If you're a speed junkie, you've got to love boats. And if you love boats, you have to (at least once in your life) attend the Miami International Boat Show in Miami, Florida. There's just about nothing you won't find there that doesn't overwhelm you. The promoters say it is the world's greatest consumer marine exhibition, and we'd have to say the five-day event (with more than 2,600 exhibitors and more than 150,000 attendees) more than lives up to the billing. The most expensive boat at the show was listed at $5 million, and the largest powerboat was 83-feet long.
While you can find everything from a pontoon boat to an 80+ foot yacht, the real reason to go is, all the heavy hitters are there with their powerboats. If you think your region has a lock on quality and fit/finish, it can be an eye-opener to wander around this show. There is no substitute for seeing an Outerlimits boat in person, or gawking at the fine detail of a Cigarette, or marveling at the power options in an MTI. There are many more companies you will want to inspect up close. Trust us, you just have to be there to experience it.
The show is not only held at the Miami Beach Convention Center, but there are also the huge yachts at the Strictly Sail portion at the Sea Isle Marina & Yachting Center. (Plus sailboats at the Miamarina at Bayside, but really, who cares about sailboats?) It seems like hundreds of seminars run all week long like an endless loop. Want to get some tips on fishing? Here's the expert. Need to learn how to tie lines? Go to the seminar.
You definitely will want more than one day to check everything out, so make a vacation out of it...we did.