For the fabulously and extremely wealthy (not us), there is no boat show like the Miami International Boat Show. Flashy gel schemes and serious power hardware grab our eyes, and for us, it was like being a kid in a candy store. The ol' bank account just shudders when we see goodies like these: wall-to-wall boats and accessories including runabouts, sport boats, cruisers, personal watercraft, jet boats, luxury yachts, and high-performance boats-all available for enjoyment. Everything from 15 to 75 feet was ready to board and buy.
The National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA), the principal trade association of the recreational marine industry, produces the Miami International Boat show. NMMA members produce approximately 80 percent of the marine products sold in the United States, and the North American pleasure-boat market represents half of the global demand for these products. Just a small amount? Hardly. Retail sales of boats and boat-related products amount to an estimated $25 billion annually in the United States alone. With three fabulous locations and more than 2-1/2 million square feet of exhibition space, the Miami Boat Show is where you want to be if you can keep from soiling yourself while laughing with glee.