BOATERS BLOG
The 58th annual Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show launched on November 1st and ran until November 5th. The show spanned seven locations and had more than 1,200 boats on display in the water and 400 on land. With this many locations, there were many great things to see, and many exciting things to do!
There was a $4 billion inventory display this year. There was something for everyone! Sport fishers, center consoles, cabin cruisers, etc. Cobia introduced two new models (320 and 301). Century introduced several updates to the 3200. Dusky is entering the bay boat market with the 242 Bay Boat. Also on display was a $29,950,000 superyacht; complete with an exercise area, jacuzzi, a sun deck which can also serve as a helipad, and a garage area to hold even more water toys!
Dusky 242 Bay Boat
Visitors were able to see many different classes, seminars and demos. Some of the favorites from the attendees were Basic Docking Skills and Open Water Boat Handling Skills. All sessions were taught by USCG licensed captains. Live paddleboard, kayak, and hovercraft demos were held outside of the Broward County Convention Center (Fort Lauderdale Convention Center) in a 15,000 gallon pool. Inside, the Marine ArtDisplay room featured art pieces for everyone ranging from high-end works of art, to underwater photography, to whimsical pieces.
The annual show also enjoyed not only the effects of a growing economy, but also received a further boost in sales due to storm-related losses. Customers were choosing to sell their storm damaged boats and buying new. Boaters who lost their vessels to hurricanes lifted sales at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat show. They also helped lift the spirits of boat owners everywhere to remind us all that not even a powerful storm will keep us away.
