Boat owners, builders and dealers might look back in a few years at the 2011 Minneapolis Boat Show as the beginning of the industry's latest rebound.

Boat numbers will be up 30 percent at the show from a year ago, said manager Jennifer Thompson, and major Minnesota manufacturers Lund and Crestliner will return to the show at the Minneapolis Convention Center when doors open at noon Thursday.

Lund and Crestliner are owned by Brunswick, manufacturer of Mercury Outboards, and both sat out last year's show because of the recession.

New at the show this year will be do-it-yourself boat-owner skills classes, presented by DIY Boat Owner magazine. Topics to be covered include engine maintenance, electronics installation, upholstery repair and boat cleaning.

Additionally, an exhibit by Mahogany Bay of Mound, which specializes in vintage wooden boats, will detail the history of wooden boating in America. Among craft to be displayed will be Tempo, a 44-foot hacker/Huskins built in 1936 and formerly owned by band leader Guy Lombardo.

Alumacraft, of St. Peter, Lund and Crestliner have been busy during the downturn re-designing some of their favorite aluminum fishing models -- and building new ones.

For Lund, this includes the 1775 Impact, built on its IPS hull. Similarly, Alumacraft has redesigned its Competitor series. And Ranger Boats this year is introducing a redesigned 620VS multispecies fishing boat.

Show hours are noon-9 p.m. Thursday and Friday; 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturday; and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. on Sunday.

Adult admission for ages 16 and older is $10. Kids 15 and under are free. Active service members are free with military identification.