Strictly Sail Miami, is or isn't?

[Sanders]

I was considering a trip to Miami in February for the Strictly Sail boat show, but when I checked the web site became a bit confused by all the power boat info and promotions.Do any of you have experience with this show? Is it worth it for someone whose only interest is sail?The West Coast show at Jack London Square is all sail, and well worth the time. But this looks a bit different.What was your experience?SandersSatellite Beach, FL

 

[Bob Reitz]

Strictly sail

If you go to the Miami marina it is all sail, there is another marina that has the Mega motor yachts, and the convention center has power boats and any accessory, parts, furniture, almost anything you would ever need or want for a boat. They have shuttle buses that run between the three locations. It is definitely worthwhile. In my opinion.

 

[Benny]

It is the Big Daddy!!

I echo Bob's comments, We usually go every year to the Sail section and we take our shopping list as you will find every equipment vendors in one place offering great discounts. The seminars are great. The section at the Convention Center has some great electronic vendors. Stuff that is common to sail and power boats at deep discount prices. You will find boatmakers display their complete lines as opposed to some other shows where they only take two or three. This show attracts the fellow sailors from the Caribbean and South America so this is a truly International Show. See you there.

 

[Landsend]

there will be more than enough sailboats

plus accessories, plus powerboats all at different locations with free bus service in between.Well worth it.

 

[Mike]

Way worth it

This is a BIG boat show. I have been to the Miami show about four times (it conveniently coincides with my kid's winter school break and is a great time to visit Grandpa in Miami), and I have never had time to even try and get to the power boat portions of the show. The sailboat show is that extensive. Lots of in-water sailboats and related vendors/displays right there on site. On its own, it would be one of the biggest boat shows in the country. Combined with the powerboat venues, it is huge. If I remember correctly, there was one big indoor powerboat/vendor site and at least one in-water powerboat venue as well. All for one admission price with shuttle buses between. For extra fun, there is also a simultaneous, separate "pre-owned" luxury yacht show in Miami Beach. If you have a couple of days to spend going to boat shows, it is a great time.

 

[Don s/v Tellico]

Great show to attend

the entire Miami show is the grandaddy of em all, because it combines power and sail, large and small, etc. But, the show is 75% power, 25% sail. There are many vendors in sail section, and zillions of vendors in the power sections (mainly convention center.) But the sailboat display is of select models, and more and more cats than monos. It's not as big a display as the fall Annapolis sail show where basically every model of most lines is presented. If you do the Annapolis sail show, you should adjust expectations a little for the Miami sail portion of the show. But, you can't geat standing on Biscayne Bay in the warm sunshine looking at boats. Park in the city, NOT at the beach. Buses go between all the sites. Get a 2 day ticket and plan on doing two days. You can't cover it all in 1 day, and you'll leave wishing you got back to so and so.

 

[Blue Eyes]

Where to park?

I'm going to the Miami show for the 1st time before the 420 Midwinters at the US Sailing center in Jensen Beach. I'm mainly interested in equipment - radar towers, line etc. Is the Convention Center the place to start or is there equipment at the Miami Marina? Any suggestions on where to park?

 

[Don s/v Tellico]

Park downtown Miami...

get there early, there are lots accoss the blvd from Bayside which is where the Sail show is. You can take the shuttles from there to anywhere you want.If you go out to the beach, go very early and expect to take a long time getting back. Traffic is terrible, absolute gridlock.

 

[Chris]

Strictly Sail - Chicago

The Strictly Sail show in Chicago (1st weekend in Feb) is all sailboats -- all sailors!