Steve Erlank Catch My Drift
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Its easy to get caught up in the rat-race! As years of working life began passing in a blur of meetings, admin and many hours in airplanes, our fleeting moments of freedom happened all too seldom. But one such moment, an amazing and somewhat impromptu, yacht charter holiday in Madagascar with my adventure buddy Paul and our families, galvanised a long-held, but impossible desire to own a boat. Paul and I spent several years after that holiday visiting boat shows and looking at boats. We prodded fenders, opened hatches, peered into engine compartments, and stretched out on the bunks of many lovely boats, but each year, we raised the bar as we looked for the perfect boat to match the dream.
About 4 years ago, we found her at the Cape Town boat show a Knysna 500, built by Kevin and Rika and the team at Knysna Yacht company. I recall us both walking off the boat, saying, Yep. Thats the one, and 4 weeks later Paul said I have placed an order: are you in? I dont think we could have made a better choice, with either boat builder or vessel. In a world of mass-produced, assembly line yachts, each Knysna is hand crafted and lovingly built. We were able to customise her to our specifications, and Kevin and Rika seem to treat each boat that emerges from their yard as one of their children, following their voyages and adventures around the world.
About Fort Lauderdale Boat Show
The Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show is the greatest boat show on the seven seas. Owned by the Marine Industries Association of South Florida and produced by Informa Markets, the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show is recognized as the largest in-water boat show in the world.
Located steps from the beach in sunny South Florida, FLIBS spans nearly 90 acres across three million square feet of exhibit space that is connected by an intricate network of water and ground transportation services. The five-day show attracted over 100,000 attendees and 1,000 exhibitors representing 52 countries with more than 1,300 boats on display in 2019. Products range from sunglasses to superyachts and everything in between.
Learn more and purchase tickets here.
Tampa Bay Boat Show June 25th
As the largest boating sales show in the Tampa Bay area, the Tampa Bay Boat Show is one you cant miss. In late June, head to the Florida State Fairgrounds, where you can view yachts, cruisers, kayaks, and more from leading vendors and manufacturers in the industry. Youll also find the latest and greatest docking and safety equipment, outdoor and fishing supplies, and boat trailers everything you need for your boating adventures, all in one place. Fishing enthusiasts can even attend seminars hosted by renowned fishermen, including Captain Sergio Atanes, Captain Charlie Howell, and Captain Tony Frankland. The best part? Admission is completely free!
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A Boat Will Change Your Life
You can take your family cruising, fishing, waterskiing, wake surfing or just relaxing while getting away from the rest of the world and spending quality time with your family.
You’ll be ready to Discover the Joys of Boating where you can visit 12 of Central Florida’s finest boat dealers representing over 50 boat manufacturers, all in one location and see boats of all types at the show.
Countdown To The St Pete Boat Show
General admission tickets for the boat show are and kids 15 and under are free. Hours will be 10am – 6pm Thursday through Saturday and 10am – 5pm on Sunday.
Capt. Don will demo various fishing techniques while showcasing a wide variety of fish species. Each kid will also get a free Hook the Future/ Carolina Skiff custom rod & reel combo.
Enjoy the best hotel rates with no booking fees guaranteed. onPeak is the only official hotel provider for the show offering convenient hotel options with flexible change and cancellation policies.
The 44th annual St. Petersburg Power & Sailboat Show, the largest boat show on the Gulf Coast, is set to sail into the Duke Energy Center for the Arts Mahaffey Theater Yacht Basin and Albert Whitted Park in St. Petersburg, Florida.
The show will feature an impressive selection of powerboats and sailboats in water and on land, including a 40,000-square-foot clearspan tent housing all types of marine gear.
Both new and brokerage boats will be on display and whether youre looking for a center console fishing boat, a yacht, a sailboat, or a kayak, youll find it here along with a comprehensive selection of marine gear and accessories.
Also, dont forget to squeeze in time for seminars on various topics including boat maintenance, fishing, and the cruising lifestyle. For kids, look for programs that will be posted on the show site as the date nears.
When is the next boat show in Florida?
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Best Boat Shows In Florida
Boat Show season is upon us, and every year the state of Florida hosts multiple boat show events featuring yachts and boats for sale, both new and used, of all kinds. These events present great opportunities to learn about the latest advancements in the marine industry, speak to industry experts one-on-one, and take advantage of special discount pricing on products and services available. Make the most out of your boat show experience by planning ahead. Here are the top five boat shows coming this fall and winter season throughout the sunshine state.
Reasons To Attend A Florida Boat Show
If youve never attended one of these shows and are considering whether you should attend or not, here are some reasons why you might consider attending:
- If in the market for a new yacht or boat, boat shows are ideal for seeing and viewing a wide selection of boats in person. Especially at the larger shows, you can browse the latest and greatest from nearly all yacht and boat manufacturers. Comparing a selection of models in-person is easier at a boat show than any other venue.
- Boat shows are an educational experience. If youre new to boating, its hard to find a better place to begin your education process. Not only are a myriad of yachts and boats on display at these shows, but quite often there are demonstrations and other how-to learning experiences. Getting a breadth of hands-on, practical experience that a boat show provides is a great way to jumpstart your boating knowledge.
- Boat shows are a great way to introduce the hobby to your family and get everyone excited about the boating lifestyle. Boating is much more than the actual boat itself, and boat shows do a wonderful job of showcasing the various elements of the boating lifestyle.
- These shows are a great way to get up to speed on the latest technology and offerings in the industry. Even seasoned boaters can fall behind in knowing the available gear and technology in the industry. Boat shows are a perfect opportunity to learn about the new and innovative features that the industry is bringing to market.
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Fort Myers Boat Show November 11th
Looking for a boat show that doubles as a vacation? The Fort Myers Boat Show is the perfect fit! From November 11th through the 14th, the historic downtown riverfront will transform into the largest display of boats, marine products, and boating services on Floridas Gulf Coast. Tour over 600 vessels representing more than 130 manufacturers, stroll along the river as you view exhibits, and visit the Caloosa Sound Convention Center to shop for boating accessories.
Tickets are $16 for adults and free for children 15 and younger buy yours online to skip the line on the day of the show!
Ann And Howard Second Chance
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My wife, Ann, and I saw a Knysna yacht in Knysna and, having been aboard, fell in love with the design. A couple of years later we were very lucky to be able to place an order for the Knysna 500 SE and found both Kevin Fouche and his wife Rika to be incredibly patient and supportive throughout the building period and their after sales service is first class. We looked at many other catamarans of a similar size, but they really could not match the specification and build quality of the Knysna yacht for the price.
Once our yacht, which we named Second Chance, was launched we had the yacht delivered to the Seychelles. We were delighted and surprised when Kevin and Rika flew into Mahe, the main island of the Seychelles, where their yacht, also a Knysna yacht called Pelagic Belle is based. They very kindly introduced us to a lot of the good places to visit as we sailed in convoy round some of the islands. How many other boat builders would do something like that!! If you are wondering about the name Second Chance, it is because in 1998 I had a heart transplant and was given a second chance of life!
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Paul Greenwood Catch My Drift
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When the bunch of keys gets to big, we get restless and have the need to get out of the rutt. We did this before in 1998 and spent 2 1/2 years cruising the Indian ocean Islands on our first Catamaran Ruby a Dean 365, which was custom built for us. So when the bunch got too big again in 2013, it was time for our next adventure. From our previous experience, we knew exactly what we needed in our next yacht. She needed to be safe, strong, fast, easily managed by a small crew and be comfortable enough to spend plenty of time on enjoying the journey. It did not take us too long to find the right yacht, a Knysna 500, which came with the added bonus of great looks and the ability to customise it to our specifications. It also came with a new family in the form of the builders, Kevin and Rika and the entire Knysna Yacht Co.
We have been more than just clients to them, they have shared in our experiences and have always been there to assist us and support us when needed. Since the boat was launched in 2014 we have sailed well over 10 000 miles, all the way to the Maldives and Chagos, via the Seychelles and Madagascar, and then back again and have had some awesome experiences, through big seas and some challenging times with a small crew, the boat has never let us down and we have always felt safe. Whilst we are currently collecting keys again, we look forwards to our next adventure on Catch my Drift
Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show October 27th
The greatest boat show on the seven seas is back! From October 27th to the 31st, the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show will host thousands of exhibitors, boats on display, and attendees. Located just steps from the beach, FLIBS is a great way to spend a fall weekend with family or friends, enjoy the sunshine, and check out cutting-edge boating products ranging from fishing sunglasses to megayachts. Kids ages 5 through 16 can even attend fishing clinics to help them hone and grow their skills! The event also features over 100 food vendors serving delicious cuisine ranging from burgers to pad thai.
There will be no box office on-site at FLIBS, so be sure to purchase your digital tickets when they go on sale.
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South Florida Boat Show2022
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Organizers who claim their event pages can update listing details, add photos, answer to reviews, view click reports and more.
Naples Boat Show January 19
The Naples Boat Show returns to Sugden Regional Park and the Naples City Docks this January 19-22, with a collection of exhibits between marinas, boat dealers, and other marine-related businesses. Other features and attractions will include live music and a kids corner, plus a complimentary shuttle service and parking offered at no additional cost.
Our team will be at the Naples City Docks, with an extraordinary line-up of yachts and boats for sale. Set up an appointment below to receive the ultimate boat show experience. Our yacht brokers can show you any brokerage boat in the show, including those on our display.
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Saturday December 4 2021
Alafia Lighted Boat Parade, Riverview Park & Civic Center. This years parade will start at Williams Park and will conclude at Rivers Edge for awards and a special VIP party. . 5-8 pm.
Bradenton Beach Boat Parade, Parade participants will gather near the south end of Jewfish Key. The parade will head northwest along the Longboat Pass Bridge and then north up the Intracoastal Waterway. The parade will pass alongside the Bradenton Beach City Pier and end at the Bradenton Beach Marina. Best viewing from Longboat Pass Bridge , Bradenton Beach City Pier .
Cotee River Christmas Boat Parade, New Port Richie. Along the Pithlachascotee River from Millers Bayou in Port Richey to Sims Park. 6 to 8 p.m.
Daytona Beach Christmas Boat Parade. Along the Halifax River. Sponsored by the Halifax River Yacht Club to benefit the Veterans Support Fund. Watch the boats travel south along the Halifax River starting at the Seabreeze Bridge and culminate at the Halifax Harbor Marina for a truly spectacular boat show. Prime viewing areas of the parade are the Chart House Restaurant, Daytona Marina and Boat Works, City Island, Manatee Island, Halifax Harbor Marina. Starts at 6 p.m.
Dunedin Holiday Boat Parade, Decorated boats parade through the Dunedin Marina and Edgewater Park. Santa to arrive by boat for the lighting of the citys Christmas tree. Starts at Marker 1 Marina and ends at City of Dunedin Marina. Sponsored by the Dunedin Boat Club. 5-9 p.m.
Fort Myers Boat Show November 10
Downtown Fort Myers comes alive every November for one of the largest boat show displays on the Gulf Coast. Located on the historic downtown riverfront, the Fort Myers Boat Show features over 600 boats on land and in the water, representing over 130 marine manufacturers and dealers. In addition, hundreds of accessory exhibits feature everything from engines and electronics to boat lifts, boating services, and much more.
You can expect to see our team and a full line-up of yachts available for sale. Set up an appointment below for an incredible VIP experience that we have been known for, for over 50 years. Are you attending from out of town? View our visitor guide for additional activities, restaurant ideas, and more.
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Upcoming 2022 Boat Shows
2022 is just around the corner and with it, you can expect another year of exciting, fun, and informative boat shows in Southwest Florida!
Boat shows are a great way to see and learn about a variety of the new boat models for sale. Our sales team will be on hand to answer any questions, help you find the boat accessories youve looking for, and to show you the newest features in the 2022-2023 boat models!
Here are a few of the 2022 boat shows Fish Tale Boats is excited to attend in 2022.
Fun For The Whole Family
Find the Boat of Your Dreams
Kid’s 12 & Under Can Catch A Live Trout!
Kid’s 12 & Under Can Catch A Live Trout!
Live the Boat Life. Your family can enjoy a vacation every weekend when you find the boat of your dreams!
Kid’s 12 & Under Can Catch A Live Trout!
Kid’s 12 & Under Can Catch A Live Trout!
Kid’s 12 & Under Can Catch A Live Trout!
Children attending the show have the opportunity to catch live trout. This catch and release activity is safe and fun! Come and create some lasting memories when they catch “the big one”!!!
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Florida Boat Shows 2020 Calendar
The following Florida boat shows are scheduled for 2020:
Miami Boat Show February 12 – February 16, 2020 Miami International Boat Show: 3501 Rickenbacker Causeway Miami FL 33149
Miami Yacht Show: One Herald Plaza, Miami, FL 33132
Palm Beach International Boat Show March 26 – 29, 2019
101 S Flagler Dr, West Palm Beach FL 33401
Clearwater Boat ShowApril 2020
Where will HMY yacht sales be at the 2022 Stuart Boat Show?
What is open boat day in Seattle?
How many people attended the Miami Boat Show in 2019?
Celebrating 79 years and its fifth year at Miami Marine Stadium Park and Basin, the 2020 Progressive® Insurance Miami International Boat Show, presented by West Marine, drew 82,171 attendees over its five-day run ending on Presidents Day. The Show kicked off with near record crowds on opening day, Feb. 13. Momentum slowed over the weekend with rainy weather, however early reports from several boat and accessory manufacturers reported strong sales and new buyers in attendance throughout the five-day event. As a result of inclement weather, attendance is down 10 percent compared to 91,518 in 2019. The Miami Boat Show is set to cruise back to Miami Marine Stadium Park and Basin in 2021 over Presidents Day weekend, Feb. 11-15.
When is the Miami Boat Show?
Tips For Watching Holiday Boat Parades
- Drawbridges close to traffic for hours to allow boats to pass. If you need to cross a bridge along the parade route, you need a plan.
- Parks and restaurants with outdoor dining are great places to view parades. Make reservations early.
- Expect fewer party boats in parades this year.
- Wear a mask when mixing with people and maintain distance as best as possible.
- Arrive early. Most boat parades start at dusk, 6-7 pm.
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