Miami Boat Show? Worth the trip?

JamesT

JamesT

Active Member
Oct 7, 2013
250
Somers Point, NJ
Boat Info
2011 470 Sundancer
Engines
Cummins 480s w/ Zeus PODs
I have family near Fort Lauderdale and am thinking of coinciding a visit with Miami BS weekend. Is the show worth it? What's it like on Friday or Saturday. Crazy crowded, stay away? Or a must see, and worth the lines? Any feedback would be appreciated.
 
I flew out from California and had a blast last year! Just do it!
 
If you've never been then by all means go have a great time. I suggest anyone whom really doesn't like walking much and can't get up and go don't go with you. Do a little research before you get there so you can kind of do your float plan of how you want to cover the ground and and see what is most important to you. If you really want to see a lot and cover a lot of ground you'll probably need at least two days to not be in a hurry. Hit the in water boats that you are interested in seeing first before they get some lines then inside later in the day or day two. Don't take anyone whom will hold you up if you want to cover a lot of ground and have a great trip.
 
The Miami Boat Show is set to change pretty drastically in 2016 with an entirely new venue while the Miami Beach Convention Center is overhauled. If it's been on your list for a while and you haven't been, this would be a great year to go.
 
I went last year. Collins Ave is worth the trip alone!

Paul
 
YES!

Have attended both Miami and Fort Lauderdale. Prefer Miami show. If you are a boater, you will enjoy. Sad that I am not going this year. If you can attend you should.
 
James- what Boatguy said is spot on, lol...I may take a run down myself for Thurs/Fri, just to get in some warm air, I'm about stir crazy at this point in the winter ....
 
Absolutely it's worth seeing, but plan on several days to see it all. I spent 4 days there and wished I'd had 3 or 4 more. There are just too many things to see...boats and displays of boating related items....to see in just a couple of days.

Make good use of the shuttle busses to get around from venue to venue. Cabs are hard to find and cost a fortune because you spend a lot of time stuck in traffic.
 
Why Miami over FLIBS? I've never been to either. The only big show I've been to was Genoa. If either top that, it's a bucket list addition.
 
It's worth mentioning that it's not so much a boat show, as the boat shows...

There are 4 distinct venues:

Strictly Sail in Bayside / Miamarina in Miami: It (obviously) features sailboats and they charge admission.

Sea Isle Marina in-water in Miami: A smaller venue with a variety of new and brokered boats. Don't write it off too quickly - there's no admission fee and there's a chance of impromptu sea trials. (who can pass up a free boat ride??) Tip: walk up to a triple-engine Grady White and mention to the sales guy that the Whaler guys said they could beat 'em.... (or vice versa) :grin:

Yacht and Brokerage Show on Collins Ave Miami Beach: it's HUGE, with a mix of new and brokerage. No admission fee. It's challenging to see the whole thing in one day.

The Convention Center in Miami Beach: Indoor and outdoor displays, lots of stuff to see, particularly electronics, engines, dinghies, CC's etc. They charge admission.

Go1st is right about cabs - they're generally not a source of pride for us. Shuttles are easy, and Miami has very dense resources in Lyft and Uber, and there's still time to join Car2Go as an alternative to car rental or hiring.
 
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Thank you for all the input. This helped my decision for my Florida visit.

Sorry dear, have fun with Mickey, I'm going to the boat show ... lol
 
SeaRayCorporate said:
The Miami Boat Show is set to change pretty drastically in 2016 with an entirely new venue while the Miami Beach Convention Center is overhauled. If it's been on your list for a while and you haven't been, this would be a great year to go.
Click to expand...

And you may just run into Matt, Rusty and Mr. Tim Schiek himself. Swing by and congratulate them on their recent success!
 
We are going this year and I am counting down the days till we leave. Has anyone taken any classes on the water? I signed up for advanced docking, a 3 hour class. It wasn't too pricey and I figured it would be a nice boat ride if nothing else.
 
Thanks all for the info. OK so what is Collins Ave? Is that in-water or on land? I'm confused because the MBS website says nothing about Collins Ave.

And do you think there will be Sea Ray 50+ boats there?
 
Collins ave is a street that runs alongside a canal. In the canal they pull in docks and stack boats. From the sidewalk - some areas there are 30-40 boats out - thinner areas not as deep.

Big Manufacturers have large in water display areas.

Would guess this runs for 8-10 city blocks.

Last year we spent 2.5 days there walking and climbing all over boats. Took that long to make the entire length.
 
The Yacht and Brokerage Show is on Collins Ave. That's where Sea Ray had the big boats last year. Admission is free and there are shuttles to get you around. Parking is $20-$40 depending where you are. It's impressive!
MIBS is the other boat show happening at the same time and at the convention center this year. A more typical show with admission. Lots of accessories and attainable boats.
Depends what you're after. Spend two days and go to both.

James
 
dpmulvey said:
Why Miami over FLIBS? I've never been to either. The only big show I've been to was Genoa. If either top that, it's a bucket list addition.
Click to expand...

As someone who prefers the MIBS over the FLIBS, I'll take a stab at this: it isn't because of anything that FLIBS lacks. At the end of the day at the FLIBS, I'm exhausted and I've seen all the boats and accessories that my brain could ingest.

One of the reasons I prefer Miami is because of Day 2. I've never felt the need to return to FLIBS. I've paid to park, paid to eat and drink and to get into the show. I've pushed through crowds, waited for bathrooms fought for tables and shade. Why do it again before next year?

The Miami shows spread everything out, and that (plus free venues) allows visitors to see the shows at their own pace. The Coconut Grove Art Festival is held at the same time as the MIBS. Admirals can see the Art Fest while skippers drool over yachts and test drive Teslas and center consoles. The FLIBS seems to offer much more on-sight food options in the show itself, but Miami Beach offers Lincoln Rd pedestrian mall, Ocean Dr. and other destinations that can handle large crowds in contrast to FtL, which feels over-capacity during the show.
 
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