Miami Boat show, is it worth it?
 

With the miami boat show coming up in feb, I was wondering how good it is. My brother just graduated college recently and hasn't taken a job yet, so this may be the last time for a while when we both have some free time to take a trip/ vacation. He shares my passion for boats, and helped me quite a bit with my previous boats. Up where we are in NC all you can find are center console fishing boats, so seeing a performance boat is rare.

The show lasts a few days, is there enough stuff to see over those days or can you see everything in just one day?

Also, are there any vendors or people that offer a ride in a fast boat? Fastest i've had my boat was 50, and with my expenses right now it will be a few years till I can afford more speed.

I usually go all 5 days, the convention center will take 2 days if you look at everything, then you have the yachts on collins ave, lots of boats and gold diggers to check out, and then there are the boats in the water at the Marriott (Mariott?), If you love boats and boat stuff and checking out all the talent walking around it is worth it. My favorite event of the year!

A couple of years ago I went for a ride on an MTI 108MPH, another year an Invincible CC with trip 350's we only went 75MPH, the go fast rides are not so easy to come by, the best way is to talk to people at the convention center and get an invite for whatever boat they have in the water.

Totally worth it!

Ao much fun with the ahow as well as South Beach it's self. Plenty to do and see. To really see all of the show you need 2 day. We do one FULL day but we skip a lot here and there but get more than enough in.

We stay down thurs - sunday and just enjoy the show, party, and people. As was said a ride will be tough to come by. The Marriott would be your best shot but honestly it's not needed, just more of an icing on the cake if you get lucky to get on one.

Show can easily take 2 days (3rd if you spend a lot of time looking at the details or talking) between the outdoor, indoor and on water parts. This is NOT your average boat show, this is the SEMA of shows. We spent two days, my wife was entertained and she is not even that interested in boats let alone boat shows.
Like any show, if you can go before the weekend, the crowds are less and salesmen more willing to talk.

The big boats at the on water portion as well as the separate yacht show are awsome. We walked the docks but didnt go on many. I felt like, I would not take a tours of mulit million dollar homes I had no intention of buying, why yachts. A couple were practically begging and pulling us to come on board so we checked out a couple and talked a little game but let them know we are minor league material.

You might get an on water demo but remember they are pretty busy and if you are talking a performance boat, you better be talkiing up the cash to justify a ride. Its a show to sell boats, not a carnival ride.
There are some sight seeing power boat services you can google.

boat show? i did not know people actually went to the show, I thought the show was an excuse to be in miami to go to south beach and the strip bars.

+1 :evilb::evilb:

To answer the question of is it worth it....YES, but bring plenty of $$$$ :D

Yes, do it at least once if you can swing it. It ain't cheap but worth every penny.

You can get ANYTHING you want there except a parking spot.

yes, go to the show !

will OSO have a after party this year ? :D Where is it ?

Ain't that the truth.


Last ywar I got fed up and valeted on S.B. guy says ”$80 and I leave it curb side”. I say no.....the garage is fine........then the dude moves it in front of another club curb side and never takes it to the garage.



Thanks for trying to pocket my $80 mofo.

Were going to the Cleveland boat show this weekend, really just to have drinks with friends there. Nothing compares to the Miami show. Miami show can't come soon enough.

:drink: this weekend outta be interesting. lmfao

The other side of the coin...as expected....
 

Maybe I'm just getting too old....

The twelve consecutive that I attended were just south of suck. The ONLY year I came away with something other than a hangover was when they had an exhibition and a blacksmith and olde world craftsman made a skiff from raw material.

Albeit, I have never been as a spectator. Always for work. My perspective allows me the opinion that anything at the show can be caught in the days that immediately follow.

SEMA was mentioned....NOW THAT IS A SHOW! Really! And since 2005, there has been an increasing prescence of off shore! CES ((just finished) is another, and the bonus there is that it coincides with AVN awards (porn).....and Ron Jeremy pulled me into the parade 2 hrs runnin.....(no details to follow):eekdrop:

I understand a brothers bond, and I think the financial investment (not to mention the hassle) is better spent on a brothers excursion. You both have a love and passion for boats....and more so off shore, so find a coastal location in the warm and rent one for a day...or half day. I'm not pitching you....she's down right now, but I rent my 38 twin with top of 68 for 1k per day. I did the research and this is competitive

The other side of the coin...as expected....
 

Maybe I'm just getting too old....

The twelve consecutive that I attended were just south of suck. The ONLY year I came away with something other than a hangover was when they had an exhibition and a blacksmith and olde world craftsman made a skiff from raw material.

Albeit, I have never been as a spectator. Always for work. My perspective allows me the opinion that anything at the show can be caught in the days that immediately follow.

SEMA was mentioned....NOW THAT IS A SHOW! Really! And since 2005, there has been an increasing prescence of off shore! CES ((just finished) is another, and the bonus there is that it coincides with AVN awards (porn).....and Ron Jeremy pulled me into the parade 2 hrs runnin.....(no details to follow):eekdrop:

I understand a brothers bond, and I think the financial investment (not to mention the hassle) is better spent on a brothers excursion. You both have a love and passion for boats....and more so off shore, so find a coastal location in the warm and rent one for a day...or half day. I'm not pitching you....she's down right now, but I rent my 38 twin with top of 68 for 1k per day. I did the research and this is competitive

well I just booked the hotel! Any recommendations for a good bar to get drinks at afterwards?
Also, this will be the first time in miami...any other spots I should check out while I'm down there?

I've worked the show and attended as a customer.
 

As a customer I've done it twice and both times hustling through it in one day and only seeing maybe 50% of what would interest me.

As a rep......, stayed on the beach, by myself and was totally unprepared :cartman: Was getting hit on by hotties just looking for a place to stay for the night and were willing to barter for said services :whistle:

Id the OSO party is still on that is a cant miss.


Plenty of good places though, kinda of something for everyone. Juat depends what kind of scene you enjoy.

Has anyone been to the Cleveland show yet? I think I saw on the news that there was a Baja 405 there. I don't know about anything else. Last year was desolate. Hoping there's more to see this year (in the world off Offshore).

It's pretty cool and laid back. They sell beer so it's half looking and half hang out BS fest. It's a great guys trip.

I went once in 2003. I saw everything "performance and in water" boats I wanted to see in a day. I won't ever do it again. Now the poker run to Islamarada a define yes. My .02 cents.

Going to suck but they have a bar.

The home show is going on at the same time. So the boat show will have 10 bars and 6 boats. So if i get there at 5 PM, i should be drunk by 8 PM.

I've never been to the miami show, but I think it would be worth it, and a great time. checking out all the new and high end product would be cool. It's on my list, hopefully next year. Cleveland I have been to but its been years, i've heard its really gone downhill though.