The Rochester Boat Show is back at the Rochester Riverside Convention Center after a two-year pandemic pause.

Somehow, someway boat show manager Dave Heimes of McMillan Marine gets 300 boats and personal watercraft inside the Rochester Convention Center so that everyone can climb aboard.

What You Need To Know

  • The Rochester Boat Show includes 300 boats and watercraft from dozens of marinas

  • There will be boat dealership reps available to help you purchase and finance a new boat

  • Beer and wine tastings are held daily

“It’s a very orchestrated move in,” Heimes said. “It’s controlled chaos we call it.” 

The boating biz was booming the last couple of years. Staycations were it and boats sold out. Heimes says inventory is back and dozens of local marinas are at the show to help get you boating this spring.

“Now we are back in full swing,” Heimes said. “All the dealers have product. It’s all rolling in as you can see here. People are taking recreation very, very seriously in New York state and we are here to make your dreams happen.”

The boat show has boats of all sizes and price points. There are boats for water sports, cruising or hitting the waves.

“We always tell everybody that you could have a boat for the whole season and share memories with all your family your friends for the same amount it’s going to take to go to Disney or Hawaii for a week or 10 days,” Heimes said. “You can stretch your payment out for 15 to 20 years, so it’s very, very affordable.”

The Rochester Boat Show is open Thursday through Sunday. Admission is $7 for adults and $5 for seniors. Kids 12 and under get in free.