The largest boat show in Southwest Florida, and arguably the west coast of the Sunshine State, comes ashore next week.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The 53rd\u00a0annual Fort Myers Boat Show, the largest display of boats and boating products on Florida\u2019s Gulf Coast, returns to downtown\u00a0Fort Myers from Nov. 13 through Nov. 16.<\/p>\n
According to Marine Industries Association of Southwest Florida, which puts on the show each year, attendees will get a look at everything from bay boats and inshore skiffs to larger center consoles and luxurious yachts. Organizers state the show includes a variety of inshore and offshore fishing boats, custom skiffs, pontoon and deck boats, high performance, sport and cruising boats \u2014 virtually every type and style a boater might enjoy in Southwest Florida.\u00a0There will be approximately 40 local dealers representing 100 boat manufacturers on display.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur show is really coming together. It\u2019s going to look fabulous,\u201d said John Good, executive director of the Marine Industries Association of Southwest Florida, \u201cWe\u2019ve got more product than I think we\u2019ve ever had before. We\u2019re scrambling to find places to put any last-minute exhibitors because we\u2019re completely full. People are going to see everything that they want to see at our show.\u201d<\/p>\n
While attendees will certainly see a wide display of boats, the Caloosa Sound Convention Center will be packed with engines, electronics, boat lifts, fishing equipment, apparel and marine accessories.\u00a0The show also features a wide variety of service companies, marinas and shipyards that will help boaters get the most out of their time on the water.<\/p>\n
\u201cAttendees are going to see just about any kind of boat that they want to see, but the beauty of boat shows in general \u2014 because obviously dealerships are spread all over the state in many ways \u2014 it\u2019s the one opportunity of the year for people in our area to come and see everything there is to see in the marine industry,\u201d Good said. \u201cThere\u2019s way more than just boats, too. The convention center is full of everything from electronics to engines to boat lifts and clothing and gift items. Any kind of product people are interested in. It\u2019s a great way for people to get acclimated to boating in the area.\u201d<\/p>\n
In the Downtown Fort Myers Historic River District, exhibits traverse along the Caloosahatchee River, through Centennial Park and the Caloosa Sound Convention Center and to the east along Edwards Drive to Lee Street. The main show entrance is at Bay and Heitman streets (next to the Post Office) with a second entrance at Lee Street and Edwards Drive.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a really big show \u2014 we always tell people to be prepared because it\u2019s a little over a half-a-mile from one end of our show to the other,\u201d Good said. \u201cThere\u2019s a lot to see and do.\u201d<\/p>\n
Also throughout the convention, the Marine Industries Association of Southwest Florida and Tampa Bay will host the \u201cKnow Before You Go\u201d display, which is an interactive booth featuring local captains, navigational charts, marine electronics and educational materials to help individuals be safe while enjoying local waterways.\u00a0The display will be in the lobby of the Caloosa Sound Convention Center, and a free guide with basic boating and navigation information that is a great on-board reference is available at the display.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs an association, we pay a lot of attention to boat safety, and boater education is really, really important,\u201d Good said. \u201cThere\u2019s obviously an awful lot of boats out on the water and it\u2019s just so important that people know the rules of the road and know how to handle a boat and know what they\u2019re doing. There\u2019s a lot of opportunity for people at our show for people.\u201d<\/p>\n
Additionally there will be displays from the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, U.S. Power Squadron and Lee County Marine Task Force inside the convention center with answers to a wide range of questions on boating safety and regulations, plus other information to help boaters enjoy their time on the water. Each day, there will be two \u201cBoating Basics\u201d seminars with Capt. Rich Blasquez at noon and 1:30 p.m.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe seminars and the \u2018Know Before You Go\u2019 are really helpful for people that are new to the area,\u201d Good said. \u201cIt\u2019s a great place to talk to some people who know the area and can go over charts and show people fun places to go and fun places on the water.\u201d<\/p>\n
Capt. Terry Fisher is back hosting fishing seminars three times each day, covering inshore fishing, offshore fishing, knot tying, fishing tackle and answering all fishing questions.\u00a0Along with boats and boat accessories, the expo will have a myriad of fishing-related vendors on-site.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have all the gear and gadgets that boaters live,\u201d Good said. \u201cIt\u2019s a great place to do some Christmas shopping, too.\u201d<\/p>\n
Good said Southwest Florida and the downtown Fort Myers venue are a perfect match for an expo of this magnitude.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re really lucky,\u201d he said. \u201cYou can go to boat shows all over the country, and you\u2019re never going to find a setting for a show that\u2019s any better. We have the extra added benefit of having the convention center right in the middle of our show \u2014 most boat shows don\u2019t have that.\u201d<\/p>\n
Good said for those in the market for a new boat, or upgrades to an existing one, dealers at the shows are there to wheel and deal.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cAll of those dealers are there, and people can look at everything all in the same place,\u201d he said. \u201cDealers are next to one another, so they\u2019re competitive. They want to sell. It\u2019s a good opportunity for buyers. Dealers want to be successful at the show. Even if you don\u2019t buy right at the show, they get to know the dealerships and see trials. The show is a great place to start.\u201d<\/p>\n
The show features a centralized food court in Centennial Park where live music will be played, with food choices including Let\u2019s BeeFrank Food truck with American food favorites and Grandma Yummies with Gyros, salads and Greek favorites.\u00a0Admission is $20 for adults and children 15 and under are free with a paid adult. Tickets are available for purchase during the show at both show entrances, but visitors are encouraged to skip the line and buy tickets online.<\/p>\n
Good, who has been part of the show for 40-plus years, said the show has not only grown in size, but in quality.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve been doing it for a long time, and we\u2019ve got it down to a pretty good science,\u201d he said. \u201cIf you go to a lot of boat shows\u2026 they\u2019re great shows, but they\u2019re also overwhelming. Where this is a big show\u2026 but for those looking for nearly anything marine-related, it\u2019s a great show to come to.\u201d <\/p>\n
Free parking is at City of Palms Park, 2201 Edison Ave., Fort Myers<\/a>. Attendees can enter the parking area at Edison and Central avenues.<\/p>\n Multiple free shuttles will run continuous service to keep wait times minimal, with runs from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. all four days of the show (6 p.m. on Sunday).<\/p>\n Additional paid parking may be found in the downtown area at the Edison Parking Garage (Monroe and Bay streets), Main Street Parking Garage (Jackson and First streets), and the Florida Repertory Theatre Lot (between Hendry and Jackson streets along Bay Street).<\/p>\n For additional information, please visit goboatingflorida.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n