What is the Best Boat Show to attend?

[TexasTwo]

What is the best boat show to attend? I have read that the boat show">Miami Boat show just about covers it all, where you can see lots of boats in a short period of time. We want to look at sail boats, Live aboard and probably a cat.

Thanks for your input
Tom

[Tingum]

It is a BIG show. It takes time to get around. Suggestion; work with one broker and have him schedule appointments to view the boats you are interested in. Also consider The Annapolis Sailboat show, which separates sail and power into different shows. Again a knowledgable broker will get you much better treatment than just showing up without an appointment.

[ohdrinkboy]

I'm partial to the Annapolis show. I've missed 1 in the last 20 years.

A show is a great way to see what is out there and get ideas. However, you will not get a look into past models which is a much bigger market. A good way to start for used boats is Yachtworld.com.

[Waterway Guide]

1) Annapolis Sailboat Show 2) Miami Boat Show. Both have a lot of cruising sailboats...Annapolis is much easier to get around, I think. I'll probably be at both...see you there!

[speciald@ocens.]

The Miami show has the most toys - new electronics appear there first. The Annapolis show has more sailboats. They have one dock with nothing but cats. There is also an out-of-the show show with used boats and brokers. You might want to speak with Moorings/Sunsail at the Annaplois show as they rotate cats out of charter each year and have their own brokerage.

[CarlF]

The Miami show is mostly powerboats (I would guess 90%+ power). For the last few years sailboats (and sailboat equipment) have been stuck in a corner. One year, they located the sailboat show on the wrong side of a 53' high bridge. The larger sailboats ran their own little show that year. After the recession, a lot of sailboat builders decided they couldn't afford to go to both Miami and Annapolis.

In the past few years, Miami says that they are rebuilding the sailboat show and they do attract a fair number of cats. Hopefully this year will be even better. But if you can only go to one East Coast sailboat show, I would certainly choose Annapolis.

Carl

[HopCar]

If you make it to the Miami show, stop into my booth and say hello. We'll be at the convention center with our own booth and we usually run the Gill booth at the Sailboat show.

[tbodine88]

Originally Posted by TexasTwo

What is the best boat show to attend? I have read that the Miami Boat show just about covers it all, where you can see lots of boats in a short period of time. We want to look at sail boats, Live aboard and probably a cat.

Thanks for your input
Tom

I've been to the Seattle, San Diego, Austin, and Houston Boat shows.

The best was Seattle.

[Cheechako]

I like the Annapolis show for sail,.

[Pete7]

Hop on a 747 and 6 hours later you can be looking around the Southampton Boat Show which is coming up shortly.

Do tell them your an overseas visitor before travelling, they lay the red carpet out for foreigners, locals have to queue and pay.

PSP Southampton Boat Show - Home

[Therapy]

Miami...........cause I can drive there in a few hours.

Annapolis if I thought I wanted to spend even more money.............to feel depressed.

[TexasTwo]

Hey, Thank you very much.

Now it is time to plan a trip, Oct to Annapolis and then maybe Miami in Feb.

[chef2sail]

We always sail down to the Annapolis Boat show and anchor in Back Creek. Annapolis has many varieties within brands. I primarily go to look at the vendors tents and look for deals.

Dave