Just got back from the Ft Lauderdale boat show. I understand that it was the largest in the world but I was wondering how the Miami show stacks up against it for us performance boaters.

Anyone been to both? Is it worth the trip?

The biggest difference in my mind, is in Miami, all the boats are on land.....most indoors. All the same builders are their as in Ft. Lauderdale, but I prefer to have the boats in the water.......

There are more vendors for performance at the Miami show. Ex: Doller, CP Performance, Gaffrig, Cobra Power, Etc. I was told by a dealer that did not participate in the FTL show that the fees were so outrageous that they opted to not attend. They had an open house and served breakfast, lunch, gave tours, gave away stuff and had door prize drawings. .

Thanks guys.

It looks like I will have to go and check it out. Now all I need is those $39 air fares.

I am driving down to the Worlds in Key West in two weeks (1500 miles). Hope they don't cancel the races!

Been to both but it's been several years. Allways liked the Lauderdale show because the boats were floating. The Miami show does have more vendor booths and some great deals on parts. I'm going to try to make it to the Miami show.

The Miami Show is by far more geared to the Performace Boating crowd and even though the mega yachts are nice to see they put them at a location by themselves aswell as the sailboats like lauderdale. I also think Miami is the largest but thats not the debate. Miami = Performance, Craig

ps: plus at Miami if you are a serious contender you can RIDE.

Does someone know the dates for the Miama boat show ?

It's the second week in Feb. (13th thru 17 ?)

All the boats are NOT on land in Miami, The Marriott Biscane has tons of boats in the water and on the "Mercury Dock"
you wont beleive the performance boats that you can ride on if you are lucky. I have been driving them there since 1998.

FINALLY!! somebody addresseed the most important point....