The Palm Beach International Boat Show stretches along Flagler Drive in West Palm Beach and offers hundreds of boats, yachts and other watercraft. Photo provided
By Steve Waters
The 42nd Palm Beach International Boat Show is the ideal venue for people looking to buy a boat, update one they currently own with the latest in electronics, engines and other marine equipment, or simply see the boating industry’s newest products.
The show is March 21-24 along Flagler Drive in West Palm Beach and features more than 800 boats and marine accessories worth more than $1.2 billion.
“One of the things I like most about the Palm Beach show is it’s not Miami,” said Michael Brown, the president of Dusky Marine in Dania Beach, noting that frequent Interstate 95 shutdowns going south affect his employees and visitors trying to get to Miami Beach. “The traffic to the Palm Beach show moves from either direction.
“The show is very easy to get to and the parking is easy.”
Dusky has exhibited at the show for more than 20 years. Brown said Palm Beach is the company’s most profitable show, coming as it does after the Fort Lauderdale show in the fall and Miami’s in February.
“It’s always been my best show, because it’s the end of the boat show year,” he said. “Plus everything is outside and it attracts my kind of customers. They can drink a beer and not worry about spilling it as they walk around.”
The vessels on display on land and in the water range from 8-foot inflatables to new and used superyachts of nearly 300 feet.
The luxurious yachts, which are lined up side by side along floating docks, are impressive to look at, but you need to be a serious buyer to get invited aboard. Companies such as Galati Yacht Sales have a variety of makes and models at the show, including Viking yachts, Princess yachts, Prestige yachts and Vahalla center consoles.
Edmiston will have its Helios 2 and A2 for sale at the show. The Helios 2 is a 168-foot Palmer Johnson that was built in 2002 and refitted in 2023. It has five cabins that can accommodate 10 guests and it has a range of 4,000 nautical miles cruising at 12 knots. The price is $15.9 million.
The A2 is a 154-foot Feadship that was launched in 1983 and refitted two years ago. It has room for 12 guests and is priced at $16.9 million.
Fishing boats are plentiful at the show. Dusky Marine is known for its rugged center consoles and will have several on display on land. Regulator, Grady-White, Pursuit and other popular builders of center console fishing boats also will have several models at the show. If your boat needs new outboard motors, the newest and biggest engines will be on display.
If you get hungry, dozens of food concessions offer a variety of dining choices, from seafood to tacos and burgers, as well as vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free items. The show also offers free how-to fishing seminars as well as educational sessions on issues within the yachting industry.
There are five show entrances, from Lakeview Avenue at the southern end to the entrance at the northern end of Flagler Drive. Show hours are noon-7 p.m. March 21, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. March 22 and 23, and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. March 24.
Tickets for the show are digital and can be purchased online at pbboatshow.com. Active military and veterans can attend the show for free on March 24.
A one-day Windward VIP ticket, $390, allows entry into the show one hour early March 22-24 and includes access to the Windward VIP Club at the Lakeside Pavilion on Flagler Drive, which features an open bar and gourmet food.
The show offers convenient, affordable parking in a number of municipal garages and private lots, with free trolley transportation.
If You Go
What: Palm Beach International Boat Show
When: March 21-24
Where: Along Flagler Drive in West Palm Beach
Admission: Adults, $33; ages 6-15, $17
Info: pbboatshow.com
Outdoors writer Steve Waters can be reached at steve33324@aol.com.
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