Boaters, boating enthusiasts and buffs of all things nautical will feel like a kid in a candy shop at the Progressive Insurance Miami International Boat Show (MIBS). Set for February 14 to 18, 2019, and now located at the Miami Marine Stadium Park & Basin docks, there is truly something for everyone. New features include upgraded on-the-water programming, think sea trials on a dreamboat and powerboat/sailing courses; a conservation village, where its possible to learn about ways to help protect ocean and marine environments from experts in the field; and the Meiomi Home, a California Beach Bungalow pop-up with wine tastings and pairings.
“The 2019 show promises an experience for buyers and dreamers alike, showcasing more than 1,400 of the newest boats, from motor yachts and sailing catamarans, to offshore fishing boats and family cruisers, plus the latest marine technology, gear and accessories from more than 1,000 exhibitors,” says MIBS director, Larry Berryman. “What’s more, the show’s location this year is historically a boating destination. Complete with a pristine deep-water basin and direct proximity to the water, the Miami Marine Stadium Park and Basin provides an oasis-type experience for attendees to enjoy and shop for all aspects of the boating lifestyle.”
New Boats, New Water Toys, New Electronics
The MIBS features a 60-acre display that includes a massive 67,000-square-foot exhibition space and nearly 500 yachts from the world’s foremost yacht and superyacht manufacturers and brokers. A sampling of three manufacturer’s showing new designs are Scout, Robalo and Riviera.
Scout Boats, headquartered in Summerville, SC, will debut its ‘mega center console’ 530 LXF, the company’s newest luxury sportfishing vessel.
Robalo’s R272, the latest deep vee 27-foot center console on the market features the Nashville, GA’s signature “mix of hard-core fishing features and family-friendly creature comforts”, according to eastern U.S. regional sales manager, Joe Pegg.
Riviera, a luxury motor yacht builder, will make a huge splash. The Australian company’s on-water display includes its new Belize 66 Sedan, long-range and luxurious Riviera 72 Sports Motor Yacht and sporty and adventurous 395 SUV. The exhibition also includes Riviera’s stylish 4800, 5400 and 6000 sport yachts, the Riviera 52 enclosed flybridge model and classic Belize 54 Daybridge.
A different kind of craft on show will be the JetSurf. This motorized surfboard, which comes from the Czech Republic, is already the focal point of world championships hosted in countries from the USA and Mexico to Korea and China. It’s also been popularized by celebrities such as Lewis Hamilton, Sylvester Stallone and Justin Timberlake.
“You don’t need any waves, but you surf. There is a board with a built-in engine under your feet, controlled only by tilting your body and gas trigger in your hand,” explains Ondrej Prikryl, marketing manager at JetSurf USA in Miami, who adds that the company’s 2019 boards are uniquely equipped with a direct fuel injection (DFI) system making the water toy environmentally-friendly. “We’ll be presenting our brand-new model, JetSurf Adventure. Its cruising range on one fuel tank (2.8 liters) is 3 hours. Along with a special rack with straps for a waterproof bag, it’s perfect for discovering little islands in the Bahamas and the Caribbean.”
Technology takes center stage at the 2019 MIBS. Hans Rooker, account manager for Cypress, CA-headquartered Standard Horizon will be exhibiting a number of marine radios, including the GX1400, with its large bright backlit display and updated easy-to-operate menu system.
Apps are in. C-MAP, a digital marine cartography company based in Southampton, UK, will show its new AIS functionality for its Embark navigation app. This feature lets users see boats around them in real time with AIS data overlaid directly on their charts.
The mazu SportFishing app, by Ontario, Canada’s mazu Marine, links the company’s m2500 hardware to offer global service using the Iridium satellite network. This enables sports fishermen to see their location in relation to fellow anglers and makes it simple to coordinate with multiple boats. Techie in a different way is the lightest electric motor system on the market.
The EP Carry, by North Bend, WA-headquartered PropEle Electric Boat Motors, weighs 14-pounds, comes with a buoyant battery pack that is under 7 pounds, and has a 3- to 6-mile range per charge with speeds of 3.5- to 4.2-knots.
How to Maximize Your MIBS Experience
Over 100,000 local, national and international visitors are expected to attend the 2019 MIBS. Last year, the show contributed an estimated $854 million to Miami and the state of Florida, or an economic impact greater than two and a half Super Bowls.
To get the most out of the show, plan before you go, recommends director, Berryman. “Based on what type of boater you are, visit our website ahead of time to navigate the various exhibitors and see who is showcasing the type of boat you’re eyeing, whether it’s an offshore fishing boat, luxury motor boat, sailboat, or family cruiser.
Another tip is using the show website to determine what features and seminars you’d like to attend and then map out your plan.
Finally, we have a variety of new and improved transportation options for show goers. Miami is one of the most traffic dense cities in the country, therefore the show is creating a stress-free experience for attendees with more park-and-ride locations in 2019, free water taxi and shuttle bus services, and easy-to-navigate public transportation options.”
For more information, visit: http://www.miamiboatshow.com/
