2026 New England Boat Show, Jan 7-11

[Bizer]

The 2026 New England Boat Show is this upcoming Wednesday to Sunday at the Convention and Exhibition Center in Boston. In looking at the list of exhibitors, nine Winnipesaukee Marinas as well several other NH marine exhibitors will be there.

[ishoot308]

We plan on going Saturday. That show has really been good the last few years and we really enjoy going and make a day out of it.

Have fun!

Dan

[ishoot308]

Just saw that Winnisquam Marine will have 47 boats on display at the show!! That is truly quite impressive and must be a monster of an undertaking to move and prepare all those boats for the show!

Dan

[camp guy]

At one point in time, boat displayers at boat shows sold display models for seriously discounted money at the end of the show if the buyer was able to haul the boat away. This saved the displayer the return home expenses. Some displayers even included spring commissioning in the deal if reasonably proximate to their shop.
It doesn't hurt to ask!

[codeman671]

Will be there on Saturday!

[8gv]

Before the "Boats are sooooo @&#%*** expensive now" ranting begins, I wish to ask just one question:

When were they not?



Maybe this will help:

Boat Purchase Decision Tool

1) Do I want it?

2) Can I afford it?

If the answers are yes/yes then buy the boat.

If the answers are yes/no then revisit question 1.

[Biggd]

Originally Posted by 8gv

Before the "Boats are sooooo @&#%*** expensive now" ranting begins, I with to ask just one question:

When were they not?



Maybe this will help:

Boat Purchase Decision Tool

1) Do I want it?

2) Can I afford it?

If the answers are yes/yes then buy the boat.

If the answers are yes/no then revisit question 1.

If you can't afford one then don't go to the boat show. They will find a way to make it affordable, 15 to 20 year note, where 10 years in you still owe more than it's worth.

[Descant]

Originally Posted by 8gv

Before the "Boats are sooooo @&#%*** expensive now" ranting begins, I wish to ask just one question:

When were they not?

2009-2010.
It's all a matter of perspective. Five years ago the kids added a 13' Boston Whaler to the fleet. As the gandchildren have now graduated to over 25hp+, they bought a17' Montauk. They expect to sell the 13' Sport for more than the original purchase price. Not so expensive after all.

[ishoot308]

Originally Posted by Descant

2009-2010.
It's all a matter of perspective. Five years ago the kids added a 13' Boston Whaler to the fleet. As the gandchildren have now graduated to over 25hp+, they bought a17' Montauk. They expect to sell the 13' Sport for more than the original purchase price. Not so expensive after all.

Those 13’ Whalers are always in high demand! Like any Whaler they hold their value well!!

Dan

[VitaBene]

My wife and I drove up from Cape Cod- we saw a a bunch of boats headed north to the show. Once we got through Boston, we saw them headed south to the show!

[upthesaukee]

Gee whiz..... Maybe something going on in Boston????

Dave

[Descant]

Last year, so I'd guess this year too. Miles Marine had some trucks on the display floor. It seems a lot of vendors get their boats to the show, but Miles is the one that can maneuver them inside and got a free booth. They were then headed to other shows up and down the coast. I also learned that Diamond Shine sends a team to the show to detail boats from several dealers once the boats are on the display floor.
Lots of behind the scenes effort before they open the doors.

[TiltonBB]

Miles Marine is the "Go to" for all of the marinas around the lake when they have a larger boat to move. They bring a lot of boats to the show in Boston and their hydraulic trailers move many of the boats into the building. They move plenty of smaller boats all year long, and even the Marine Patrol uses them to move their boats.

[tis]

Great people! Miles Marine hauled our boat from Wolfeboro to Laconia and back for years and we couldn't have asked for anybody better or nicer! Love Miles!!

[fatlazyless]

Is nothing more boring than driving three hours through Boston traffic, NH to south side of Boston, to go look at super expensive, big money boats inside a huge indoor event building. You need to pay just to go inside the building, and maybe pay to park, too.

You is better off staying here in NH and do the snow; snowblower, shovel, roof-rake and repeat! .........

[dippasan]

Sometimes you just have to scratch an itch

[Biggd]

My wife just said to me this morning, "why don't we go to the boat show this weekend". I don't know if I should take the bait.

[ishoot308]

Originally Posted by fatlazyless

Is nothing more boring than driving three hours through Boston traffic, NH to south side of Boston, to go look at super expensive, big money boats inside a huge indoor event building. You need to pay just to go inside the building, and maybe pay to park, too.

You is better off staying here in NH and do the snow; snowblower, shovel, roof-rake and repeat! .........

Life is too short FLL! You should be spending some of that money you have as I have never seen a luggage rack on a hearse!

Dan

[fatlazyless]

What you say ........ hey, an 11'x32" sup weighing 25-lbs will fit inside a hearse right on top of my coffin when the driver opens up the window in front!

I'll be stand-up paddling that sup ...... down there ..... up there ..... definitely somewhere! ......

[ishoot308]

Originally Posted by fatlazyless

What you say ........ hey, an 11'x32" sup weighing 25-lbs will fit inside a hearse right on top of my coffin when the driver opens up the window in front!

I'll be stand-up paddling that sup ...... down there ..... up there ..... definitely somewhere! ......

Don't forget your foam noodle!!

[8gv]

Originally Posted by Biggd

My wife just said to me this morning, "why don't we go to the boat show this weekend". I don't know if I should take the bait.

Going to the New England Boat Show can bring a respite from the misery of winter.

It can also get you a new boat.

Either way your wife now shares some of the accountability.

Do not miss this opportunity!

[Biggd]

Originally Posted by 8gv

Going to the New England Boat Show can bring a respite from the misery of winter.

It can also get you a new boat.

Either way your wife now shares some of the accountability.

Do not miss this opportunity!

That may be true but when things go wrong, I will always get the blame!

[codeman671]

Originally Posted by Biggd

That may be true but when things go wrong, I will always get the blame!

There is a term for that theory...

Marriage

[TiltonBB]

Originally Posted by fatlazyless

Is nothing more boring than driving three hours through Boston traffic, NH to south side of Boston, to go look at super expensive, big money boats inside a huge indoor event building. You need to pay just to go inside the building, and maybe pay to park, too.

You is better off staying here in NH and do the snow; snowblower, shovel, roof-rake and repeat! .........

The ride is not boring if you do it in a newer, quiet, vehicle with adaptive cruise control (PM if you need an explanation) and satellite radio. You can keep up on the news and listen to your favorite music! They even have a station for 70's music, and, if your life has depressed you there are several comedy stations.

[fatlazyless]

New England Boat Show-2026, located on south side of Boston, Mass.

Open Wednesday, January 7 to Sunday, January 11, 2026 from noon to eight o'clock

Take Exit 16B off Route 93, south side of Boston onto Purchase Street and follow signs to Thomas Menino Convention Center nearby.

Admission: $20/adult and free to age twelve and younger when accompanied by adult.

Parking: $25 to $50 nearby

What's happening at the boat show? Here's a fun-to-watch .... www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hnc0Dk-nBmo .... 22:30-minute video made on Thursday, January 8, 2025, one year ago.

No dogs on leashes allowed inside. Coat check available.

Can you get onboard the boats? Yes, with permission.

"Let's Get You Underway" ...... www.goodhueboat.com/about-us/ ...... since 1903

[chachee52]

Went down yesterday for the first time in years. Good show. Looked at a lot of Center Consoles that I'm interested in. The Pioneer felt like a really good boat. Wanted to see a Welcraft/Scaraab but they didn't have any center consoles at the show that I saw.
I must say, and I'm obviously a minority, I miss the sail boats. I remember when they used to be there with full rigs. I understand that people don't want them anymore, but I do love sailing and missed that part. There weren't even sunfish or lasers at this show.
Again, I'm a minority, but did it really have to be half the boats were pontoons? after about boarding 10 boats, they all looked the same. But I get that is what people want now.
All and all, spent the entire afternoon there until almost closing and it was a good show. Glad I went down.

[ishoot308]

We went yesterday also. It was a very well attended show as the main parking lot was full and we had to be shuttled in from a nearby parking garage.

Lots of boats and yes lots of pontoons! I did see a lot of boats I liked but left empty handed!

All in all a great show!

Dan

[fatlazyless]

Originally Posted by chachee52

I must say, and I'm obviously a minority, I miss the sail boats. I remember when they used to be there with full rigs.

Just like a new motorboat, a new sailboat is whopping super-duper, wicked big-money EXPENSIVE ...... !

Even a new 12' or 14' small sailboat like a Sunfish has become incredibly unbelievably, totally expensive!

On the other hand, window shopping for a sailboat in Craigslist has a lot to offer including some super steal-of-a-deal, bargain basement prices. Some sailboat owners just want to get rid of it and have it priced down LOW .... .

Once you own a used sailboat, there's www.faysboatyard.com in Gilford ...... the place to go for all types of sailboat replacement parts and items .... .

And, sailboats in N.H. that measure less than twelve feet, not including the rudder and gudgeons do not require a N.H. boat registration.

[retired]

When my day of reckoning comes, can I be buried in my boat?

[FlyingScot]

Originally Posted by fatlazyless

Just like a new motorboat, a new sailboat is whopping super-duper, wicked big-money EXPENSIVE ...... !

Even a new 12' or 14' small sailboat like a Sunfish has become incredibly unbelievably, totally expensive!

On the other hand, window shopping for a sailboat in Craigslist has a lot to offer including some super steal-of-a-deal, bargain basement prices. Some sailboat owners just want to get rid of it and have it priced down LOW .... .

Once you own a used sailboat, there's www.faysboatyard.com in Gilford ...... the place to go for all types of sailboat replacement parts and items .... .

And, sailboats in N.H. that measure less than twelve feet, not including the rudder and gudgeons do not require a N.H. boat registration.

No doubt sailboat prices have gone up, but they are still way cheaper than power, especially after you think about maintenance and gas. Fay's does have a great selection, and they make it easy for a rookie to get started

[Descant]

Originally Posted by retired

When my day of reckoning comes, can I be buried in my boat?

Are you a Scandinavian king? In the Viking age, kings were buried in a longship, along with earthly treasures.

[John Mercier]

Can you imagine the red tape to push him out into Winni in his boat and alight it with flaming arrows?

[thinkxingu]

Originally Posted by John Mercier

Can you imagine the red tape to push him out into Winni in his boat and alight it with flaming arrows?

Red tape doesn't extend to the afterlife.

Sent from my SM-S931U using Tapatalk

[mofn]

For those who do not get to Boston much, if coming down Rt.1 a Kane’s doughnut is a must pre-show.
You like Asian, you have China Town, the real deal not Americanized slop, be adventuress when ordering… Durian pastries etc. You can turn it into a memorable trip/day let alone a new boat?

[retired]

I was thinking of being buried in my boat along with the rest of my money so it could continue to suck me dry in the afterlife.

[John Mercier]

How quaint.
You think the IRS is going to let you keep some of it.

Well, like the old saying goes...

That which does not kill us,
Makes us want to drink.

[Descant]

Originally Posted by retired

I was thinking of being buried in my boat along with the rest of my money so it could continue to suck me dry in the afterlife.

If you have a boat and left over money, you definitely need a bigger boat, or a specialty boat just for parades and holidays.