Escape to the Winter Boat Shows – Part 1
Oct 10, 2024
Of course you’ll be heading to the boat shows in Vancouver, Toronto, Motreal, Moncton etc this winter. But when the north wind starts to blow across The True North, here’s a spectacular way to combines some getaway travel with your love of boats thanks to international show gurus Rightboat’s John Burnham and Samantha Wilson
We start with shows at the end of October and take you to six of the world’s best. Next issue, we will add another string of spring shows including several less famous but very interesting shows in the UK.
Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show
Where is it? Spread over 7 locations in Fort Lauderdale, Florida
When is it? October 30 – November 3, 2024
Website: www.flibs.com
Ticket prices: Preview Day (October 30) costs $70.15 for adults. All other days $46.34 for an adult, $18.40 for a child age 6-12. Children under age 6 are free.
This is the largest in-water boat show in the world, with a sprawling venue covering a whopping 278,000 square meters. You’ll find everything from luxury yachts to bowriders, sportfishing boats to catamarans, high-performance boats to inflatables, and even canoes. Plus, all the latest in gear and marine lifestyle products. The tender quay is always one of the most popular areas, with all sorts of innovative new builds on display, plus there’s a dazzling selection of VIP experiences to be enjoyed amid the laid-back beach vibe. When planning your trip to the show, there’s almost too much to choose from including the Broward County Convention Center, Bahia Mar Yachting Center, Las Olas Marina, Hall of Fame Marina, 17th Street Yacht Basin, Pier 66 Marina, and the SuperYacht Village.
Did you know? There are 1,300+ boats on display, 6 miles of floating docks, and more than $4 billion worth of boats and equipment at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show.
Boot Düsseldorf
Where is it? The show takes place at the Düsseldorf Exhibition Centre, in Düsseldorf, Germany.
When is it? January 18-26, 2025
Website: https://www.boot.com/
Ticket prices: TBC, Ticket sales will start in autumn 2024.
Renowned as the largest indoor boat show globally, the Düsseldorf Boat Show, commonly known as Boot Düsseldorf, stands out as a unique highlight on the boating calendar. Each January, it heralds the start of a new water sports season. Hosted at the Düsseldorf Exhibition Centre, this grand exhibition spans over 16 immense halls, showcasing an impressive array of boats, yachts, and marine accessories across its sprawling 2.3 million-square-foot site. Drawing maritime enthusiasts and industry professionals from around the globe, Boot Düsseldorf offers a comprehensive platform for boat builders, designers, and maritime technology innovators to showcase their latest offerings. From luxurious superyachts to nimble dinghies, the show caters to every facet of the boating world, making it a must-attend event for both seasoned sailors and newcomers alike.
Miami International Boat Show
Where is it? The show takes place at the Miami Beach Convention Center, Pride Park, Herald Plaza, Venetian Marina, Museum Park Marina, and Superyacht Miami at Yacht Haven Grande Miami.
When is it? February 12-16, 2025
Website: www.miamiboatshow.com
Ticket prices: One-day tickets are $42 for adults for an adult single-day ticket or $72 for a two-day ticket. Child tickets cost $16.
Amid the glitz and glamor of Miami, the biggest boat and yacht manufacturers from the US and across the globe showcase their newest models, creating by some measures the biggest boat show in the world. (See Miami International Boat Show, Six Shows in One) The city comes alive with all things boating as the show comes to town, and you can experience everything from the latest superyachts to the carnival-style atmosphere of the Progressive Experience in Pride Park with plenty of quirky nautical entertainment. There are culinary experiences, watersports demos, sport fishing championships, and let’s not forget the swanky after-dark parties and events.
Did you know? You can hop on water taxis to shuttle between the different event centers without getting caught in the busy city traffic.
Miami 840.jpeg Miami Boat Show photo
Dubai International Boat Show
Where is it? Dubai Canal, Jumeirah
When is it? February 19-23, 2025
Website: www.boatshowdubai.com
Ticket prices: TBC
The largest boat show in the Middle East will be home to over 500 of the world’s top superyachts and leisure craft that converge at this dazzling show. In addition to the yachts—in fact the Middle East is now home to 12.5% of all superyachts—you’ll also discover luxury and lifestyle brands from around the world showcasing their latest products. There’s an impressive line-up of entertainment, scuba taster sessions, free sailing and fishing trips, a retail village for the latest in hip nautical wear, and live music and drinks in The Beach social area.
Did you know? Because of the intense heat of the day in this desert region, the show opens in the afternoon and continues into the night.
Palm Beach International Boat Show
Where is it? Flagler Drive, West Palm Beach, Florida
When is it? March 20-23, 2025
Website: www.pbboatshow.com
Ticket prices: In 2024, they were $31 for a single day adult ticket, or $56 for a two-day ticket. Tickets for children over the age of 6 are $16.
The third major yacht show in Florida each winter, the Palm Beach International Boat Show offers more than 800 boats and 600 brands in a friendly one-venue location along Flagler Drive. There’s something for everyone at here, whether you’re in the market for new center console boats, brokerage superyachts or the latest in sportfishing gear. There are hands-on boat handling classes, fishing clinics, and watersports demonstrations in the AquaZone, as well as innovative electric and hybrid products and family-friendly activities.
Did you know? There is $1 billion worth of yachts and equipment on display at the show.
International Multihull Show
Where is it? Port de Plaisance, La Grand Motte, France
When is it? April 23-27, 2025
Website: https://www.multicoque-online.com/en/
Ticket prices: TBC
Even pre-Covid, the appetite for selling the house and getting away from it was growing at a rate faster than ever done before. A new stream of motivated, enthusiastic and media-savvy owners was emerging, keen to get from boardroom to bluewater and share their story while they were doing it. Although there had been multihulls on display at boat shows for years, most of the venues were difficult and expensive for the shipyards to get to; you only need to Google images of Parisien roads being closed in December to let 50′ cats through to the Salon Nautique to see how hard it was. What was needed was an outdoor event, in the spring, in a location where there was consistent breeze so that prospective buyers could experience the thrill of performance sailing on the level. And so the International Multihull Show was started in 2010, and La Grand Motte in the south of France was its home.
Today, this event is an absolute must-visit for those thinking that a multihull may feature in their forthcoming ownership plans. Here, you’ll find designers, suppliers, builders, brokers and charter businesses from all over the world, keen to showcase their specialist knowledge. The shipyards often use this event for global launches of new models, not least of which because being able to seatrial them straight after the show is a very quick and simple exercise.
