The weekend before Election Day, buyers, sellers and boating enthusiasts of all stripes gather in Fort Lauderdale for five days of the world’s largest in-water boat show.
The $4 billion worth of luxury products includes an eye-popping display of the most expensive toys in the world: an Airbus 135 personal helicopter parked aboard superyacht support vessel, Fast & Furious; personal submarines like the Triton 1650/3 LP and 3300/MK II; SEABOB luxury diver propulsion vehicles; the most expensive cars; and yachts over 200 feet, like the Galactica Super Nova, which only qualified buyers can board.
Many with price tags that only the über-wealthy can afford, the number of superyachts at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show® is greater than ever in its 57-year history, with 124 of these luxurious vessels over 100 feet, 17 over 175 feet, and eight measuring 200 feet or more.
For five days from November 3-7, about 100,000 people are expected to visit the show’s seven locations, linked by a network of land and water transportation. Nearly 1,500 boats are displayed across more than 3 million square feet of exhibit space and 1,000 exhibitors from 30 countries comprise an amazing display ranging from astonishing super-yachts, fishing boats, runabouts and boats for every budget, to fishing gear, marine art, jewelry and accessories.
New this year are boat handling skills courses by professional, certified, USCG-licensed captains. Instruction for first-time boaters and seasoned skippers alike includes basic and advanced docking, anchoring and multi-vessel rafting techniques, open water boat handling and first mate skills.
The Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show is owned and presented by the Marine Industries Association of South Florida, managed and produced by Show Management and sponsored by Audi, Bank of America, Gosling’s, International Gamefish Association (IGFA), Smallwood’s Yachtwear and Taiwan Excellence.
