Miami has one of the most popular boat shows in the nation. It’s always a highly anticipated event and a must-see for many in the industry, hardcore boating enthusiasts, and anyone in South Florida who enjoys the boating lifestyle.
From 10-foot dinghies to 100-plus-foot motor yachts, the Miami Boat Show has something for everyone. Over 100,000 people are expected to attend this year’s boat show in sunny South Florida from February 12-16, 2025. The economic impact on the local economy is estimated to be nearly $1 billion.
The exhibition is spread out over 6 locations in Miami and Miami Beach. There is transportation available between venues. Research the vendors and manufacturers you want to see and plan your visit carefully to ensure you can take it all in and maximize your time. The locations include:
- Miami Beach Convention Center
- Pride Park
- Herald Plaza
- Venetian Marina
- Museum Park Marina
- Superyacht Miami at Yacht Haven Grande Miami
Outboard Boats
My personal favorite attraction to the boat shows each year is all the large outboard power boats. It has been amazing to see the development and evolution of outboard-powered boats and their engines. These are massive boats with colossal outboards. One huge advantage of these boats is that they can run in very shallow water and are still capable of landing on a secluded beach somewhere without the need for a tender.
When I started boating, twin outboards were the maximum you could put on a production boat. The concurrent outboards available at the time maxed out at 250 horsepower. This meant outboard-powered boats were limited to a size of around 30′. In the mid-2000s, with the advent of electronic controls and engines reaching 300 HP, we saw the first production boats with three outboards capable of pushing 36′ boats.
The evolution continued with ever-larger engines and boats. Today, the sky is the limit with what has become the boating equivalent of an arms race. Scout is about to launch the largest outboard-powered boat ever built. It’s the Scout 670 LX – a 67-foot luxury sport fishing boat powered by five (5) Mercury V-12 600 HP engines, producing 3,000 HP. It has an estimated top speed of over 60 MPH.
New Products
Yamaha Wireless Helm Control
Boat controls have now entered the realm of video game controls. Yamaha’s new Helm Master EX Wireless Control allows you to control the boat from anywhere onboard your vessel. Warning: you should never attempt to control your boat while not onboard. The control resembles that of a video game controller. It gives you the convenience of being wherever you must be while maintaining complete control of your vessel.
The wireless controller is a huge win for captains with no or inexperienced crews. The electronic control system is available in single-engine to quad configurations. The handheld unit also displays important information like heading, speed, and depth. It includes all the recognizable features, like autopilot modes and programmed man-overboard maneuvers. The system includes a charging cradle for when not in use.
Garmin Marine Cameras
Garmin’s new marine cameras integrate with your Garmin navigation systems and screen displays. They provide a visual reference that includes on-screen visual markers to further aid in navigation. Together with your other Garmin electronics, you know have an additional visual reference when performing docking maneuvers or navigating in close quarters.
These waterproof cameras render high-definition display views in standard, wide, and fisheye angles. They can also pan, tilt, and zoom in to areas requiring additional detail.
