When the winter doldrums have got you down, it is time to head south for some warmer weather and the Miami Boat Show. Hunting season is over and offshore bite is slow, so most of us are going stir crazy waiting for spring.
This years show will host more than 2300 of the worlds leading marine industry manufactures. They will be displaying the newest boats, engines, and related accessories. The Miami Boat Show is the largest show of its kind. In fact the show is so large that it is subdivided into three main sections: Strictly Sail, Convention Center, and On the Water. The Strictly Sail is pretty obvious, sailboats and anything related to sailboats, and is located at Miamarina at Bayside. The Miami Beach Convention Center will house just about everything in the marine industry from diesel engines to lures. The center will be packed with booths, boats, seminars and exhibits. The Sealine Marine and Yachting Center will host the inwater brokerage and new larger boat lines.
If you have never been to the Miami Boat Show, it is a must see for any boater. Some highlights of this years show are: Simulator fishing tournament for all attendees, picture contest for “Discover Boating”, and the Block Party Friday the 18th on Convention Center Dr. Just remember that parking and hotel rooms are hard to come by. Make reservations as early as possible, and use the shuttle bus for parking. General tickets are $15 and for the Thursday premiere $25. You can park in a lot on Biscayne Bay Blvd for $10 per day and take the free shuttle. You can not go without at least one night on the town in South Beach. You can expect to see loads of beautiful people, and more weird ones the you can count, and do not be surprised when the bartender asks you for $14 for a Beam and ginger. Go there and enjoy a good time and some warm weather.
Tight lines,
Captain John Ward