Matthew Harmon climbed onto a Yamaha speed boat and glanced around.

"I'll take this one,' joked Harmon, 12, of North Richland Hills, who spent much of his childhood on fishing boats.

Harmon joined thousands of North Texans this weekend at the 2013 DFW International Boat Show at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington.

The new show -which runs through Feb. 10 -features 25 North Texas boat dealers, 200 vendors and six acres of cruisers, speed boats, pontoons, recreational watercraft and boating equipment. Organizers called it the largest event of its kind ever staged in North Texas.

Hosted by Texas Rangers Enterprises and the United Boat Dealers of North Texas, the 10-day event is expected to draw some 25,000 attendees.

To accommodate the crowds, organizers built a heated 262,000-square-foot tent on Lot A at the corner of Randol Mill Road and Nolan Ryan Expressway. Free parking is available in adjacent Lot B.

Friday night, Mark Anderson of Dallas, who said he was in the market for a new boat, browsed the rows of pontoon boats. Anderson said he has long attended the boat show in Dallas, which was canceled this year, and jumped at the chance to visit the Arlington show.

"It's rare to have the opportunity to browse such a large selection, ask questions and just take it all in,' Anderson said. "The show is a good chance to see what's out there before making a big purchase.'

Texas Rangers mascot Captain and players for the Rangers will be on hand this week to sign autographs and pose for photographs.

Admission to the show is $12 for adults and $6 for children 5 to 13. Tickets may be purchased in advance or at the door. Call 817-273-5222 or go to http://texas.rangers.mlb.com/tex/fan_forum/boatshow.jsp for more information.

Remaining schedule:

3-9 p.m. Monday, Feb. 4

3-9 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 5

3-9 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 6

3-9 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 7

3-9 p.m., Friday, Feb. 8

10 a.m.-9 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 9

10 a.m.-6 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 10