This week, Susan of Orlando, Florida, asks, "I'm new to boating and have heard several people talk about the big Miami International Boat Show. I would be interested in possibly making a weekend of the show. Can you tell me where and when it is?"
A: The Miami International Boat Show is February 12 to 16 in Miami Beach. It is largely considered the premier boat show in the entire world! People come from all over the globe. It's very easy to spend an entire weekend there, not only shopping but also enjoying the many boating lifestyle activities associated with the event. At the Miami show, you'll see thousands of boats, both in-water and on land, and find every marine and boating-related accessory imaginable. And there's a plethora of show features to enjoy, including two of my favorites: The Big Game Room and demo boat rides.
At the show, you can see a 50-foot yacht, a 10-foot inflatable, and most everything in between. You can see both power and sailboats. As a matter of fact, the show is so big, there's a shuttle service running from one end to the other. And depending on your walking speed, it's a safe bet you won't be able to see it all in just two days.
I recently met a boating couple in Milwaukee who told me they plan a vacation to Miami during the boat show every year. They find it to be a great way to see the newest boats from around the world, and all the boating accessories their hearts desire. Last year, I convinced my sister and brother-in-law to visit the show for a getaway trip from Baton Rouge, Louisiana. They had a blast! This year they booked a hotel right next to the Miami Beach Convention Center (see above), home to a large portion of the show, and are spending the entire five days at the show.
The Miami International Boat Show is a great place to buy a boat, but it is also much more than that. I suggest you definitely reserve that weekend in February if you're considering going – hotels fill up fast, but there are still great deals to be had. A great resource for information about all boat shows is BoatShows.com.
For all your friends and family that may be trapped in the freezing weather up North, suggest they try visiting a boat show this winter to help forget about those seasonal blues. Spend a Saturday walking around the warm show floor of a local convention center looking at boats and enjoying the boating lifestyle features that many shows provide. You can learn to shoot a bow and arrow at the St Louis Boat & Sport Show. Ride an ATV indoors at the Chicago Boat, RV and Outdoors Show. You can even learn to sail at the indoor Sailfest portion of the Baltimore Boat Show. The world's largest indoor lake is a big feature of the Toronto International Boat Show. They flood the coliseum with more than one million gallons of water and float boats right inside the building in January! Hmm"¦checking out boats while wearing Bermuda shorts, listening to beach music, and sipping on a frozen drink sounds like the ideal way to spend a cold, gray January day in Canada.
Whether you're interested in the Miami International Boat Show, Toronto, or a show somewhere in between, a weekend at a boat show is a wonderful way to cure the winter blues and enjoy a weekend with the family. After all, if I can't actually be out on the water boating, then the next best thing is to be indoors walking the aisles of a boat show.
The Boating Guy answers all kind of questions. To give it a try, visit DiscoverBoating.com. You'll receive an answer in a day or two, and who knows"¦your question and answer may just end up in this blog!
