This Week: The 81st Annual Grand Rapids Boat Show

Celebrating the Boating and Outdoor Water Recreation Lifestyle in Michigan February 11-15th!

Published: Thursday, February 12, 2026 9:00 am

Michigan’s Ultimate Boat Show — with the longest running tradition — the Grand Rapids Boat Show has the reputation for the finest style. Over 30 dealers will display more than 400 boats from over 80 manufacturers from aluminum fishing boats and personal watercrafts to pro style ski and bass boats, luxury pontoon boats, runabouts and deck boats and for 2026, attendees will see the greatest showing ever of boats for the Great Lakes! For the past several years, an excellent showing of Cruisers, Tiara, Robalo, Scout, Boston Whaler, Pursuit, Ranger Tugs, Formula, Cobalt and Monterey have been on display.

This year’s QUEEN of the SHOW is the Pursuit S 428 from Walstrom Marine. With a length of over 43 feet and powered by quad Yamaha 450 XTO engines (1,800 total horsepower), the S 428 is the most powerful Pursuit ever built, designed with absolutely everything in mind for an ultimate day of fishing and cruising. The S 428 sport boat is brimming with amenities so that you and your family really can do it all. Whether that’s swimming up to the hull-side back platform, fishing from the generous cockpit or grilling in the well-appointed entertainment center, every detail was crafted to go beyond your wildest expectations.

Special features at the 2026 Grand Rapids Boat Show include:

Twiggy, the Water-Skiing Squirrel — the internationally famous star — is back! Join Twiggy and her team for a family friendly, fun-filled, entertaining show focused on water safety.
HO Sports Tube Truckload Sale - The annual best opportunity to see every tube that HO Sports manufactures with the best pricing of the year – guaranteed. Presented by Action Water Sports.
Antique and Classic Boat Display from Water Wonderland Chapter of the Antique and Classic Boat Society – one of the finest displays of boats dating back to the 40s and 50s.
Key West Crab Shack with beachy tunes from Don Middlebrook.
The Dive Tank Presented by Great Lakes Dive Locker - Bring your suit and give Scuba a try.
Single Day Boating Safety Certification Class (Saturday, February 14, Noon to 5pm) presented by the Kent County Sheriff Department – Marine Division

The Grand Rapids Boat Show started in 1946 as the West Michigan Sportland Boat Show in the Welsh Auditorium, with less than 25,000 square feet of space. It is now in its glory of 250,000 square feet (5.74 acres) of pillarless display space throughout the main exhibition halls, Steelcase Ballroom, Grand Gallery and Grand River Overlook. This is one of 14 consumer expositions produced by ShowSpan Inc., in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Founded in 1945, ShowSpan – a Studio C Company – is the largest producer of consumer shows in the Midwest.

WHERE: DeVos Place in Downtown Grand Rapids. 303 Monroe St NE

WHEN: Wednesday, February 11 2:00pm – 8:00pm

Thursday, February 12 12:00pm – 8:00pm

Friday, February 13 12:00pm – 9:00pm

Saturday, February 14 10:00am – 9:00pm

Sunday, February 15 10:00am – 5:00pm

PRICES: $12 adults, $5 children aged 6 to 14. Kids 5 and under are admitted free.

TICKETS: Buy tickets online now: https://showspan.com/GRB/home/dates-times-admission/

or at the box office on the days of the show.

tags: Boat, Boat Show, Boats, cruiser, display, Grand Rapids, Michigan, Reputation, Style, Tickets, Tradition, Ultimate