During winters like this one, thank goodness for Miami. Never mind the gorgeous beach and the incredible fishing that happens in and around this southern hotspot, what boaters nationwide need during this chilly time of year is a dose of gorgeous boats — and the Miami Boat Show delivers.
In reality, the show consists of several shows stitched loosely together: The Miami International Boat Show, Strictly Sail Miami, and the Yacht & Brokerage Show in Miami Beach. Indoors (and outdoors under tents) at the Miami Convention Center visitors find a terrific assortment of smaller powerboats and equipment such as engines, electronics, and other “stuff” to outfit your boat. At Strictly Sail Miami, located at Miamarina, it’s a wind-powered bonanza, with enough catamarans, luxury yachts, and oceangoing cruisers to keep you out of your Topsiders all day. Finally the Yacht & Brokerage Show in Miami Beach, which stretches for a mile along Collins Avenue, offers a yacht for even the most discerning tastes. If you are looking for the finest yachts afloat, the Yacht & Brokerage Show is a must-visit event.
The USHarbors crew was able to spend several days checking out all the different yachts and venues, and luckily we managed to grab a few images of the action. If you couldn’t make it to Miami this year, hopefully this gallery will give you a taste of what you missed — and inspire you to book your tickets for the 2016 show! (FYI, it’s going to be in some different locations next year, though still in Miami.)
If you're looking for the finest yachts, Miami is the place to head to every February.
Photos of Winter Warmup Photo Gallery: The Miami Boat Show
If you're looking for the finest yachts, Miami is the place to head to every February.
Four outboard engines. Now that's some serious fishing power on this big Everglades center-console!
A Chris-Craft stands out, no matter if the boat is inside a convention center or cruising the coast.
Gunboat has become one of the most talked-about new sailing yacht manufacturers in the world. This is the newest 55' model.
If nothing else, the Miami Boat Show is a lesson in branding.
The line to step aboard the new 42' Boston Whaler lasted all week. And it was worth the wait!
These days, engines have become part of a yacht's overall design brief, rather than an add-on.
Some exhibits were positively space-age.
Hatteras Yachts was proud to display their new 45' tournament and cruising models at the Yacht & Brokerage Show.
If you're going to have beautiful yachts, you need to have a few beautiful cars parked near them, right?
Mediterranean style.
A lovely perch for an afternoon rest.
Princess Yachts had one of the most impressive displays in Miami, as the manufacturer was celebrating its 50th anniversary.
If you're looking for any new products to put on your boat or yacht, there's no better place to see the options than in Miami.
OK, so even hard-working boat junkies like the USHarbors crew get to appreciate a beautiful sunrise over Miami Beach.
In Miami, the sea comes inside. A sea of boats.
Today's engines truly aren't anything like yesterday's engines.