DEAR CLEVELAND MAGAZINE READERS,
WELCOME TO A SPECIAL SECTION DEDICATED TO THE PROGRESSIVE CLEVELAND BOAT SHOW , where we invite you to experience the world of life on the water. This event is more than just a boat show — it’s an opportunity to create cherished memories with family and friends. Boating offers something truly special: the chance to slow down, disconnect and share unforgettable moments surrounded by the beauty of Ohio’s waterways.
When my husband first mentioned buying a boat, I thought, “No one needs a boat!” Yet, that single decision transformed our lives in ways I never imagined. Over the past eight years, some of my happiest memories have been made on the water with my family. Boating has allowed us to bond, explore and discover a new world together. There’s nothing quite like the feeling of freedom and connection you get when you’re out on the water, sharing laughter and adventure with those you love.
I encourage you to explore the Cleveland Boat Show and see firsthand how boating can bring a lifetime of joy, connection and adventure to your family.
See you at the show, MICHELLE BURKE, Ohio Marine Trades Association
SHOW AT A GLANCE
THURS., JAN. 16 – Noon–9 p.m. FRI., JAN. 17 – 10 a.m.–9 p.m. SAT., JAN. 18 – 10 a.m.–9 p.m. SUN., JAN. 19 – 10 a.m.–5
At the Door:
General Admission: $20
Senior and Military Discount Tickets: $15
Children 6 and Under: Free
2025 Sport CRBN Twin 500R’s 1000HP 2025 25' S Series RF DC Arch 300HP
2024 25' C Series RF Arch 250HP 2025 24’ C Series Margaritaville Edition 2024 290 XSS Mercury V10 400HP 2024 280 SS Mercruiser 8.2L Big Block
2024 280 CRX 500HP 2025 310 CRX 700HP
2025 245 Finseeker Walkaround 2025 210 Finseeker Ctr Console
THE BOAT SHOW NAVIGATING
Plan ahead to make the most of your visit to the Progressive Cleveland Boat Show, Jan. 16-19 at the I-X Center. STORIES BY RUTH CORRADI BEACH
It’s a good thing the Progressive Cleveland Boat Show runs for four days, because there’s a lot to do! Buy, browse, learn, try, eat, play, fish — it’s all under one roof. Here’s a roundup of what you’ll encounter.
1 HUNDREDS OF BOATS FOR SALE
If you’ve been thinking about buying a boat, the Progressive Cleveland Boat Show is the place to do it. OMTA President Michelle Burke says, “The Boat Show is the sales event. The dealerships are there with their product to sell, and this is where you will get the best deal. Manufacturers offer special deals or rebates during boat shows that go away after it’s over.”
2 ON THE WATER OHIO BOATER EDUCATION CENTER
Learn about Ohio’s waterways and get inspired to go out and enjoy them. There will be boating safety courses and boating seminars, plus hands-on training in skills such as knot-tying. And if you’ve got any boating questions, Dockside Discussions is the place to bring them. Trained captains will be on hand to provide answers.
3 PROGRESSIVE INTERACTIVE FEATURES
The whole family can enjoy fun, interactive displays like the Progressive Skee the Country Experience (a boating-themed skee ball attraction). Hop aboard an advanced simulator to practice steering with the Sailing Challenge. There are plenty of other hands-on activities and giveaways, too.
4 LIVE MUSIC THROUGHOUT THE SHOW
What’s better during a Cleveland January than thinking about boating season? How about listening to island-style live music at the
same time? The show features continuous live performances from bands you may recognize if you spend your summer on the Lake Erie islands.
5 SHORES AND ISLANDS OHIO MAIN STAGE
This central stage will host more than bands — it will be a showcase for entertainment, talks and demonstrations.
6 PUT-IN-BAY PAVILION
“A number of Put-in-Bay businesses come to the show, along with the tourism bureau,” says Burke. And you can trick your tongue into thinking you’re in PiB, thanks to The Boardwalk’s famous lobster bisque. “There are people who come to the show for the bisque,” which is brought in fresh every day of the show, Burke notes.
7 UNIQUE ITEMS FOR THE BOATING LIFESTYLE
Dozens of vendors will be at the Boat Show, offering a whole range of must-haves for boaters. That means a wide variety of accessory displays featuring everything from fishing gear to fashion wear to nautical-themed home decor. You’ll also find vendors including marinas and dockage, brokerage displays, electronics, boat clubs, service centers, restaurants, travel info, kids’ boatbuilding kits and more.
8 LYMAN BOAT WORKS EXHIBIT
This year is the 150th anniversary of Lyman Boat Works, which built the famed wooden boats in Cleveland and then Sandusky. Peruse this exhibit honoring the rich history of these iconic vessels and take a cruise down memory lane. “Lymans were built and tested
JEFFREY KLAUM
on Lake Erie, so for so many Lake Erie boaters, that’s the boat they learned to boat on, to waterski on,” says Burke. “And if they didn’t have one, they certainly appreciate their beauty.”
9 TOYOTA TUNDRA FISHING STAGE
In partnership with the Lake Erie Walleye Trail (LEWT), this stage will feature hands-on fishing seminars for anglers of all levels, including insights on fishing techniques and answers to audience questions. Tournament-winning anglers and seasoned charter captains will offer expert advice on walleye, smallmouth bass and other species.
10 LAKE ERIE WALLEYE TRAIL KIDS FISHING CLINIC
Specially designed by great instructors, hands-on demos just for kids are hosted by LEWT professionals. This clinic is sure to inspire and educate young anglers.
11 BERKLEY TANK FISHING SEMINARS
Get up close with live fish at the 5,000-gallon Berkley Tank, a glass-sided tank filled with a variety of local fish. Local fishing pros give seminars atop the tank so you can see in real time how the fish react to different fishing techniques and lures.
12 ON THE WATER OHIO KIDS DISCOVERY AREA
This interactive area, designed specifically for young boaters, includes a kid-sized boat where children can learn, explore and spark their interest in boating. And with the Forever Lawn turf area, parents can pull up an Adirondack chair and watch their kids party like it’s summertime.
13 FAMILY-FRIENDLY ACTIVITIES
Don’t miss Twiggy the Waterskiing Squirrel, one of the most memory-making aspects of the Boat Show. Burke says, “People come in and say, ‘oh my parents took me to see Twiggy,’ or ‘my grandparents took me to see Twiggy;’ it’s nostalgia.” There are seminars and crafts for kids, too.
14 DIY WORKSHOPS AND MAINTENANCE TIPS
Attend workshops on boat maintenance, including DIY diagnostics and ceramic coating, taught by marine industry experts. Learn how to keep your boat or watercraft in tip-top shape, using your own skills.
15 CAREER COUNSELING AND INDUSTRY CONNECTIONS
There are all sorts of fulfilling careers that relate to the water, from marine technician to boat captain to sales coordinator. The Ohio Marine Training Center offers a great opportunity to connect with marine industry professionals for career advice and explore job opportunities within the sector. There’s even a job board of open positions.
16 KAYAKING AND PADDLEBOARDING DEMOS
There are over a quarter-million registered paddlecrafts (kayaks, canoes and paddleboards) in Ohio, which translates to lots of folks on the water. The On the Water Ohio Paddling Pool activities include kayak re-entry tutorials, whitewater kayaking intro sessions and kayak sailing. You can even learn what to do if your kayak takes on water.
17 BOAT BUYING 101
The Progressive Cleveland Boat Show is a remarkable opportunity to tap into expert advice on all sorts of boating-related topics. This seminar for first-time buyers includes lots of information on choosing the right boat, along with Q&A opportunities.
18 SAFETY DEMONSTRATIONS
Representatives from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) will be on hand to talk about essential boating safety protocols. Certified instructors will answer any questions, too.
HOW TO MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR VISIT TO THE PROGRESSIVE CLEVELAND BOAT SHOW:
HAVE A GAMEPLAN. If your plan is to wander and look, then go for it. If your plan is to buy a boat, review your budget, ask yourself some key questions (see “What Type of Boat Suits Your Lifestyle?” on page 10) and write down any questions you can think of.
BRING THE WHOLE CREW. There are so many things for kids to do, from learning pint-sized fishing techniques to frolicking in the Forever Lawn “grass.” And, if you’ve got everyone there, you can pile into the boat you’re considering and figure out where everyone will sit.
TAKE NOTES. You can ask captains about driving a boat, anglers about landing a walleye and paddleboarders for tips on balance. Bring a notebook and pen so you don’t forget any of it.
LEAVE WINTER OUTSIDE! It’s warm in the I-X Center, and with live music, boats, summery snacks and overall sunny atmosphere, you can — and should — ride the wave of summertime vibes.
TRANSFORMATIVE TALES
Find out how boating has enhanced the lives of individuals and families throughout Ohio.
FINDING JOY
There’s a certain joy that’s particular to boaters — a deep contentment that can be found only on the water. Angler Brian Zarembski traces that joy back to his childhood in Michigan. “I’m from a family of fishermen,” he says. “My dad took my brother and me out fishing as far back as I have memories, since I was probably three or four years old.”
Zarembski says he loved the whole experience of fishing, “getting up early in the morning, being with my brother and my dad, my mom making us sandwiches, driving out to the lake — the whole experience in addition to catching fish.”
His dad has since passed away, but he and his brother (who still lives in Michigan) fish together about 20 days a year.
Zarembski has been in Ohio for over two decades, and he’s continued the father/son boating tradition with two of his own sons.
“They like the fresh air, the water, being out with friends and family, fighting the fish — the sport of it — and then eating what they catch,” he shares.
As the owner of Erie Marine Sales, Zarembski feels fortunate to be able to help other people find their way to the joy of fishing on Lake Erie. “It’s about helping people get in the right boat to create memories with friends and family. Lots of people work their whole lives and spend money on a boat, and I want to make sure that they’re getting what they’re looking for.”
Scan the QR code to see Lara and three other boaters reflect on their love of the water.
A RELAXING MORNING RITUAL
Lara Wilken has found what she was looking for on the lake, and it came about in an unexpected way. In around 2019, she says, her family’s move from their 5-acre farm created major upheaval in her life. During the move, the family stayed in their boat house for a bit.
“I started taking our dinghy out on the lake in the morning to watch the sunrise,” she says.
It transformed her life. She now goes out just about every day the weather allows. “It’s a place I go to meditate, sketch and clear my head. No two sunrises are the same, and how fortunate I am because of this, to be present the precise moment when the sun first kisses the sky.”
Wilken is especially proud of the fact that she feels the confidence to be a woman alone out on the water. “While I know I am not the first [solo] woman boater, nor will I be the last, I feel like a pioneer of sorts at times having taught myself to boat in the Cove, now being confident enough to navigate larger bodies of water alone,” she says.
Wilken’s 17-year-old daughter Delilah, inspired by her mother, earned her boating license even before she earned her driver’s license. “I’d see my mom out on her little boat in the morning and thought that was something really cool I wanted to do one day. [And now] I like waking up in the morning and going out by myself,” says Delilah. “It’s really peaceful. The lake is such a constant — I could spend the rest of my life on the water.”
She also likes taking her younger brother, Lyman, out on the water with her. Lyman is named for Lyman boats, because their father, Jake, grew up on Lyman boats, thus continuing this family tradition. Chances are, Lyman will be the next Wilken forging his own path on the waters of Lake Erie.
BUYING BOAT 101
Thinking about a boat? Here’s what to consider before you buy.
So, you want to buy a boat? The Progressive Cleveland Boat Show is the perfect place to start. That’s for a couple reasons, says Jim Armington, vice president of Buckeye Sports Center. “A lot of dealers carry one or two brands [in their store] and say, ‘This is the one for you,’ but you want to decide that for yourself. So, go to the Boat Show. Of the specific type of boat you are looking for, there will be eight to 10 brands.”
Armington continues, “The Boat Show is where a lot of manufacturers have incentives they offer dealers to pass along, just during that period. Often there are deals that can be taken advantage of just at the Boat Show. Closeouts, for instance: Our 2024s are at the lowest prices of the year, and those go the first day or so.”
That means you can ask questions about specific aspects of the exact boat you could own by the end of the day. Plus, you can even grab your crew (so to speak) and climb aboard to make sure everyone has a satisfactory place to sit and the amenities you want are all there.
It’s important to note that unlike at a car show, where visitors go to look at cars, at boat shows, “you are going there to buy a boat,” says Michelle Burke of OMTA. “It’s possible to put in a custom order, for sure, but all the boats in the show are for sale.”
It might seem overwhelming to buy a first boat — even tough to know exactly what questions to ask. Definitely do some of your own research beforehand, but rest assured that the boat dealers at the Progressive Cleveland Boat Show have walked customers through the process many times.
In fact, buying a boat is as easy as buying a car, but with even better terms because the payments can be extended for up to 20 years, making the monthly cost fit any budget.
Every boat dealer is trained and well-versed in handling the financing arrangements in a no-hassle way for each customer. “A good salesperson should be very familiar with high-level budgeting,” adds Tom Mack, OMTA past chairman and board member and owner of Tom Mack Yachts.
Consider Trade-Ins
Like with cars, trade-ins are welcome when buying a boat. Bert Ammerman, owner of Erie Marine Boats, Lifts and Docks, explains, “Sometimes people want to come in and make a trade, and even if they didn’t buy it from us, we’ll help them find a larger boat. It’s pretty common [for dealers] to take trades.”
First-time buyers can benefit from those trade-ins, says Armington. “We have a lot of people who, during COVID, bought a boat. And now that they’ve been using it, they know exactly what they want. They’re coming in to trade in for the boat that has exactly the options, features and horsepower they want, and they’re ordering at a good preseason price, so we store it for them and make sure they have a new boat for springtime.”
Those previously owned boats are a good option for first-time boat buyers, especially when purchased through reputable dealers, like those at the Boat Show, who will perform a mechanical inspection before taking in a preowned boat or selling one to a customer.
There are a lot of aspects to consider when buying a boat, just as with any other major purchase. The Boat Show is a well-organized, all-in-one location in which to do your shopping.
The bottom line is, this is a good time to buy a boat, says Mack, in large part because you’re sure to find a good deal. But equally important, Mack notes, is that there’s no time like the present. “Life is short, and days are ticking off,” he says. “We’re only here for so long. Assuming boating is what you want to do and how you want to spend quality time, now is the time to buy it.”
Just as with a house, there are some expenses involved with owning a boat that go beyond the purchase price, including insurance, storage, dockage and maintenance.
There’s also the cost of gas for the boat and, if it’s going to be towed, gas for the tow vehicle. Armington explains how to address each of these financial factors: “We [boat dealers] handle all financing [just as car dealerships do], any of the storage, the extended warranty ... anything buyers need to make boating easier for them.”
When it comes to boating insurance, though, Armington recommends customers go through their insurance agents. “Most often, people will get their best insurance rate by going through their existing home and car insurance,” he says. “Bundling those can result in a better rate than if we were to send them to someone who just insures boats.”
Cedar Point Marina • Castaway Bay Marina • Sawmill Creek Marina
When you dock at a Cedar Point Marina, you will not only be at one of the finest marinas on Lake Erie, but also close to the fun and excitement of Cedar Point — A Place Like No Other®.
• Two Cedar Point Gold Pases including the All Park Passport — unlimited season-long access to Cedar Point, Cedar Point Shores, Kings Island and Legacy Cedar Fair and Six Flags parks
• Exclusive perks including Early Entry to Cedar Point plus discounts on food, merchandise and more
• Complimentary parking and Cedar Point peninsula shuttle service
• Access to essential amenities: including multiple restaurants & bars, convenience store, security, air-conditioned restrooms and showers, pool and spa, cable TV and much more Visit cedarpoint.com/marinas, email marinainfo@cedarpoint.com, or call 419.627.2334 for details.
Amenities vary by location.
Which Boat is Right for Me?
The answer to this question always starts with a whole list of other questions.
Just like with cars, there are many types of boats available, ranging from entry-level to luxury. It’s not just the size of the boat that determines its price, says Tom Mack, OMTA past chairman and board member and owner of Tom Mack Yachts. The more bells and whistles, the higher the price.
FISHING: Entry-level boats can be a perfect fit for fishing in Ohio’s many inland lakes and rivers. And, they can even work on Lake Erie during calmer weather. “But a more rugged, high-end boat that’s bigger, with a bigger engine, could get out more days and go farther out on [Lake Erie] in varied weather on rougher days,” Mack says.
CRUISING: Maybe you want a boat with overnight accommodations so you can spend lots of time on the water, exploring Ohio’s waterways. Consider your needs. Do you need a nice shower, a cooking galley or separate sleeping quarters?
ENTERTAINMENT: If dropping anchor and swimming is your jam, or hanging out with friends and tubing, the sky’s the limit, Mack says. “Luxury pontoons can be as comfortable as anything in a house, with luxury seating, sound systems, generators and grills — like a floating oasis for entertainment.” Entry-level choices for entertainment will be less plush but still fun.
QUIZ: WHAT TYPE OF BOAT SUITS YOUR LIFESTYLE?
Ask yourself these questions (and bring your answers to your boat retailer):
1. Where do I envision going?
a. Within a bay
b. Out on Lake Erie
c. To the Lake Erie islands
d. As far as I can go with my vacation days
2. What’s my ideal day on the water?
a. Cruising
b. Island-hopping
c. Fishing
d. Tubing and swimming
3. How many people will be on the boat?
a. Just me
b. Just the two of us
c. The family
d. The whole team
4. What’s my purchasing budget?
5. What’s my yearly maintenance budget?
Our Great Lake Erie
Play all day at the beach, boat or fish at the lake, hike the trails, and make memories that last a lifetime! Come for the day or stay for the week. Full hook-up campsites await at a MWCD lake near you!
