WHAT: The Discover Boating® Atlantic City Boat Show®, in partnership with Progressive Insurance®, returns to the Atlantic City Convention Center February 26 – March 2, 2025. This Atlantic City tradition invites nautical novices, seasoned sailors, and water lovers alike to plunge into summer fun and experience the best of the boat life with an indoor paddle sports pool, Art of Casting Pond, and the most comprehensive selection of new boats and marine gear to shop in New Jersey.
SHOW HIGHLIGHTS
- More boats, more brands, big sales! See & shop big sales on the most comprehensive selection of boat brands and types in the region from center consoles and family cruisers to pontoons and wake sports boats – with boat show specials on the newest boating accessories, marine electronics and on-the-water must-haves.
- The Paddlesports Experience invites attendees to get on the water and try a variety of paddle sports, plus daily kayak and paddleboard demos from the experts. Courtesy of Fin-atics Marine Supply of Ocean City, NJ.
- Art of Casting Pond & Jigging Techniques Tank: Learn the art of casting and jigging from the experts at Goose Hummock Saltwater Fishing Outfitters. Casting atop a 30' long tank and jigging atop a 15’ high tank.
- Expert anglers will share tips and tricks to help attendees improve their catch at the Discover Fishing Seminar Series, presented by The Fisherman Magazine. These complimentary sessions cover a variety of topics – from proper rigging for big game fishing and offshore angling to how to land a trophy striper.
- Fun for the Kids…plus Kids 12 & Under get in FREE!
- NEW Fishing Frenzy Ball-Pit Pond allows little anglers to reel in the fun as they try their hand at “catching the big one” – fin-tastic fun!
- Kids’ Build-a-Boat: little skippers will have boatloads of fun creating one-of-a-kind nautical masterpieces inspired by their time at the show.
- Discover Boating Beach Club – Kick back and relax with your crew as you enjoy cocktails, mocktails and live music by Pete’s One Mann Band, all surrounded by hundreds of the coolest new boats and marine innovations on the market today.
- America’s Boating Club’s® Boating Simulator: Take the helm and get “hands-on” practice in boating skills such as docking, pivot turns, stopping and more using a real Mercury throttle and steering wheel.
- Free “Boating 101” education for new boaters and experts alike at Fred’s Shed How-to Center, presented by Progressive®, featuring tips, advice and practical skills during daily seminars and demos that cover everything from getting started and operating your boat to service, maintenance and more.
- Captain’s Table Gala on Thursday, February 27 benefitting “Let Us Eat, Please” and the Community FoodBank of New Jersey.
- Take a step back in time at the Classic & Race Boat Display with boats dating back 72 years. Boats include a restored 1951 wooden Chris Craft Holiday.
- Watch award winning professional sand sculptor John Gowdy create his next masterpiece as he transforms a pile of sand into an amazing work of art.
SHOW DETAILS
WHEN: Wednesday, February 26-Sunday, March 2, 2025, Weds-Fri: 12:00pm-8:00pm; Sat: 10:00am-8:00pm; Sun: 10:00am-6:00pm
WHERE: 1 Convention Boulevard, Atlantic City, NJ 08401
TICKETS: Purchase tickets online at ACBoatShow.com ($20 for adults; children 12 and under get in FREE)
On Wednesday, February 26, all all active and retired military, first responders and USCG/USCGA members get in FREE. Simply show valid identification along with photo ID at Will Call for a complimentary ticket.
WEB/SOCIAL: Visit ACBoatShow.com for full details, plus stay tuned to Instagram?and?Facebook for up-to-the-minute information, giveaways and more #ACBoatShow @DiscoverBoating
NEW JERSEY BOATING BY THE NUMBERS*
- New Jersey Boating Sales totaled $716 Million in 2023 including new powerboats, outboard engines, boat trailers and aftermarket accessories.
- NJ ranked 16 in total marine expenditures in 2023.
- Boating has a $6.6 Billion economic impact in NJ, supporting 20,177 jobs and 1,193 businesses.
U.S. BOATING BY THE NUMBERS*
- Looking to 2025, NMMA anticipates sales of new powerboats to begin to show signs of a return to growth driven by innovative new products, changes in U.S. economic policies and consistent consumer demand for on-water experiences.
- Following years of record highs, new powerboat retail unit sales in 2024 declined an estimated 9%-12%, to approx. 230,000-240,000 units in the U.S.
- With Americans continuing to hit the water in record numbers since 2020, U.S. boating expenditures in 2025 are expected to sustain record highs, coming in as much as 3-5% above 2024’s anticipated final tally of $55 billion.
- Boating and fishing are the leading driver of the $1.2 trillion outdoor recreation economy, which contributes 2.3% of our nation’s GDP. (Source: Bureau of Economic Analysis)
- The recreational boating industry is an economic driver supporting more than 812,000 American jobs and more than 36,000 American businesses.
- An estimated 85 million Americans go boating each year.
- Ninety-five percent of boats sold in the U.S. are American made.