The 31st Annual Palm Beach International Boat Show ran from March 17 – 20, 2016 and Power Boating Canada’s Todd Taylor was there. This is one of the top five boat shows in the country – featuring more than $1.2 billion worth of boats, yachts and accessories from the world’s leading marine manufacturers. It is truly an International Show. The event includes hundreds of Boats from 8 foot inflatables, power boats, fishing boats, center consoles, bow riders, personal watercraft to superyachts over 150’. The finest pre-owned yachts, tents full of the latest electronics and accessories, seminars and kids fishing clinics. Exotic cars, live music and fun for all.
Here’s an update live from the show with just some of the new boats, new accessories, videos and photos that Todd had the chance to get aboard, see and experience at this one of a kind show.
Photo Gallery
The Palm Beach International Boat Show wrapped up on Sunday, March 20 with crowds continuing to flow through the show until the very end.
The number of boats on display increased over last year in all size categories, both in water and on land. The total number of boats in water was up eight percent, with the 100-foot and larger category up 31 percent over 2015. Boats 80 to 100 feet in size saw an increase of 32 percent.
“This show is now ranked among the largest boat and yacht shows in the nation and continues to grow across all size categories,” said Efrem “Skip” Zimbalist III, president of Show Management, the company that manages and produces the Palm Beach International Boat Show. “Record crowds on Thursday and Friday got the show off to a great start, and despite the rain over the weekend, exhibitor feedback was very positive about the show’s appeal to qualified buyers.”
The AquaZone™, a 40,000 gallon, freshwater pool featuring live hovercraft, jet board, kayak, stand-up-paddleboard and other water toy demonstrations, drew energetic crowds, while an array of seminars satisfied on-the-water enthusiasts of all kinds. CruiserPort seminars by PassageMaker Magazine delivered education for long-term cruising enthusiasts and the IGFA School of Sportfishing seminars and youth fishing clinics presented by Hook The Future were well attended all weekend. The floating cocktail lounges were filled with spirited crowds each day and many guests enjoyed arriving at the show via the popular Come-by-Boat dock.
For information to plan your visit to next years show, visit ShowManagement.com.