World’s largest boat show grows to six sites
5/25/2004 11:23:11 AM by
World's Largest Boat Show to celebrate 45th anniversary on land and in water Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show expanded to six sites
It will take six sites in the heart of Fort Lauderdale to host theworld's largest boat show. More than $1.6 billion worth of boats,yachts, super yachts, sailing yachts, electronics, engines andthousands of accessories from major manufacturers will cover more than3 million square feet of space on land and in the water at the 45thAnnual Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show. The show will run fromOct. 28 to Nov. 1. The six sites include the Radisson Bahia MarYachting Center, Greater Fort Lauderdale/Broward County ConventionCenter, Marriott Portside Marina, Hyatt Pier 66 Hotel & Marina,Hall of Fame Marina, and the Las Olas Marina.
Three of the sites -- Bahia Mar Yachting Center, Hall of Fame Marinaand Las Olas Marina -- are connected for the ease and convenience ofshow visitors. The Bahia Mar Yachting Center will feature multi-milliondollar super yachts, family boats, inflatable boats, engines,accessories and entertainment.
Surrounding the center will be a collection of the world's most luxurious super yachts (yachts 80 feet and over).
Included in the lineup are the: 140-foot World Is Not Enough fromMillennium Yachts, 143-foot Vision from Benetti, a 171-foot sailingyacht from Perini Navi, 115-foot Hargrave, 171-foot Kiss The Sky fromCamper & Nicholsons, 105-foot Horizon, 88-foot Symbol from HeartMarine, 152-foot Flamingo Daze,
87-foot Johnson, 151-foot Northern Light from Feadship, 116-foot LittleHarbor from Churchill Yacht Partners, 150-foot Mystic from Christensen,and 155foot Wheels from Trinity. Also at the Bahia Mar Yachting Center:The Super Yacht Builders and Designers Tent - This is where some of theworld's most prestigious yacht builders and designers will presenttheir work. The international showcase of products and services willfeature nearly every aspect of custom building, designing anddecorating under the 60,000 square foot customdesigned structure. TheInternational Yacht Builders Pavilion - The 15,000 square foot pavilionwill feature extravagant displays from prominent yacht builders,designers and shipyards from around the world. Countries representedinclude Australia, Great Britain, Germany, France, Holland, New Zealandand the United States. Engines, generators, air conditioners - Showvisitors will be able to see the newest engines, generators and airconditioners for small boats, midsize cruisers and super yachts.
Seven accessory tents - Seven immense tents will be filled with all ofthe boating accessories one can imagine, including the newest inelectronics and hundreds of boating-related products. These shoppingareas will also feature jewelry and nautical clothing. Additionally,there will be information on financing and insurance. Boats on land -Hundreds of trailerable boats, inflatables and personal watercraft willcover the land area. Boats in water - Bahia Mar (north side) willinclude powerboats, sport fishing boats, family cruisers, brokerageboats and super yachts. Bahia Mar (south side) will featuresportfishers, motor yachts, trawlers, express cruisers, super yachtsand brokerage yachts. Super yachts from 80 to over 170 feet will linethe face dock. Entertainment, fun and fashion - Show visitors areencouraged to take a break during the show at the International FoodGarden and floating cocktail barges. There will be food, liveentertainment and fashion shows. The Hall of Fame Marina, whichextendsfrom the end of F-Dock at Bahia Mar, will feature super yachts,brokerage boats and exotic cars. Las Olas Marina, a short stroll fromthe Hall of Fame site, will have brokerage boats in all sizes from someof the world's leading builders. And, new this year will be a specialcatamaran section featuring "cats" from 40 to 86 feet in length. TheGreater Fort Lauderdale/Broward County Convention Center has beendescribed by some show officials as a "show within a show." Level one,the main floor of the convention center, will be jampacked with theworld's finest fishing boats, family cruisers, runabouts, flats boats,center consoles, jet boats, engines, fishing equipment and accessories.The Kids' Fishing Village will also be featured. Level two is thelounge area that overlooks the show's main floor, where visitors canenjoy buffet dining. And, level three is where there will be hundredsof displays with accessories, marine art and clothing. Level three isalso the spot to see Guy Harvey's new adventure film, fashion shows andmarine seminars. Sailfish Pavilion is located outside the conventioncenter on the northeast side of the building. The pavilion will includerunabouts, trailers, personal watercraft, inflatable boats, highperformance boats, center consoles, cuddy cabins, and family cruisers.Pier 66 Marina will have more than 100 new and brokerage motor yachtsand sailing yachts. Marriott Portside Marina will play host to thelargest super yacht in the boat show this year - the 202foot Solemarpresented by Amels. The 180-foot Tiara sailing yacht from Alloy Yachtsand the 157-foot MITseaHAmotorsailer from Pendennis Shipyard will alsobe there. Boat Show Transportation System, sponsored by Yanmar Marine,will connect all six sites during the show. By land or water, showvisitors can use water taxis, riverboats or a free shuttle service tosee each location.