Grand Rapids Boat Show

Features & Attractions

PLEASE NOTE:

The following information is from the 2013 Grand Rapids Boat Show. The 2014 Show information will be coming soon.

Live Shark Encounter

The only traveling shark show in the United States, Haai Inc., welcomes you to their world of the Shark at the Boat Show!  One look into the eyes of a live shark and you will understand the heart-pounding "awe and fascination" felt by Live Shark Experience visitors.

Sharks have captured our imaginations for thousands of years, stirring the fears and fascination of ocean goers and scientists alike.  Their legacy has been as misunderstood as it has been "old and bloody."  Now more than ever, the importance of understanding this fascinating species is critical for its survival.  Come learn and be entertained at the Haai, Inc. Live Shark Encounter Experience.

Michigan Hydroplane Racing Association

MHRA is a grass-roots Stock Outboard Racing Club, which hosts over a half dozen racing events across the State of Michigan.  The same club which at one time hosted racing on the Grand River in Grand Rapids, features highly competitive, affordable racing action in a wide variety of ages and speeds.  The Junior Hydroplanes, where kids can start racing at age 9, have a top speed of roughly 42 MPH, where adults can reach up to 80+ MPH dependant on their class - and its all on your knees!  This family-oriented sport features some of the best racing action on the water - and the hub is in the State of Michigan, with MHRA being one of the largest outboard racing clubs in the Nation.

They will have two boats on display at the Show.  The first is a Junior Hydroplane of the J Classes, which kids as young as 9 years old can start racing.  This boat has a 15 HP Mercury engine on the back, to which speeds of around 42 MPH can be reached.  The second boat is a C Stock Hydroplane, of the adult Stock Outboard Class, which can reach speeds in the upper 60 MPH range, powered by a Yamato Race Engine.


Queen of the Show - Cruiser Yacht 45 Cantius

See this yacht while at the Show at the Skipper Bud's display!  This innovative yacht was designed to eliminate the limitations found in the interior living spaces of most yachts by replacing walls with windows and creating open, spacious floor plans in the living spaces.  Features include a retractable sunroof in the upper salon, fly-by-wire and Joystick IPS command of the twin Volvo Diesel engines, wrap-around seating in the cockpit that converts to a plush sun lounge, cedar-lined closets in the master suite, and a state-of-the-art entertainment below deck.

Meet Professional Wake Boarders Rusty Malinoski and Erik Ruck

Pro wakeboarders Rusty and Erik will be at the Show throughout the weekend hanging out in the Action Water Sports display!

Originally from Saskatchewan, Canada, Rusty Malinoski now resides in Orlando, FL.  He was the first wakeboarder to land a 1080 in competition and was most recently a supporting cast member on the MTV show Wake Brothers.  Rusty has finished every season in the top 10 since turning pro in 2003.  He was featured in MasterCraft's latest marketing campaign Trail By Fire, which can be seen on YouTube.

Erik Ruck won the Pro Wakeboard Tour in 2002 and has helped shape and design multiple boards for Ronix Wakeboards.  Erik is originally from Wisconsin, but currently resides in Orlando, FL as well.

Grand City Show Skiers

The 2010 Division II National Show Ski Champion Grand City Show Skiers will be performing a live demonstration of many aspects of show skiing, including Human Pyramids.  Show Skiing is extremely popular in the upper Midwest, and practiced throughout the nation.  Show skiing combines components of all water ski disciplines.  Water ski shows are an aquatic Broadway musical, featuring several water ski acts choreographed to music and built around a theme that tells a story. 

Unique to show skiing are ballet / swivel skiing, adagio doubles, freestyle jumping and human pyramids.  Grand City Show Skiers is an amateur club, which usually has 30 or more members.  Age is not a factor since ski club performers can range from children to grandparents.  Grand City is a family oriented, non-profit club that has been entertaining the West Michigan communities for over 25 years.

HO Sports Tube Truckload Sale

HO Sports will inflate every tube they make and offer the BEST values ever at the "Truckload Sale" at the Boat Show!  Meet the professional designers of the tubes straight from the factory.  HO Sports will also give away a tube a day to some lucky winners!

HO is a leader in the development of new sphere technology, with tubes like the Ion, Molecule, Atom, and Black Ice tubes.  Stock up at the Boat Show and be ready to hit the water this summer!

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Antique and Classic Boats

An impressive display of wooden boats, presented by the Water Wonderland Chapter of the Antique & Classic Boat Society, will once again be on display at the Boat Show.  Members of the Water Wonderland Chapter will be on hand to answer questions and share stories from days gone by.  Visit www.wwcacbs.com for more information.

Michigan Maritime Museum

The Michigan Maritime Museum will be at the Boat Show with a unique display of maritime history.  The  Museum is dedicated to the preservation of Michigan Great Lakes and waterways maritime history and culture.  The Museum collects objects related to the maritime history of the Great Lakes with an emphasis on items pertaining to the state of Michigan.

Key West Crab Shack

Stop by the Key West Crab Shack and enjoy food from the Amway Chefs and Tropical Rock music from the Don Middlebook Band.  The songs of beach, boat and island lovers will resonate throughout DeVos Place.

Don Middlebrook Band Schedule:

Wednesday:     6:30pm - 9:30pm

Thursday:          6:30pm - 9:30pm

Friday:               6:30pm - 9:30pm

Saturday:          2pm - 5pm




Dive Tank

Explore under the water!  If you've ever wanted to give diving a shot here's your chance to suit up and get your feet wet in the demonstration Dive Tank brought to you by the Great Lakes Dive Locker. 

MasterCraft VR Express Simulator

Sometimes we are called to a higher order - FUN!  In our book, nothing yells fun like a motion simulator.  Seriously serious fun.  Enjoy the experience of throwing back a roll on a wakeboard or hitting a ski jump at 80 MPH and flying in the air.  This is quite the experience! 

Brought to the Show by Summit Marine, sponsored by Action Water Sports


Gizmo the Robot

Be on the lookout for Gizmo the Robot while you're at the Show!  He'll be wandering the aisles entertaining attendees.