The Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show The Big Daddy of Them All

As we were driving North along Rte 1on Thursday the opening day of the Boat Show after a brief but  exciting one night stay in Key West at the astonishingly gorgeous Southern Most Hotel on the Beach we couldnt help but feel the excitement of anticipation to attend our first Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show. If you have ever been to Key West you always think that its not possible for anything else to live up to the hype and energy as you have experienced in KeyWest . Well as we approached Ft Lauderdale for our stay at the Hilton Ft Lauderdale Beach Resort (an amazing oceanfront hotel we will review later) once over the 17th st bridge we found out differently. The city was already a buzz with bumper to bumper traffic reminiscent of years ago when Ft. Lauderdale was king of the Spring Break. This was entirely different,with people in boat shoes, Khakis,  polo shirts, all looking the part of owners or buyers of the multimillion dollar yachts on display

we were about to see.

A1A a buzz with traffic

 Some nice toys upon entering the show Bugattis and Ferraris Not to bad !

After checking in at the oceanfront Hilton and a brief refreshment we decided to head to the show to scout things out for an all out assault Friday. 

We arrived at the Bahia Mar to obtain our press passes and got a glimpse as to how well thought out the managers and producers , Show Management have tried to make this the best and biggest show ever. Everything went off without a hiccup and off we were to start our venture thru the 3million square feet of the most gorgeous yachts and marine supplies imaginable, in six different locations.

We strolled our way down to the Seafair the 228 ft Mega yacht making her first appearance at the show,where Friday we were going aboard to get reacquainted with her featured displays of art exhibits

and luxury collectibles. We initially viewed her on her  in 2007 during her maiden voyage on her first tour of the east coast.

the 228 ft mega yacht SeaFair

Our first afternoon at the show was just a tease of what was in store for the rest of the show. An amazing almost unfathomable array of the finest yachts and marine toys,luxury autos and accessories anywhere in the world in one location. Just to end the first day with an exclamation the closing evening was topped off with a display of fireworks launched from the rooftop of the Bahia Mar Hotel.

Opening night fireworks from our Oceanfront suite at Hilton Beach Resort