Traverse City Boat Show Returns to Civic Center in March 2026

The 18th annual Traverse City Boat Show opened Friday at noon inside Howe Arena at the Grand Traverse County Civic Center, with Blue Water Promotions producer Andrew McDonald projecting close to $1 million in retail sales by the time the show wraps Sunday at 4 p.m.

McDonald, who has staged the event for 18 consecutive years, said March is exactly when that kind of money moves. "We're turning the corner to springtime," he said. "If people are thinking about a boat, they're thinking about it right now."

Around 10 dealers have set up under one roof through the three-day run, giving buyers the rare chance to compare pontoons, tri-toons, tow boats, bow riders, center consoles, fishing boats, and personal watercraft side by side while speaking directly with the people who build them. Docks, boat lifts, water toys, and accessories round out the floor.

For the dealers themselves, the stakes are real. "It kind of sets the tone for the rest of the season," McDonald said. "That's why the stakes are kind of high."

Pontoons are drawing the most attention on the floor this year. McDonald describes their appeal simply: "It's kind of like a living room on the water." He says they've taken off because they're roomy, easy to move around on, and versatile enough for tubing, entertaining, or simply drifting with a crowd.

Newer tritoon models, which ride on three hulls instead of two, have expanded that appeal further. McDonald said buyers can pull a skier behind one or take it out on Lake Michigan when conditions are calm, capabilities that weren't realistic on a traditional two-tube pontoon.

The show draws buyers well beyond Grand Traverse County. McDonald said crowds arrive from Grand Rapids, Detroit, and beyond, with many making a full weekend trip out of it. He attributed continued strong turnout to steady improvement in the boats themselves: smoother rides, sharper engineering, and more room have kept existing boaters cycling back for upgrades.

"If you're a boater, you just love it, and you kind of want to keep moving up the food chain to get that next nicer boat," he said.

Sunday's hours run 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Civic Center on LaFranier Road. Those with questions can reach the show directly at info@traversecityboatshow.com. Blue Water Promotions also produces the Gaylord Boat Show, the Up-North Lake and Cottage Show, and the Traverse City Senior Expo, among other regional events.