Chicago outdoors: Chicago Boat Show & opening night

A nice quip from Paul Onischuk on pontoons and a few notes come after a quick spin through the Progressive Insurance Chicago Boat, Sports & RV Show on opening night Thursday at McCormick Place North.

Pontoons dominated the show and Onischuk, an Arlington Hieghts man, caught it well when he looked at one of the bigger ones and said, “It looks like a living room on the water.”

The show, which is bigger than recent years, runs through Monday because of Martin Luther King Day.

Boat shows by the National Marine Manufactures Association, of which the Chicago Boat Show is one, often feature roll-outs or newer models.

One of the two Ranger VS1780 Aluminum Deep V boats built so far is in the Ranger booth. It is Ranger’s venture into less-expensive aluminum boats.

“Muskie guys are eating up the rod storage,” said Rich Komar, explaining the rod lockers hold 8-6 rods.

On the RV side, the Little Guy myPod caught my eye. For something so basic as sleeping one, it has all the comforts of home, down to all the electronics of your living room.

On the opposite end of the Little Guy was the Queen of the Show: the Eagle Premier by Jayco at Rick’s RV booth.

It is one of those things you simply have to see to fully appreciate. It is more opulent than our house.

Such are the joys of the Boat Show.