Episode 16:
"Miami Boat Show"
This week, Steel Dreams goes to Miami Beach, Florida, for the huge and exciting Miami International Boat Show. This show commands lots of attention because the American pleasure boat market is 50% of all recreational marine products sold worldwide – and represents $25 billion annually in the United States alone.
So, it’s off to Miami to see the latest, greatest and (Steel) Dreamiest runabouts, sport boats, fishing boats, cruisers, personal watercraft, jet boats, inflatables, luxury yachts and high-performance boats – everything from 15 to 75 feet – as well as hot engines, cool electronics and all types of marine accessories that are also on display. All of which are produced by National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) members – over 1,500 companies – who make 80 percent of all marine products used by recreational boaters.
The show is in two parts. Inside the Miami Beach Convention Center, it’s more than a million square feet of wall-to-wall boats and accessories – and outside, in the adjacent Sea Isle Marina & Yachting Center, we check out the world's most impressive fleet of “in the water” powerboats ever assembled. You’ll browse the docks, board cruisers, sport fisherman, high-performance speedboats and luxury yachts – and even take some wet and wild demo runs at sea !
Highlights include: Vic Spelling (Formula Boats), introducing a brand new Formula 45-foot Performance cruiser – with twin 660 HP engines and a nifty hydraulic swim platform that lowers beneath the water surface to launch and retrieve swimmers and/or personal watercraft. Phil Bennett (Hinkley Yachts), shows off powerboats and cruisers from 29- to 70-feet that have the look of classic wood boats outside with all the latest technology and electronics built inside, including the amazing “Jet Stick” steering for 360-degree control. Then Frederico Ferrante takes us aboard some European Gobbi-Atlantis Sport Cruisers, amazing Azimut Yatchts and spectacular Benetti Viareggio Mega-Yatchs (up to 230-feet)! Plus Greg Bourque (Cabo Yatchts), with the latest for sport fishing, and a visit with famed offshore powerboat racing legend, Richie Powers. There’s intriguing custom “theme” boats too!
It’s not motor sports on TV – it’s “Steel Dreams” TV.
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