Features at a Glance

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 from Seven Sushi & Steakhouse. Thursday–Saturday evenings you can listen to fantastic boating music from Jambo Joe Bones. Many of the largest boats in the show will be featured here as well—don’t miss it!

NEW! Meet Phil and Bob Soven from MTV's Reality Show WakeBrothers

Meet professional wakeboarders Phil and Bob Soven from the MTV Reality Show, WakeBrothers. Phil, who went pro at the age of eleven, is well known in the wakeboard circuit and is recognized as one of the best wakeboarders in the world. Bob, his younger brother, earned five National wakeboarding titles and six World titles by the age of 15.

NEW! Paddlefest

Always wanted to try stand up paddleboarding (SUP) but haven't had the chance?  Interested in kayaking but not sure what type would best suit you?  Try them both at the Boat Show!  Attendees 10 years of age or older will be able to try out kayaks and SUP in a huge pool right on the show floor. Bring your swimsuit to the show or use one of our wetsuits, changing rooms will be available.  Knowledgeable staff will be on hand to offer instruction and product information.

NEW! Try Scuba Diving in the Be A Diver Pool

Try scuba in a heated pool! During the past 7 years tens of thousands of people have been intruduced to scuba diving at the “Be a Diver Pool”. Now it’s your turn! Anyone age 10 and older can discover the fun and exciting sport of scuba diving in the comfort of a tropically warm pool. Bring your swim suit, or we have a wetsuit for you—we will supply all the scuba gear! It's a great way to try scuba diving and test some of the latest scuba equipment. You can also have a photo of yourself taken underwater as a keepsake of your "diving adventure."

See the ALL-NEW Miss GEICO Racing Boat

The six-time World Champion Miss GEICO Racing Team is proud to introduce the newest and latest Miss GEICO offshore racing boat.

The new Miss GEICO is a 50-ft. Victory catamaran made of carbon/kevlar. At approximately 11,000 pounds, she is almost 1,500 pounds lighter than her predecessor and is equal in length. She has a 12-ft. beam, which is 6" wider than the former boat; the extra width will allow her to ride smoother at faster rates of speed.
Powered by 1075 Mercury racing engines, she currently has a top speed of 170mph. Off-season plans include replacing these engines with a set of 1500 HP piston racing engines which will enable Miss GEICO to reach a top speed in excess of 200 mph!

NEW! Brickmania at the Boat Show

Kids of all ages will be able to check out boats made from LEGO® brand parts at the Show and build some of their own to play with!  Also, don’t miss the chance to purchase a limited edition Minneapolis Boat Show Brickmania Custom Boat LEGO® kit. Located in Lobby E.

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 in search of practical, professional advice, Fred’s Shed is your go-to resource. Free, daily seminars and clinics cover maintaining, repairing and upgrading boats and motors, feature demos on boat and motor cutaways and interactive questions/answer sessions. 

Welcome to the Water New Boater Education

Visit the Welcome to the Water Center located in Lobby E to learn how to launch your boating life!  Our unbiased boating expert will host daily seminars and answer all of your questions about how to get started in boating, what type of boat is right for you and much more!  Click here for the schedule of seminars.

SailFest Seminar Series

Back by popular demand! Free daily seminars for both beginner and veteran sailors — as well as adventurers of all ages!  Click here for the seminar schedule.

Antique & Classic Boat Display

Step back in time to admire the beauty and craftsmanship of vintage craft presented by  the Bob Speltz Land-O-Lakes chapter of the Antique and Classic Boat Society. Check them out in Lobby D of the Convention Center.

Meet SpongeBob SquarePants

Straight from Bikini Bottom, SpongeBob SquarePants will visit the Show on Saturday, February 2nd and Sunday, February 3rd from Noon–4pm. Don't miss your chance to pose for a photo with the porous little guy!