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I live in the Tampa FL area and usually go to the local show every year, ours is next weekend. Right now I am "in between boats" as many have said, I will probably be purchasing next year depending on how the economy looks. There is a show in Ft. Lauderdale at the end of October, I was talking with my wife about going there for the weekend. Its about a 4 hr drive according to map quest and there is a brand of boats that I would like to look at that do not attend our local show. Since i'm not ready to buy yet, its not that big a deal if I don't go to this one. I'm just wondering from some of you that may have attended this show, is it worth the drive for or are there better shows that I should wait for, like Miami or others?
Yes geat show. lots of good stuff to look at. well worth the drive Try to get a room close to the event traffic is a little bit of a nightmare. I should be there with the owners 61' Viking she is for sale is you are interested
__________________ Walk softly and carry a big fish.
What type of boat are you interested in. I went last year and didn't really care for the show that was away from the Convention Center. They were mostly large way out of my league boats.
I mainly want to look at the World Cats, there is dealer not far from me but they only have one boat on their lot. This dealer also left a bad impression with me after having them do a repair on my last boat and basically felt ripped off ($450.00 to change 2 fuses). In addition I doubt I will buy a new boat but I would like to get a hands on feel of the different layout of each model as well features etc... I don't think its fair to go look at a used boat from a private seller just for the purpose of looking. In addition, I would just like to go to a big show and generally like being around all the shiny fiberglass and looking at new stuff on the market and going to a couple seminars. Not really interested in looking at the larger boats, I don't mind strolling the docks, looking at some beautiful boats and hanging out by the water but I would not want to spend all day doing that. Also thought the wife and I could make it a long weekend without the kids and do a couple days at the show then maybe a couple at the beach, just not sure if its worth the time to go down there.
That part of the Ft Lauderdale show located at the Bahia Mar marina has a reputation of, well, in addition to a lot of boats, electronics, and fishing stuff, there always seems to be a lot of surgically enhanced women walking around with their benefactor's.
It is a great show, lots of fun and tons of stuff to see, it is spread out in a few locations so someone who says they didn't like it probably did not take the great water taxi to shuttle to the other locations.
IMHO The local "talent" that usually attends the Ft Lauderdale show makes the trip worth while. Same can be said for the Miami, although Miami tends to attract a little more exotic chics.
For me, next to Miami, it is the one. Very good show, even though as Schmaltz says, it's not as huge as in the past (neither is Miami or probably any other either) it is still a good time. And lots of places in the area for you and the wife to beach and eat/party at night, if you want to.
If you are looking at BIG fishing boats, traditionally Ft. Lauderdale has been a better show than Miami, particularly because the new and brokerage boats are pretty much all at Bahia Mar and Hall of Fame marinas, whereas the in water stuff at Miami is spread out to hell and back. In the past, you have had to go to the Marriott on the mainland for the in water power boats, up Collins for the brokerage show and down to Miami Beach Marina for the sailboat in water show. Miami's strong point has always been the out of water displays at the Convention Center IMO. Miami just doesn't have the high concentration of dock space in the immediate area like Ft. Lauderdale does. With that said, I must say that I have spent very little time at the Convention Center during the Ft. Lauderdale show. I save that for Miami. Short answer is that you should make the pilgrimage to both shows at least once in your life.
If World Cat will be in Miami and you are not going to both shows, then wait for Miami.
If World Cat will not be in Miami, then definely go to FT Lauderdale as it is a great show. I like Miami better, but you want to see a particular line and so that weighs in.
Being so close, I will go to both!
__________________ 1999 Hydra-Sports 230CC, 2009 E-Tec 250 HP
I don't think its fair to go look at a used boat from a private seller just for the purpose of looking.
I think if you call the person selling and explain to tham that you would like to come by at whatever time would be good for them. Just tell them what you would like to do and a lot of times they will tell you the good and the bad about the boat.
__________________ Walk softly and carry a big fish.
If you are looking at BIG fishing boats, traditionally Ft. Lauderdale has been a better show than Miami, particularly because the new and brokerage boats are pretty much all at Bahia Mar and Hall of Fame marinas, whereas the in water stuff at Miami is spread out to hell and back. In the past, you have had to go to the Marriott on the mainland for the in water power boats, up Collins for the brokerage show and down to Miami Beach Marina for the sailboat in water show. Miami's strong point has always been the out of water displays at the Convention Center IMO. Miami just doesn't have the high concentration of dock space in the immediate area like Ft. Lauderdale does. With that said, I must say that I have spent very little time at the Convention Center during the Ft. Lauderdale show. I save that for Miami. Short answer is that you should make the pilgrimage to both shows at least once in your life.
GO TO MIAMI.Then you can test ride a worldcat with no obligation.Contact Pete Peterson and tell him you want aride, you may even get tickets!
True. The good thing about Miami is if your target boat is in the water at the Marriott, then test rides are usually available at least on the bay in my experience. You aren't going to get a feel for the boat putting around the Intercoastal in Lauderdale. LOL
Thanks for your inputs. I was going over your thoughts with my wife who is never quite as enthused about hitting the shows as I am. I showed her the dates of the Lauderdale show and she shut me down, its during Halloween, all my kids are still elementary age and she says no way she was going to miss trick or treating..?!! I even mentioned the eye candy that some of you mentioned but she was not persuaded. So it looks like Miami. I checked their web site and that show isn't till February.
Has the St. Pete show gone ''down hill' or do they still hold it in November or the first of December?? Haven't been in 10 years but it was good then.
If you go to ft. Lauderdale be sure to drop in next door at the Bahia Cabana Bar & Grill for some great grilled dolphin salad and sandwich.
Great scenery on the water looking right at at the boat show.
Just saw this after my other post. I have not been to the St Pete show, I usually go to the Tampa Convention Center and sometimes to the Sportsman show at the Fairgrounds.
I had contacted World Cat a few months ago about coming to the Tampa shows and they said it was too expensive and attendance has dwindled over the years. Seems like they are leaving out a big section of the market by not making a presence in the Tampa area, especially since they have a dealer here
Is Ft Lauderdale Show worth the drive? 
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I'm going! 
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