As I write these words, it is dark, cold, and snowing. But in just a few more hours, I will be on a Southwest Airlines 737 winging my way south to cover one of the granddaddy boat shows: the Miami International Boat Show and Strictly Sail. Oh, and since two big shows in one just isn't enough, let's add the annual Yacht and Brokerage Show, too. That gives us three great shows in four venues, and I'll be covering it live here on Ocean Lines.

Each morning you can sit with your cuppa and enjoy a highlights from the show, and during the day I will file updates on some of the new products and services being showcased. We'll show you some new boats, new gear and electronics, new motors and generators and some absolutely gee-whiz stuff. No need to wait a couple of months for it to arrive in the mailbox.

Coverage starts with Wednesday's preview story, which should get your winterized boating juices flowing again and whet your appetite for realtime reports from the show. So, stop back here several times each day for the new updates and let us know what you think. I promise that all comments will be responded to and if there's something in particular you're hoping to hear about or see, let us know and we'll do our best.

And if you're one of the 139,999 other people going to the show? Well, I'll see you there; maybe even at the Mad Mariner booth in the Convention Center (number 1916, right next to BoatUS).