Palm Beach International Boat Show Recap
We just returned from the recent Palm Beach International Boat Show, and like Florida itself, it’s a lot to try and sum up in a few words. Yes it was warm, and sunny and breezy, then humid, then breezy again. Still in all a welcome change from the weather the rest of the country is experiencing this time of year.
The show itself has a reputation for being “a bit more laid back” than its Ft. Lauderdale counterpart in November each year, but both shows are in the top 10 nationally, so “laid back” still means you can see about 1,000 boats, about 100 of which may be megayachts exceeding 80 feet in length. I won’t even walk aboard those anymore, because I feel bad when the salesman sees my Costco clothing and SuperCuts hairstyle. I’m joking; the hosts on these ships are very friendly and may even serve you caviar from one perfectly-gelled pinky fingernail.
This show has seen over 50,000 attendees in the past, and yet in the several days I was there, I rarely felt a crush of humanity bearing down upon me. I will concede that the show was more pleasant (yes my Old Guy is showing) than the Ft. Lauderdale scene. That one gets the young and beautiful crowd, while Palm Beach leans a bit older and more “established,” though both shows bring a wide demographic, and all seemed to be having a good weekend.
Importantly, quite a few were spending their money on new boats. I’m a 5-time boat owner and I know the value of a good brokerage boat, but I’ve also been swayed more than once by a deep boat-show discount or unique offering. I spoke to several people who felt this was a healthy industry weekend. Very good to see and hear.
The show was well-laid out, with plenty of meandering paths along the docks and plenty of dealer booths providing shade, and a way to escape the moving flow of drooling boat fans and owners with “2-foot-itus,” which every boat guy or gal can attest is a real disease with no known cure. Folks, the first step is admitting we have a problem.
And speaking of Ferraris! There were boats made of, or made to resemble, sports cars on the outside but with planing hulls and boat controls inside. I think I heard, “$100k” and I saw many people taking pics and posing with them, and this is where that little devil on my shoulder whispered, ”It makes a lot of sense to have two boats…” You know, one boat for family and friends and fishing and overnights on a mooring, and another to pull up to the gas dock and watch jaws drop, or to cruise down the canal and get attaboy thumbs-ups from even the snootiest waterfront homeowner. I mean, cool is cool.
Ok, I gotta go. Time to check in with my Sponsor. She says, no more boat shows for a while.
We’ll see.
