Detroit Boat Show

[Brent Nutting]

Anyone going. Starts this Saturday.
With weather predictions for this weekend, I am going to plan on going on 01.25.2020.
Don't really need anything, other than maybe a new pair of boat shoes and possibly some dock lines, but I always enjoy talking to the brokers there and seeing what they have listed.

 

[Strypes]

At Cobo?

 

[tc410]

At Cobo?

Whoa... Not Cobo anymore. TCF Center. Renamed due to racists history of Mayor Cobo back in the 50’s.

 

[jsed]

I didn't see Sea Ray on the exhibitor list. Formula has some larger boats. Tiara no on the list either.
I'm surprised the show is in January. It's normally in Feb., right around the show in Grand Rapids.
Might try and go if I'm in the area this week. Always good to get out of the snow...

 

[Gofirstclass]

Whoa... Not Cobo anymore. TCF Center. Renamed due to racists history of Mayor Cobo back in the 50’s.

OK, as a former Michigander who always knew it as Cobo Hall, what does TCF stand for?

 

[Blueone]

When I was a kid 35 years ago my dad would take me to that show.... I don't know if I was smaller back then but that show seemed huge. I went back for the first time about 4 years ago...they should call it a pontoon show now....very few larger boats...I think Colony had 2

 

[jsed]

I know what you mean. Pontoons and ski boats. Nothing wrong with them at all, but it was always fun to get into the larger boats. I know its a cost thing...
I guess that means we have to head to Fort Lauderdale or Miami. Oh shucks...

 

[Blueone]

I guess that means we have to head to Fort Lauderdale or Miami. Oh shucks...

I was looking for a hotel right after this years show at a few places we like in Ft Lauderdale for next years show and everything was already sold out..

 

[Great Lakes]

When I was a kid 35 years ago my dad would take me to that show.... I don't know if I was smaller back then but that show seemed huge. I went back for the first time about 4 years ago...they should call it a pontoon show now....very few larger boats...I think Colony had 2

Exactly. Overpriced pontoon show

 

[tc410]

OK, as a former Michigander who always knew it as Cobo Hall, what does TCF stand for?

TCF Bank = Twin Cities Financial. Headquartered in Minneapolis and Detroit and bought naming rights to the event center.

 

[Blueone]

I didn't see Sea Ray on the exhibitor list..

Colony is on the exhibitor list with two booths

https://www.facebook.com/122419107772824/posts/3125810947433610/

 

[play dough]

When I was a kid 35 years ago my dad would take me to that show.... I don't know if I was smaller back then but that show seemed huge. I went back for the first time about 4 years ago...they should call it a pontoon show now....very few larger boats...I think Colony had 2

I hadn't been to the show in years, but had tickets given to me last year so I went on a weekday afternoon. Waste of time for me. I was out in a couple hours and probably spent longer than I needed to. As you say, it was a BIG event when I was young. I seem to remember the 8 mile armory as the venue in the 60's.

 

[tc410]

I agree. I remember going when I was a kid and it was two floors. All the smaller boats were on the lower level. Main level had 50 footers one after another. Last several years all pontoons, bass boats, ski boats. Of most interest to me is the center consoles, but not worth going to a show for when you can see them all directly at a dealer anytime.

 

[firecadet613]

Looks like they had a few Sea Rays there...

I skipped Chicago this year, but am planning to go to the Grand Rapids show. First time going there, but it looks like a few big boats will be there - Regal 38 & 42, Princess Yachts and the FW 355. Curious to see what Sea Ray's Skipper Buds brings.

 

[Ezsteps]

I went there yesterday. I climbed on one boat just to check it out because I hadn't seen one before. San Juan center console. It was pretty cool but I'm not interested in buying one. I just went to meet up with friends and check out the vendors. Once I met friends at the adult drink station I don't think I even saw all the vendors. Once you've been to FLIBS the rest of the boat shows here are not much. For me the best boat show over on this side of the mitten is Metro Beach show in September.

Blue when we went to FLIBS we stay a little north of it (Galt Mile I believe) and caught a water taxi down to the show. I think we'll probably end up going to the 2020 show.

 

[Blueone]

Blue when we went to FLIBS we stay a little north of it (Galt Mile I believe) and caught a water taxi down to the show. I think we'll probably end up going to the 2020 show.

The water taxi is a great idea...we have never been on it