Anyone going to the Ft.L Boat show this week (Oct 28-31st)? (Fort Myers: for sale)

[beach43ofus]

I'm going Friday morning ~10:30 to 2:30, for the 1st time. I'm not buying until next year, so just going to look, and learn.

I know this is mostly larger yachts, but I'm only looking at 32'-38' crossover's, w/ dual outboards. The web site says they'll be some smaller yachts there like Sea Ray Sundancer's 34'OB, Regal 36 XO, Pursuit 325DC, Boston Whaler 325 Conquest, Scout 350LXZ, & Galeon 325GTO.

Any tips on parking, or taking the water taxi there? We have our tickets in hand that we bought and printed off the internet. They said you cannot buy tickets there at the show.

I'll likely only get onto ~5 boats, & I know to wear socks because they make you take your shoes off on the dock before boarding. We'll bring N-95 masks for when we go inside the cabin's.

Is there anything special we need to know? I don't think we need appointments to speak to the sales persons, or to board these smaller boats. I've been to 2 smaller boat shows in FLA, but never one this large.

I bought the 2 day passes in case 4 hours isn't enough, and we need to return. We are staying with family in Jupiter to the North for 3 nights.

[beach43ofus]

Maybe I'll be the only one there

[beach43ofus]

Originally Posted by KeilaSavant

Also, forget parking, it's a nightmare, always has been.


Too many people and lookie-lous, especially old folks who have nothing else to do.

Nailed it! parking, shuttle, entry maze through the exhibitor tent, food, navigating the show, hoards of people who have no intention of buying anything clogging up the piers & boats...all horrendous.

I couldn't believe how poorly organized, and executed the entire show was.

I did get to see all 8 boats I wanted to see, but finding them was beyond frustating.

The boat manufacturers are all 6-12 out on production. They are selling 2023 models now.

Overall a very bad experience.

[City Guy997S]

Originally Posted by beach43ofus

Nailed it! parking, shuttle, entry maze through the exhibitor tent, food, navigating the show, hoards of people who have no intention of buying anything clogging up the piers & boats...all horrendous.

I couldn't believe how poorly organized, and executed the entire show was.

I did get to see all 8 boats I wanted to see, but finding them was beyond frustating.

The boat manufacturers are all 6-12 out on production. They are selling 2023 models now.

Overall a very bad experience.

You didn't mention the prices.............INSANITY!

You might like the Palm Beach show in March, its smaller easier to do in a day.

[beach43ofus]

Originally Posted by City Guy997S

You didn't mention the prices.............INSANITY!

You might like the Palm Beach show in March, its smaller easier to do in a day.

Fort Myers' show is November 11-14, so I'll go to that one too.

Yes, the prices are high because they are 6-12 months out on production. There are almost no new boats for sale, so you must order one, and then wait months to get it. It's a seller's market. Same as cars and houses.

[JacquesMeihaufer]

Why would boats be like cars and houses? raw materials? labour?

[Lincolnian]

I saw $180 and $150 parking near entrance. The lots were all packed.

[City Guy997S]

Originally Posted by Lincolnian

I saw $180 and $150 parking near entrance. The lots were all packed.

Those used to be $50-75!

A few years back I had an uncle that lived in Harbour Beach (behind Pier 66). Parked at his house and called a cab (yeah cab, no uber gouging). $7 cab ride! Leaving was slightly more of a hassle because the cab line is usually 30+ people long.

If I was buying a 1mm boat, I still can't see paying $150 to park.

[blueherons]

Originally Posted by beach43ofus

Nailed it! parking, shuttle, entry maze through the exhibitor tent, food, navigating the show, hoards of people who have no intention of buying anything clogging up the piers & boats...all horrendous.

I couldn't believe how poorly organized, and executed the entire show was.

I did get to see all 8 boats I wanted to see, but finding them was beyond frustating.

The boat manufacturers are all 6-12 out on production. They are selling 2023 models now.

Overall a very bad experience.

Poorly organized?

Do you realize 90% of the docks are built just for the boat show? There are great maps of the area. All of the restaurants and indoor convention space are floating, temporary docks.

I go almost every year. Was there this year on Sunday and had a blast.

FWIW, if you want a boat next year, order it now. Many like Triton and Grady White are on 9-12 month wait lists. Even pontoon boats have a four to six month waiting list.

My girlfriend just sold a 72 foot Viking and was gorgeous! Fortunately we were able to go on a lot of the bigger boats.