Trade or Sell Your Boat at the Lake County Fall Boat Show
The Lake County Fall Boat Show is northern Illinois’ end-of-season boat event — and that makes it the best time and place to move your current boat. Participating dealers and buyers are onsite at the Lake County Fairgrounds in Grayslake on September 26–27, 2026, evaluating trade-ins and making purchase offers next to the very boats you might trade toward.
Get My Boat EvaluatedHow the Trade-In Process Works
Tell us about your boat
Submit your boat's details ahead of time — make, model, year, motor hours, condition and a few photos. It takes about ten minutes and locks in your spot for a show-weekend evaluation.
Bring it to the show
Drive your boat and trailer to the Lake County Fairgrounds on your preferred day — Saturday, September 26 or Sunday, September 27, 2026. Onsite parking is free.
Get an onsite evaluation
Participating dealers and buyers walk the boat with you: exterior, interior, motor, trailer and serial numbers. You get a written evaluation with an estimated trade value and purchase offer where applicable.
Trade toward a new boat — or just sell
Apply your trade-in value toward a new boat on the show floor the same weekend, or take the offer and walk away. Either way, there's no obligation.
Why Fall Trade-In Values Work in Your Favor
Dealers head into winter wanting used inventory ready for spring buyers, so the fall show is when trade-in conversations happen with real intent. You can compare evaluations from multiple participating dealers in a single weekend instead of collecting one lowball offer at a time.
- Multiple dealers and buyers evaluating in one place, both days
- Apply your trade value toward show-weekend closeout pricing on a new boat
- Open to selling outright? Buyers make purchase offers onsite too
Trade Now, Store for Free
Trading at the show can eliminate a full season of carrying costs: select exhibitors offer free winter storage with qualifying purchases, and trading your current boat in the fall means you’re not paying to store and winterize two boats through the off-season.
Get My Boat Evaluated
Submit your boat's details before the show and lock in your evaluation spot. Bring your boat to the Lake County Fairgrounds either day — admission and parking are free.