How's the Cleveland Boat Show?

Steve195

Steve195

Member
Jan 15, 2016
314
Richmond, VA
Boat Info
2017 Sweetwater 2286 WB Tri-toon
Engines
Yamaha 150 Outboard
Anybody been to the Mid-America Boat Show in Cleveland? It looks like I'll be in CLE during that time, so I could easily make time for it if it's a good one!
 
If you in the area it's not a bad boat show and plenty of dealers and new boat by most brands .The IX center is a really nice facility plenty of parking and easy to get to.Last couple of year they have the Ohio outdoor adventure show going on at the same time. If you go to ix center schedule 2016 you can read about both show.
 
It's okay! We go every year. Sometimes we meet friends from our marina there and end up hanging out at one of the bars or hanging out in the Put-In-Bay tent watching the live entertainment!

We'll be there this year, I believe on Saturday, so give me a shout if you want to say hello or have a beverage or two, or three!

Cheers
 
It's ok. I think locals enjoy it because it's a way for us to see boating friends and drink and think about boats in January. I wouldn't go out of my way to go there, but since you'll be in the area...

Tip: There can be several different shows at the IX center. When the bridal show occupies the east side of the building, the traffic can back up for nearly an hour. If you find yourself in grid-lock on 237 or IX Center Dr, STAY LEFT. 95% of those cars are waiting for the first entrance. Boaters want the far west entrance. Better yet, study Google maps and approach from the West. (through the park and around the runway instead of alongside the terminal - if you come that way, you'll see a parking booth attendant before you see brakelights)
 
+1 To everything RollerCoastr said.

Sneak in through the park for certain.
The show itself is 'meh'. But it is a good release for cabin fever and is the trigger to get back to work on the boat.

Steve, do you have any idea where you will be staying at?
 
For those that are interested, the dates for the Mid-America Boat Show at the I-X Center are January 12-16, 2017. As others have mentioned, the Cleveland Outdoor Adventure Show and a Bridal Show will be taking place at the same time in the same facility. If going on the weekend, take Roller Coastr's advice and enter from the west to avoid traffic.

http://www.ixcenter.com/

https://clevelandboatshow.com/
 
Huh. Haven't been out that way for a few months. Yeah, we'll probably head out for this, and stay downtown. I'll keep an eye on this thread for a possible meetup.
 
bracketracer said:
Huh. Haven't been out that way for a few months. Yeah, we'll probably head out for this, and stay downtown. I'll keep an eye on this thread for a possible meetup.
Click to expand...

FYI ... Not that there is anything wrong with staying downtown as CLE is making a nice comeback,, but the show is about 15 miles away adjacent to the airport. There are several hotels in that area that would be closer.
 
Yeah, was debating, but we're probably going to do some barhopping around E 4th and Ohio City at night, so the city makes a bit more sense for that. Probably just Uber back and forth rather than dealing with parking.
 
Went to the cincy boat show last year, was really disappointed as it was almost all wake board boats. Going again this year and hope to see at least one cruiser..............
 
NVERL8 said:
Went to the cincy boat show last year, was really disappointed as it was almost all wake board boats. Going again this year and hope to see at least one cruiser..............
Click to expand...

yeah the show in Charlotte, NC has turned into a pontoon and wake board boat show primarily which is to be expected I guess since we are near numerous inland lakes in this area....very few cruisers in the show and nothing over about 32 ft......I think this year we are going to go to the waterside show in Charleston, SC to see some large cruisers and yachts....we are not looking to move up in boat size....just want to keep in touch with what is going on in the cruiser industry......

cliff
 
The economics of boat shows have changed over the years. I spoke with the delivery captain for Regal a few years ago at Mid-America, and he was explaining how expensive it is to truck a 35'+ boat all over the midwest to the various boat shows. The cost of "showing" the larger boats ended up adding tens of thousands of dollars to the price of each one sold. They, and many other manufacturers, stopped doing it. They show the models the local dealership has in stock. It makes for a boatshow with tons of boats in the 25'-32' range and very few above that. If you're interested in looking at that size, it's a GREAT show. If you want to see boats over 35', skip it.
 
Cleveland (like others) has downsized. I remember some years back boarding a 60' or so Azimut there!.........no more.
 
Well, by business trip got cancelled, but I was talking to a buddy of mine (fellow Sea Ray owner), and we've decided to make a guys trip out of it and are going to drive up from Richmond, VA if the weather isn't horrible. It's a 7ish hour drive, but we're always doing random stuff like this just for fun.

Our plan is to drive up early Thursday morning, check out the show on Thursday afternoon and Friday, then hit some Cleveland sites (rock and roll hall of fame, etc.) and head back on Saturday sometime. I booked a hotel in the Gateway District since it looks like their are some cool bars and restaurants there.
 
Steve195 said:
Well, by business trip got cancelled, but I was talking to a buddy of mine (fellow Sea Ray owner), and we've decided to make a guys trip out of it and are going to drive up from Richmond, VA if the weather isn't horrible. It's a 7ish hour drive, but we're always doing random stuff like this just for fun.

Our plan is to drive up early Thursday morning, check out the show on Thursday afternoon and Friday, then hit some Cleveland sites (rock and roll hall of fame, etc.) and head back on Saturday sometime. I booked a hotel in the Gateway District since it looks like their are some cool bars and restaurants there.
Click to expand...

Yeah, Rock Hall is a must. I've been there 3 times. Gateway District is a good location. Lot of stuff within walking distance (in warmer weather). Cool bars and stuff just West of you on East 4th st. House of Blues is there. Have driven out quite a few times for concerts. Nothing really exciting going on that weekend though. Cab or Uber over to Ohio City for another cool bar scene, and Great Lakes Brewing is there.
 
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