the south hall.
None of the small dealers from the McHenry/Chain area go I'm told. Too expensive with very little return. They're all operating on
shoestring budgets as it is.
That said, a summer show, a new marina... I'll go!

[Ratickle]

I'll do some research on who's gonna show there.....



I remember going on the Black Thunder's at the Michigan City show and dealing with John on buying one there.....

[redhotsommer]

That'd be interesting for sure. If I went, I'd go by BOAT...might be a fun time. It would sure be nice to have some performance boat there...I stopped going to the McCormack Place show 5 or 6 years ago...and that was after like 15 years straight (my wife and I would go when we were dating in high school).

[Ratickle]

It's supposed to be open this May....

[Hammer01]

The good news for Chi-town boating though is that at least it is giving exposure to a beautiful city that does have a lot to offer the boating scene yet we just do not get the cooperation. Not trying to be over-positive, but maybe this once again is the little exposure we need to get the city to understand that we are a great revenue source that should be catered to in some way! Anyway, look forward to the show!!!

[Bobcat]

A smart move on the organizers part would be to have a Pokerrun/Boat show for existing boat owners. Kind of a "Look how happy these folks are" show.

[old377guy]

A smart move on the organizers part would be to have a Pokerrun/Boat show for existing boat owners. Kind of a "Look how happy these folks are" show.

and what? you would be the poster boy for this?

[Bobcat]

I could make it if I started rowing now !

[fund razor]

A smart move on the organizers part would be to have a Pokerrun/Boat show for existing boat owners. Kind of a "Look how happy these folks are" show.

That's a really interesting idea. On the show, I see it as a good sign. What the heck. I'd go.

[Ratickle]

Any updates on the marina or show?

[Ratickle]

Looks like they are getting real close to completion....


The $103 million project, paid for with revenue bonds, will have what’s known as a soft opening, planners say. The newly configured “lakefront trail” skirting the harbor opened on Friday — ending a construction detour that took joggers and cyclists over to the 31st Street exit ramp of Lake Shore Drive.

This weekend, the first boats of the season are expected to tie-up there. But the official christening isn’t expected until June.

The 31st Street Beach opening brings to some 6,000, the number of spots for boats at the 10 lakefront harbors — with 5,000 of them rented out. But while 1,000 spots remain open, waitlists are common, as boaters seek spots closer to home or those that canaccommodate larger watercraft.

Art Potash, of Lake View, said he’s actually moving his 45-foot Sea Ray from his close-to-home Diversey Harbor spot to 31st Street because it allows him to come and go more easily. Diversey’s single-lane exits and entrances can fray nerves.

“This is something different and a whole group of us are moving down together,” said Potash, 54, who owns Potash Bros. Markets. “I hear they’ve decked the place out.”

While rates vary by harbor, the basic slip rental at 31st Street is $108/foot, so for a 40-foot boat, that’s $4,320 — before taxes — for May 1 to Oct. 31.

At 31st Street, just 300 of the 1,000 slips will be filled this season, but officials expect to be full in three to four years, Park District spokeswoman Jessica Maxey Faulkner said.



New 31st Street harbor complex has offerings for land and water lovers alike - Chicago Sun-Times

[ICDEDPPL]

OxBlue Construction Camera: 31st Street Harbor

[Ratickle]

Do they allow lifts at those marinas????

[MILICEVICGM]

Do they allow lifts at those marinas????

No lifts in any Chicago marinas.

[Ratickle]

Getting Close...


Who's going????

Official Chicago In-Water Boat Show | 31st Street Harbor

[Hellbent]

Yeah...who's taking a boat across? They could drop me off in Milwaukee Friday night and pick me up on Sunday before coming home

[Ratickle]

Yeah...who's taking a boat across? They could drop me off in Milwaukee Friday night and pick me up on Sunday before coming home

Maybe we could "borrow" a mutual friends boat and go??????


Wait a minute, at cruise that would be about $2000 worth of gas each way!!!!!!

[Hellbent]

I'll chip in $100

[ICDEDPPL]

I think I`m gonna check it out this weekend.