All Aboard! The Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show Is Underway
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MIAMI (CBSMiami) - The 57th annual Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show is underway and open to the public.
If you're into boats, canoes, kayaks or just about anything that floats this weekend is for you.
Tickets run you about $28 a day or two days for $46.
There are six show sites but the main areas are housed in the Broward County Convention Center, and the Bahia Mar Yacht Club which features seven air-conditioned tents full of marine products, electronics, yacht builders and designers, engine makers, and more. Those who go to the show can use free shuttle buses to get to all of the sites. Click here for where to park.
This year's show features 1,500 boats and about 1,000 exhibitors from more than 30 countries.
New this year, the space at the Bahia Mar location has been reconfigured and rebranded as the American Pavilion. The yacht-specific exhibit space will house 40 "made-in-America" companies.
Also new, first-time skippers can improve their boat handling skills at courses sponsored by Carefree Boat Club. Instruction includes basic and advanced docking skills, anchoring and multi-vessel rafting techniques, open water boat handling, first mate skills and more.
Catamaran Cove returns to the show's Pier 66 Marina location, back by popular demand. This dedicated catamaran section, which was met with great enthusiasm at the 2015 show, will feature approximately 20 catamarans, both power and sail, ranging in size from 35 to 95 feet from manufacturers including Gemini, Horizon, Lagoon, Leopard and Sunreef.
Boat dealers at the show this year said they're optimistic about business based on sales trends so far this year.
The Marine Industries Association of South Florida and Show Management, which owns and runs the show, says last year it generated more than half a billion dollars in revenue for South Florida businesses and a whopping $857 million to the overall economy of Florida.
Click here for more information on the 57th annual Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show.