Just came across the dates of the Houston Boat Show (1/3 - 1/12) and was wondering if it is a good show?

Usually the winter show isnt as big as the summer show.

It's good if you like fishing boats or wakeboard boats. Closest thing to performance boats would be some center consoles maybe. There are vendors there, like mechanics, gel coat and such. Might be good for you to stroll through to see that, but don't go expecting to see any performance boats. I usually go just as an excuse to get out of the house and drink a couple of beers.

Unless you are looking for a shallow water fishing boat, a wakeboard boat, or a low quality cruiser, don't waste your time. It was good about 14 years ago, but not anymore.

Thanks for the replies, if we decide to go we'll know what we're in for.

Does the summer show have more performance boats and engines?

As of about five years ago, all of the shows around here have fizzled on having any new performance boats, as there are not any of those types of dealers around here anymore. So the vendors normally associated with that have dwindled as well. There are very limited new manufacturers with Fountain, Baja, Donzi and others, seems like the only ones left are high dollar manufacturers, and they seem to use Poker Runs to promote their products.

The winter boat show last for a week including 2 weekends and the summer show just a long weekend. As stated, it used to be great and we would go every year. Probably haven't been in the last 5 years or longer. We always had a great time and met lots of people there. Those were the days! Also include pontoons as boats to see there now, hum....getting old and thinking pontoon now. Crap, did I say that!!

That makes perfect sense and as I hit the post button that's what I was thinking, if they aren't being build then there aren't dealers selling them.

My wife and I kid about getting a pontoon, I know I wouldn't be so worried about it like I am with our current boat! I think before going with a pontoon we'd probably get an average run-of-the-mill CC with twin outboards, again so I don't have to be so damn worried about it and at the end of the day just take a hose to it.

If the Houston show is anything like the Austin one, it'll be STACKED with pontoons

It's just lame. The closest thing we have to a good boat show would probably be at the outlaw challenge.