Miami Boat Show
 

Anyone from the Lakes Region attending the Miami Boat Show in a couple weeks??

I have never been personally so I decided to take a mini vacation and head down to see what it’s all about. Not in the market for anything, at least not yet :D, but they are advertising 1400 in water boats which sounds unreal!

Any tips from previous show goer’s would be appreciated!

Dan

Went last year. Highly recommend going on Premier day and taking the water taxi over. Don't mess with trying to drive in. I think we parked near the Hyatt Regency.

You will have much less crowds during Premier day.

Thanks RaZoR!

Yes we plan on taking the water taxi and are staying at the hotel (Intercontinental) where it leaves from. Premier day is already on the list!!

Dan

It’s been a couple of years since I’ve been, incredible show, albeit a bit intimidating! Lots to see out of the water too, everything you could imagine and then some, plan on a very busy day. Have fun, I’m jealous.

Call the vendor and make an appointment to see some boats. Many are by appointment only.

Have fun Dan!! I'll be down for a conference;) first part of March. Please leave some good weather!

I'm afraid to do that as I may ending up coming home with something!!:eek:

And the down side to that is....?

Thanks Vita!

Weather should be great there for your trip in March!

Dan

Stick to 100 footers. Too big for the lake. And you'll need some sort of southern place to stay when you retire, anyway. Charter it and take advantage of the BIG depreciation.

We spent yesterday and today at the Miami Boat Show and must say we were completely overwhelmed. It is absolutely HUGE and there is so much to see!! Everything imaginable related to boating is here except pontoons. They advertised 1400 in water boats and just as many out of the water. Everything from small rib inflatables to the most expensive 100’ yachts are here for you to see and feel!

We both fell in love with a Minorca 42 islander with fly bridge. Built in Spain with real old world craftsmanship and attention to detail. A real piece of art at a great show special price of $748,000.00. It didn’t come with a trailer so I had to pass!:D:D

Coming back down to reality I really really like the Ranger Tug line of boats. Very nicely made and nice looking as well! Definitely the perfect island boat!

Black fin had a very impressive 27’ center console with dual 200 Verado’s on it that we also liked. It was priced right compared to others and looked like a real quality build.

Speaking of center consoles, the boat market is definitely pushing these hard! By far the most dominant type of boat shown here, nothing else came close! Big and long at 55’or 60’ with multiple big outboards.

Another boat we fell in love with was a Chris Craft Launch 27’. What a beautiful boat and not priced ridiculously. I can see one of these being added to the fleet when I sell one of my others off...maybe next year...

All in All a fantastic show and really glad I came. There is just so much to see and it is very overwhelming. You could easily spend 4 days here and not see everything!

I’ll try and post some pics below...

Dam

I love those Ranger tugs as well. Center console builders finally realized that most fisherman have family's, One boat can do the same as two. I honestly think the the family friendly versions will push some potential pontoon shoppers to take a look at a center console. I'd love to go down there.

You have good taste! All beauties! Alas, I’ll have to stick with my measly, tritoon for a few more years! ;)

Here’s a couple pics of those big Center consoles I was talking about. By far the most shown boat at the show....

Miami Skyline
 

The Miami skyline is stunning from the water especially at night!....

Nothing wrong or measly with a tri-toon Hill! I have one and love it!!

There is just something about old world craftsmanship with wood that some of the overseas manufacturers are still building and to a lesser extent Chriscraft, that just tugs at me...and my wallet!

Dan

2,000 HP, life is good! That looks like something that should be in a cartoon and yet I admit I'd love a ride. The lake will need to soften up a bit first... Thanks for sharing, looks like great fun.

Any idea how much fuel these 4 or 5 outboards will burn /hour.
My 37' Egg Harbor with 350 hp Crusaders got 1 mile/gallon. So with 404 gal. of fuel figure on 320-350 miles to look for the fuel dock.

At WOT, each outboard burns about 30 gallons of fuel per hour....at cruising speed much less, maybe about 1/3rd of that.

Dan

Yeah, those center consoles are a little different than what I had in mind. Spectacular!

Thanks for the input/update on the MIA Show, Dan. I've done FLL which is 10/31 +/- in the fall and it's a great event.
You never know you need a new boat until wifey says " What a great galley" or "Did you see how big that swim platform was? "Great placement of the down riggers never seems to come up. (I'm not a down rigger fisherman, did I miss it?)

On TheHulltruth.com there are probably several threads for this event. In the Regional Section/Northeast Region you may be able to find other boaters from New England who are attending.

THT used to ave a booth there also but I don't know if they still do.

Enjoy!

There must be an incredible amount of engineering that went into the transom design and materials used of those boats that are sporting 4-5 outboard motors putting out that kind of HP. Pretty crazy!

Nice pics!

I agree! There was actually one boat that had 5 Seven Marine 627 HP outboards hanging off the back. I wish I had a pic of it! Just crazy!

Dan

Did you seatrial the 92 Viking? :) I still don't understand the outboard cc trend. I mean I do, and I don't.