Flibs

[Descant]

For many major attractions, there are guidelines as to how to get the most out of the trip. My grandson (16) and I, will be be going to the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show at the end of October. His first time, and I haven't been to FLIBSs for several decades. Any suggestions for how to get the most out of the show? We plan to attend Friday, Saturday, Sunday; we're staying at Pier 66. TIA.

[ishoot308]

Originally Posted by Descant

For many major attractions, there are guidelines as to how to get the most out of the trip. My grandson (16) and I, will be be going to the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show at the end of October. His first time, and I haven't been to FLIBSs for several decades. Any suggestions for how to get the most out of the show? We plan to attend Friday, Saturday, Sunday; we're staying at Pier 66. TIA.

Descant,

While I have never been to the FLIBS show, I have been to the Miami boat show a couple times and am going back again this February. I believe the shows are very similar with FLIBS being slightly larger and considered the largest “in water” boat show in the world boasting over 1300 in water boats! They also have more of the large super yachts there!

I highly recommend pre-planning everything on a daily basis. My first trip to the Miami show was unplanned and we were completely overwhelmed by the size and logistics of the show!…totally caught off guard!

Get a map of the show and make a plan of what you want to see each day. Most of the larger boats / yachts require reservations to board.

Remember the show brings in over 100,000 people every day so everything for miles will be packed, have dinner reservations made well in advance. Pier 66 has multiple great restaurants so there really is no reason the leave there! Great choice!!

Break up your day by seeing boats for a few hours then go to the inside vendors and see what’s new for boating accessories. Probably best to see the boats in the morning then move inside when the sun gets hot.

Don’t wear a watch! Not because it will get stolen but because every vendor who sells polishing cream will be trying to pull you aside and show you how well their polish works and they are very pushy!!

Enjoy this special time with your grandson! He will remember this show and this time with you for the rest of his life!

Have fun!

Dan

[8gv]

To fit 1300 boats in the water I would assume that many slips have to be vacated. Where do those boats go? Who moves them?

If I were a slip renter there I think I would be annoyed!

[ishoot308]

Originally Posted by 8gv

To fit 1300 boats in the water I would assume that many slips have to be vacated. Where do those boats go? Who moves them?

If I were a slip renter there I think I would be annoyed!

I know in Miami they set up temporary floating docks in the intracoastal. It’s a massive undertaking…

Dan

[LIforrelaxin]

Originally Posted by 8gv

To fit 1300 boats in the water I would assume that many slips have to be vacated. Where do those boats go? Who moves them?

If I were a slip renter there I think I would be annoyed!

These big show have been going on for so many years people in the affected Marina's are well aware of what happens, and in fact I would be willing to say that the Marina's involved have it in the contracts that are signed for slip rental. I don't think any of them are surprised, and there is logistics in place to do what needs to be done.

[TiltonBB]

I have gone to the show for several years. One enjoyable part is the water taxi between parts of the show. The homes and boats you see from the water are incredible.

The water taxi goes from Bahia Mar where the in the water boats are to the Hilton Marina Convention Center where there are a large amount of indoor displays, including many boats and vendors. The water taxi also stops at 15th Street Fisheries which is a good restaurant. You can get off there to eat and then catch the next one to continue on.

[Loub52]

Originally Posted by TiltonBB

I have gone to the show for several years. One enjoyable part is the water taxi between parts of the show. The homes and boats you see from the water are incredible.

The water taxi goes from Bahia Mar where the in the water boats are to the Hilton Marina Convention Center where there are a large amount of indoor displays, including many boats and vendors. The water taxi also stops at 15th Street Fisheries which is a good restaurant. You can get off there to eat and then catch the next one to continue on.

+1 for the water taxi. It's really great!

[Descant]

Pier 66 was very nice for us. Superyacht Village (100' plus) was on site and was also a stop for the water taxis that went to the Convention Center, Bahia Mar, etc. We also made a connection with Dennison Yachting so spent time at the Dennison Mansion / hospitality set up with an unveiling of new RR and Bentley cars They had tenders that also took us to various show locations--a 48' HJB and a 48' Azimut. I haven't gotten used to boats that big with 4 outboards yet. Ran into Hulk (Tiki Boats) and Colby Gamache (formerly at Channel Marine). We also went to Hard Rock Stadium to see the Patriots beat the Dolphins. My grandson is in that college search mode so we also did Business School tours at U Miami. Obeyed strict orders from the home office and did not buy a boat. All in all, a great trip.

[TiltonBB]

We went to the Fort Lauderdale show and stayed at the Hilton Marina. It is a great spot because the Water Taxi stops right there and it is across the street from the convention center.

The one disappointment this year was the heat and humidity. We have been several times but this year it was the worst. The Superyacht portion of the show was great but the heat took a lot of energy from us. We visited with a friend and spent 1/2 hour with him sitting in one of the air conditioned boats he had for sale.

It is a great show and there is a lot to see. I know all the shows across the country have schedules that interact with each other so the November dates are what works for the industry. Many of the new boats in the show are trucked to several shows. But, January is usually the coolest month in Florida and having the Fort Lauderdale show then would make the show more enjoyable.