Boat Show Etiquette: The Do’s and Don’ts of Attending a Boat Show

Looking for boat shows to visit next year? You’re in luck! The Discover Boating New England Boat Show, the Discover Boating Chicago Boat Show, and the Discover Boating Atlanta Boat Show are kicking off the winter boat show season on January 10-14, 2024.

As we gear up for more upcoming Discover Boating boat shows, prepare for a day filled with boat shopping, exciting features, and family fun! If you’re new to boat shows, you might be wondering about the etiquette, and that’s what we’ll cover in this post.

Find a Boat Show Near You

To ensure you make the most of your experience, here are some boat show etiquette tips that every show attendee should follow.

10 Tips for Attending a Boat Show

1. Do Ask Before You Board Boats

Before stepping on board, always remember to ask the seller for permission. Although you’re typically encouraged to explore the vessel, it’s respectful to request permission first. Additionally, some sellers may have specific capacity limits for their boats at any given time.

2. Don’t Use the Boat’s Restroom

Don’t treat the boat like it’s already yours! Therefore, you should avoid using the bathrooms on boat tours. Wait until you get off the boat and find a restroom at the venue.

3. Do Take Off Your Shoes

After getting permission to board the boat, remove your shoes before coming aboard. This helps keep the boat clean and tidy, so it looks its best throughout the entire show.

4. Don’t Eat on Boats

If you’re hungry, eat before or after boarding the boats. The boats must remain clean to impress prospective buyers, so eating and drinking isn’t permitted.

5. Do Come Prepared

When shopping for a vessel, research the brands or boat types you’re interested in. To make your shopping process easier, check out the Discover Boating Boat Finder.

Visit the Boat Finder

6. Don’t Bring your Pets

We all love our pets! However, bringing them to a boat show isn’t a good idea. Since you’ll be looking at boats all day, you must leave your furry friends at home (unless they’re a service dog). However, once the vessel is yours, you can do as you wish!

7. Do Bring Your Kids Along for the Fun 

With various exhibits and displays to explore, boat shows are fun for the whole family!

8. Do Make the Most of the Learning Opportunities

Boat shows feature a variety of seminars and lessons covering topics like boating safety, fishing skills, and boat repairs. Take a look at the itinerary, and make sure to attend a few classes to freshen up your knowledge!

9. Do Wear Comfortable Shoes

The best shoes for boat shows are going to be comfortable walking shoes. Your feet will thank you as you’re walking around the venue and taking your shoes on and off to board boats.

10. Don’t Be Afraid to Ask Questions 

Discover Boating boat shows always have staff on-site to answer any questions you might have. Don’t hesitate to ask!

Follow These Boat Show Tips to Make the Most of Your Experience

As we mentioned, there are plenty of incredible boat shows coming up in 2024. To make the most of them, you’ll want to start preparing now!

Start researching shows in your area (see our boat show calendar), get your tickets, and browse the boats you’re interested in. That way, when the boat show weekend arrives, you’ll be well prepared.

Hopefully, today’s blog post familiarized you with boat show etiquette and helped you understand what to expect.