Tourism hits record
Browsers will see $1.2 billion worth of vessels and accessories
Florida visitors at peak.
WEST PALM BEACH — Despite rising interest rates and a choppy stock market, the annual Palm Beach International Boat Show kicks off its 33rd edition on Thursday with the expectation that bigmoney yacht buyers still want to open their wallets wide.
The show is the final extravaganza of the South Florida boat exhibition season. The Miami Yacht Show and Progressive Insurance Miami International Boat Show took place simultaneously in February, and the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show opened the season last fall.
The Palm Beach County show — which will occupy a waterfront stretch from South Flagler Drive and Trinity Place to North Flagler Drive and Banyan Boulevard in West Palm Beach — traditionally attracts buyers of high-end vessels, as well as sports fishing enthusiasts and blue water anglers, according to the exhibition’s producers.
In a statement, Mary Bender, vice president of marketing for Informa, the event’s producer, said she expects lots of deal-making by “serious shoppers.” She said the show is looking for another year of growth in new boats on display, exhibitor participation and attendance. Entrepreneurs with new products intend to circulate among boaters and exhibitors. For example, Carlos Courtaux of Miami has meetings scheduled with a software developer, magazine publisher and boaters to promote GPDock, a community-based online reservation system that allows boaters to reserve marina slips around Florida and in the Bahamas.
“The number of customers is increasing every week,” said Courtaux, co-founder of GPDock. He said he picked up some business at the two Miami boat shows.
Brokers and manufacturers say many vessel owners are in the market to replace or repair damaged vessels after hurricanes savaged the Caribbean Basin and most of Florida last fall.
The show is expected to display more than $1.2 billion worth of boats, yachts and accessories. Vessels will range from 8-foot inflatables and power boats to fishing boats and bowriders to personal watercraft and superyachts over 150 feet in length.
Leading the way among the superyachts scheduled to be shown is the 238-foot Coral Ocean by Lurssen, being displayed by Moran Yacht & Ship of Fort Lauderdale. Two other 200-foot-plus vessels slated to appear are the Lady S by Burgess at 224.7 feet, and the Benetti superyacht Mine Games at 203 feet.
The show will run from noon until 7 p.m. Thursday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday.
Daily general admission tickets for the four-day show are $24 for adults and $14 for children age 6 through 15. Admission is free for children younger than 6.
For the first time, the show is offering a VIP lounge with a premium open bar, hors d’oeuvres, concierge service, and indoor and outdoor lounge seating. Admission is at wheeler-dealer prices: Oneday tickets go for $125, while twoday tickets are $200. Access is limited to showgoers age 21 and older.
More than 460 exhibitors will be displaying freshly minted technologies, marine services, parts, electronics, interiors, fishing gear, communications gear, clothing, insurance and other products.
The show is owned by the Marine Industries Association of Palm Beach County and managed and produced by Informa, a multinational events and publishing company based in London.
dvlyons@sun-sentinel .com, 954-356-4340, Twitter @davidvlyons