An interactive timeline showcasing the Minneapolis Boat Show over the past 40 years.
Created by nmmashows on Jun 20, 2011
Last updated: 10/06/11 at 02:16 PM
The Minneapolis Boat Show turns 40 in January of 2012. Thanks to all of our exhibitors and attendees who have made the show so great over these past 40 years!
In 2011, a few of the larger boats at the Minneapolis Boat Show were displayed in the Big Boat Pavilion. Attendees lined up to check out these lavish vessels--remember to take off your shoes!
At the 2011 Boat Show, Cobalt Boats was awarded the Best Boat Display Award. Brad Nelson of C&C Boat Works (left), Clark Boone of Cobalt (middle), and Jon Erickson of Erickson Marine (right) posed for a shot with their award.
At the 2011 Boat Show attendees had the chance to scuba dive in a tropically heated pool. A great taste of summer in the middle of January!
The 2011 Boat Show introduced a new lineup of interactive seminars and demonstrations as part of the DIY Boat Shop. Attendees were able to ask questions about topics like engine maintenance, electronics, proper boat cleaning and more.
Brianna Oakes from Children's Hospital talks about being involved with the Taste of the Lakes event at the 2010 Boat Show.
Celebrity sightings are plentiful at the Boat Show each year. At the 2010 show Jared Allen from the Minnesota Vikings stopped by the Minnesota Inboard booth featuring new Malibu Boats.
Attendees went double-o crazy over a display of boats used in several James Bond movies. What is your favorite Bond Boat scene?
At the 2009 Boat Show attendees had the opportunity to bid on a boating date with several eligible captains. Proceeds went to Children's Hospital.
The Uran Family were the winners of the second Bling My Boat contest at the 2008 Boat Show.
Commander Suzanne Giesemann, USN (Ret.) served twenty years in the United States Navy, including duty as a Commanding Officer and Aide-de-Camp to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Since 2003, she and her husband, Ty, have been cruising aboard their Morgan 46 sloop, Liberty, from Newfoundland to the Bahamas, and across the Atlantic Ocean to the Mediterranean. She spoke to attendees at the 2008 Minneapolis Boat Show as part of SailFest.
A look overhead at part of the show floor in 2007.
Jon Noreen was the winner of the first Bling my Boat contest organized by the Boat Show and dozens of sponsors.
Families lined up for the lifejacket giveaway sponsored by American Family Insurance at the 2007 Boat Show.
Wayzata Marine was awarded the best boat display award at the 2006 Boat Show. Sales Manager Darren Envall (left) and Show Manager Jennifer Thompson (right) presented the award.
In 2006 as part of the Antique & Classic Boat Display a rare Amphicar was on display. Amphicars were produced in Germany in the 1960s. Only 3,878 were made and very few remain in working order today.
In 2004, General Sport Shows sold the Minneapolis Boat Show, the Northwest Sportshow, the Kansas City Sportshow and the Des Moines Sportshow to the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA). The 2004 show was the last Boat Show produced by David Perkins and General Sport Shows, although Mr. Perkins stayed on for several years as a consultant.
Attendees check out the impressive collection of classic outboard motors as the 2004 Boat Show. Who remembers using one of these in their younger years?
A view of the show floor in 1998.
Three boys proudly display the wooden boats they made at the Boat Show.
A crowd waits to get their tickets for the Boat Show.
Boat Show visitors browse the selection of Sea Ray marine equipment that was displayed at the 1997 show.
A view of the show floor in 1996.
A glimpse at the show floor in 1994.
The America's Cup was displayed at the 1994 Minneapolis Boat Show.
The low interest rates of 1992 accompanied by the normal water levels made it a great year for potential buyers to attend the Boat Show. Shown here is the show floor.
Stored in a barn for 50 years, this iceboat was discovered and restored by champion ice-boat racer, Bruce Nicolle. This rare, 25-foot, gaff-rigged iceboat was built for sailing on ice and was able to travel at speeds up to 105 miles per hour. Both Nicolle and his boat were at the Minneapolis Boat Show in 1991.
In 1991 the Minneapolis Boat Show returned to its previous home, the Minneapolis Convention Center. However, unlike previous years the Boat Show became the first consumer show to occupy all 285,000 square feet of the Convention Center, the size of six football fields.
Shown here is the cover of a Boat Show advertisement that appeared in the Minneapolis Star Tribune.
After rowing across the Atlantic and Pacific oceans in a rowboat, Kathleen and Curtis Saville returned to the Boat Show. During their 1991 appearance, the couple showed off the 25-foot solar-powered boat that they developed. This boat, shown here, has not only taken them across the Mississippi, but also secured the pair a Lindbergh Grant to further explore the Atlantic.
The nineties proved to be another successful decade for the Minneapolis Boat Show. After a three-year stint at the H.H.H Metrodome, the show moved back to its original home, the Minneapolis Convention Center in 1991.
Artist turned boat builder, Tom Schrunk attended the 18th Annual Boat Show accompanied by his handcrafted wooden boats. Schrunk used a variety of different woods when creating his boats to enhance their lines. Ornamenting his creations are detailed fish in inlaid veneer on both the inside and outside of the boat.
Once again, the boat show was held at the Minneapolis H.H.H. Metrodome. Boat Show attendees were able to discuss financing of marine purchases at the Boat Show Financial Center which provided “on-the-spot” service. Shown here is a couple discussing payment options of with a lender.
A couple browses the speedboats at the Minneapolis Boat Show with a representative.
In 1989 the Minneapolis Boat show left its previous home, The Minneapolis Convention Center for the carpeted H.H.H. Metrodome allowing the show to grow twenty percent from the previous year. Changes like these illustrate the growing popularity of the Minneapolis Boat Show. The 1989 show floor is shown here.
Master canoe builder and Minnesota native, Joe Seliga, appeared daily at the Boat Show to share experiences and expertise with show goers. The “Seliga” canoe was known to be one of the best in the world for their easy handling, durability in rough water and their undeniable craftsmanship.
When the cabin cruisers gained popularity in the 1960’s the day cruiser almost disappeared off the boating scene. That is, until it returned to the boat show in 1989. Day cruisers have an open stern, while cabin cruisers are more for night sailing with less room in the front. This particular day cruiser, owned by Irwin Jacobs, caught the eye of many show visitors. However, day cruisers are not for the frugal spender, this 26-foot Windsor Day Cruiser’s cost was $70,000.
A couple browses the speedboats at the 1989 Minneapolis Boat Show with a representative.
Gumby hangs out with kids at the Boat Show.
The cover of an advertisement for the 1989 Boat Show that was included in the Minneapolis Star Tribune.
The Minnesota Canoe Association featured an exhibit of an assortment of whitewater, cruising and racing canoes at the 1988 Minneapolis Boat Show. At the exhibit, MCA volunteer craftsmen constructed a wood strip canoe in front of onlookers from start to finish. The exhibit staff included experts in quiet water cruising, urban paddling, long distance racing, freestyle paddling, and whitewater canoeing and kayaking.
Minneapolis native, Mike Plant was the winner of the 1986-1987 BOC Challenge and a winner of the Trans-superior Yacht Race. For the BOC Challenge, Mike Plant endured a solo 27,000-mile, around-the-world yacht race where he traveled from Newport, Rhode Island to South Africa, Australia and Rio de Janeiro before returning to Newport. Mike appeared at the 1988 Minneapolis Boat Show with pictures, video, and several stories from his 154 days upon sea.
Kathleen and Curtis Saville were the first American couple to venture across the 10,000 miles of the Pacific Ocean in a rowboat. Before their 1984 journey across the Pacific, Kathleen and Curtis also traveled the Atlantic Ocean and the full length of the Mississippi River. The Saville’s sought more than adventure during their expeditions, they also monitored the waters for oceanic pollution. The two explorers answered questions and shared stories of their voyage with show visitors. Kathleen Saville is shown here on their boat, “Excalibur Pacific”.
Once again the 1987 Boat Show was home to 200,000 square feet of displays and exhibits including cruisers, luxury yachts, canoes, sailboats, fishing boats, motors, trailers and marine accessories. The Antique and Classic Boat Society once again displayed restored, vintage boats like the one pictured here.
In addition to various sizes, types and styles of boats, racing hydroplanes were included in the 1986 lineup. These racing powerboats have a history dating back to the mid-50s. Drivers and owners of the boats were available to answer questions about these speedboats during the show.
During the 1986 Minneapolis Boat Show, artisans Ray Boessel and Scott Hafeman built a 16-foot canoe made out of birch bark from start to finish. The two men did not use nails, only native materials and techniques used by American and Canadian Indians passed down through generations to complete the boat. During each of the five days of the boat show, the men completed a different phase of the boat, entertaining on-lookers. Ray Boessel is shown here.
Delighting visitors at the 1985 show was Jim Schmidt and his racing armadillo, Arnie. Jim's racing armadillos have raced with such celebrities as Joan Rivers and the Smothers Brothers.
A 1985 Chris Craft factory image, this boat was shown that year at the Boat Show.
This 1932 Chris Craft was one of six classic boats in the Antique Boat Exhibit. The exhibit included boats from the early 1930’s to mid 1950’s.
Janet Groene, author of “Cooking on the Go” and “How to Live Aboard a Boat” shared stories of her adventures and recipes at the Minneapolis Boat Show. Janet and her husband, Gordon, gave up their comfortable suburban home to sail the Bahamas, New Zealand, England, Australia, the Virgin Islands, and Central America for ten years. During these years, Janet not only became an experienced sailor but also somewhat of an expert on cooking without everyday necessities such as an oven, or an abundance of water.
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