On the lake · all six docks

News & Events

Demo days, boat shows, open houses, luaus, and live music all season long — plus the latest from the docks. Here's what's happening on the water.

What's on

This season on the water.

  • Grand Lake · Thunder Bay

    Spring Open House & Demo Day

    Spring 2026

    Walk the docks, tour the new lineup, and take demo boats out on the water with our team.

    Event info & RSVP →
  • Grand Lake · Thunder Bay

    Summer Luau at Ugly's Grill & Bar

    Summer 2026

    Live music, food off the grill, and the whole dock turned out. A Thunder Bay tradition.

    Event info & RSVP →
  • Grand Lake · Thunder Bay

    Saturday Nights on the Water

    Memorial Day – Labor Day

    Live music and karaoke at the 43-foot bar all season long. Pull up by boat.

    Event info & RSVP →
  • Beaver Lake · Rogers, AR

    Beaver Lake Demo Days

    Early summer 2026

    Test-drive wake boats and pontoons off the Rocky Branch and Prairie Creek docks.

    Event info & RSVP →
  • Lake Eufaula

    Eufaula Shrimp Boil

    Mid-summer 2026

    A low-country boil on the dock with the Eufaula crew. Bring the family.

    Event info & RSVP →
  • Carlton Landing Marina

    Pontoon Rental Weekends

    All season

    Rent by the day at Carlton Landing — and put it toward a purchase with rent-to-buy.

    Event info & RSVP →
  • Tulsa · Catoosa

    Tulsa Spring Boat Show

    Spring 2026

    See the new lineup at the Catoosa showroom before the season starts.

    Event info & RSVP →
  • Grand Lake · Thunder Bay

    Movie Night on the Dock

    Summer weekends

    Outdoor movies for the kids and the whole marina family after sunset.

    Event info & RSVP →

Dates are seasonal until the live calendar is wired — the full schedule is maintained by the Ugly Johns team. Call your dock for exact dates.

Press & features

As seen & heard.

Oral history

Voices of Oklahoma

John Erling's oral-history project sits down with the family for the full story — the childhood, the nickname, the lake. (Interview coming soon.)

As seen on TV

Gas Monkey Garage

Richard Rawlings and the Gas Monkey crew toured Ugly John's private classic-car collection — race heritage on dry land.

1974–1986

The racing years

Three national speed records, two national championships, and a world championship before he ever sold a boat.

Come see us on the water.

Whatever's on the calendar, the dock crew will be there. Schedule a visit at the location closest to you.

Schedule a Visit Find your dock