The 2012 Progressive Insurance® Miami International Boat Show and Strictly Sail starts this Thursday, exhibiting the best of the boating industry, with thousands of the newest yachts, marine gear and accessories for sale, on top of five days of on-the-water entertainment and education. From hundreds of yacht debuts and thousands of cutting-edge technologies on display, to appearances from local and national celebrities and on-the-water action, the world’s leading boating event will offer every visitor a possibility to discover the fun of the boating lifestyle.
Miami Boat Show 2011
MEDIA – BOAT LOADS OF VISUALS AND PHOTO OPPS. Interactive activities, appearances, yachts and technologies not to be missed include:
New! Sailing Simulator – Before they hit the water,sailors can learn how boats react to wind, wave and a variety of conditions on the new Sailing Simulator. This advanced technology simulates the actual movement of a boat under sail, allowing novices to learn how to handle a boat and experienced sailors the opportunity to practice under different conditions. (Miamarina at Bayside)
New! Thunder Boat Row – Visitors can feed their need for speed with the show’s fastest and sleekest race boats from Cigarette Racing Team, Nor-Tech, Marine Technology, Velocity, GTMM, Skater and Outerlimits Powerboats. (Outdoor space 3597, next to the Pavilion Tent)
The visitors can get behind the wheel at the Discover Boating Resource Center – The interactive educational series at the Discover Boating Resource Center & Discover Sailing Hands-On Learning Center offers a hands-on approach to training that includes free, daily boating seminars covering a range of topics followed by on-the water clinics to apply skills learned in the classroom. Courses include boating fundamentals, beginners’ and advanced sailing, close quarter handling and navigation. (Sea Isle Marina and Miamarina at Bayside)
Celeb Appearances
Jimmy Cornell – One of the world’s most experienced sailors and acclaimed authors on the subject, Cornell has sailed more than 200,000 miles in all seven oceans and completed three circumnavigations and voyages to Antarctica, Alaska and Spitsbergen. Join his class, Long Distance Cruising Master Class including Planning Your Dream Voyage, on Saturday, Feb. 18, from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m..
National Geographic’s Shark Men’s Chris Fischer and Brett McBride – The visitors can meet legendary ocean explorers, anglers, conservationists, and stars of National Geographic Channel’s ground-breaking series, Shark Men – Chris Fischer and Brett McBride. They will discuss their groundbreaking Great White Shark research as well as meet and greet fans throughout the show. Friday, February 17 at 5 p.m. in the Big Game Room and Saturday at 5 p.m. on Convention Center Drive. Episodes will air every day in the Big Game Room Shark Men Theater.
Hanley Ramirez, Josh Johnson and Jose Reyes of the Miami Marlins – The visitors can meet the Miami Marlins and Billy the Marlin Saturday, February 19 for pictures, autographs, questions and answers, as well as interactive speed pitch, t-ball games and fun prizes from the Miami Marlins street team. Players will be on-hand Sunday, February 19 from 1 – 2 p.m. and the street team will be sharing the fun all day. (Big Game Room)
Power ‘Queen of the Show’, the Marlow Explorer 72E yacht – Guests have long awaited the return of the Marlow Explorer 72E whose features include four staterooms, three heads and private crew quarters. The Northern Light is valued at $2,205,000. (Sea Isle Marina)
Largest boat at the show! The 95′ Maccarini Navegantes sailing yacht Queen of the Show – This one-of-a-kind custom wood hulled vessel was crafted in Brazil using traditional techniques and craftsmanship. It sleeps eight passengers and six crew members. The Mestre Belo is valued at $2,500,000. (Strictly Sail)
Attention Twilight Fans! Chris-Craft Silver Bullet and Launch 32 yacht tenders – The visitors can see the Silver Bullet, the same boat ridden by Edward and Bella in Twilight! Also on display will be the Launch 32, the newest and largest member of the Launch family. It offers an ample aft sunpad, sleep-in cabin and convenient head to accommodate all the comforts that your family and guests deserve. Sleek proportions and practical configuration make this Launch well-suited to long excursions but still remains practical for champagne cruises.(Booth D-24)
Pink Boat, In Pursuit of a Cure – Pursuit Boats is debuting its first pink boat to support breast cancer research at the Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins. They worked with a designer to develop a pink graphic to display on the model OS 315. The 31 foot Pursuit yacht features mirror images of the graphic on both hull sides from the chine to the rub rail, a 30 foot long graphic. Dr. Ben Park, leading the team of researchers at Johns Hopkins, will answer questions at 1:30 p.m. on Thursday. (Booth C-46)
First Sailboat with revolutionary joystick docking technology: the Beneteau Sense 55 yacht – The visitors can see the newest and most innovative sailing yacht afloat. Equipped with the DOCK&GO joystick maneuvering system, a child or new sailor can dock this gorgeous yacht without qualms. The latest Sense model opens up the interior and exterior spaces, provides new access to the water, and offers three separate living spaces. With its low heel angle and perfect balance under sail, it provides surprising sailing speeds with seakeeping second to none among monohulls. (Strictly Sail, Pier B)
A consumer submarine: Compact Semi Submarine EGO – A new way to enjoy the ocean! The new EGO makes it easy for anyone to explore undersea. The world’s first semi-submarine boat for consumers can go under the water just like a submarine so people can conveniently observe fish and coral reefs in their natural environment. And unlike submarines, EGO provides the opportunity to experience other boating benefits including fishing and sunbathing with ample deck space. (Booth T100)
The coolest gadgets and technology:
LEHR Outboard Engine – The world’s first marine outboard engine fueled by propane. The powerful 4-stroke engine with *110 octane fuel is eco-friendly with zero evaporative emissions.
Mariner S Electric Bike – This stylish bike’s features include power on demand throttle, a 2000 charge cycle li-ion battery and EZ folding to less than three square feet. With full adjustability, it’s a fit for all ages and types of riders from 5’ 3” to 6’ 3”.
Torqeedo 1003 – This motor delivers power and range with improved efficiency and up to 30% more power than previous models. Ease-of-use is enhanced by four-function display that shows percent of battery power remaining, speed through water and range remaining at current speed all with an integrated GPS-receiver. The Torqeedo 3000 represents the smallest carbon footprint of any propulsion motor.
