Oct 30, 2009 11:42 am US/Eastern
Ft. Lauderdale Boat Show Sails Into 50th Year
(CBS4)
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The Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show celebrates it's 50th Anniversary in South Florida this year.
Courtesy of Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show/CBS
The Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show has hit the water and thisyear's 50th anniversary edition promises to deliver morebig boats than ever before. Over $3 billion worth of boats,yachts, super yachts, electronics, and engines will be on exhibit forfive days in the "Yachting Capital of the World."
Organizers are hoping for stronger sales than last year. "We've seen an uptick in ticket sales," said organizer Andrew Doole. "Last year, credit was impossible. People had a total lack of confidence."
But with the improving economy, Doole figures things should get better. "Credit has eased as the lenders have money to lend and brokers are working with the people to do that. We do feel that there's going to be a lot of sales at the show."
Doole says the boat show pumps about $500 million into the local economy. "It's the equivalent of having two super bowls in town at the same time to the local economy."
One other factor: used boats sales have driven down the new boat prices. "The new boats have come down in price," said Elias Delatorre from Plantation Boat Mart. "Now we're buying the 2010s cheaper than we were buying the 2008s."
The Boat Show will take up more than 3 million square feet, making it the world's largest boat show in terms of exhibit space. Those who attend the show will be transported between six locations on a network of water taxis, riverboats and bus shuttles.
The boat show will be held at:
•Bahia Mar Yachting Center
•Greater Fort Lauderdale/ Broward County Convention Center
•Hilton Fort Lauderdale Marina (formerly the Fort Lauderdale Grande Hotel & Yacht Center)
•Hyatt Regency Pier 66 Hotel & Marina
•Hall of Fame Marina
•Las Olas Marina
Buyers in the market for a new boat or yacht will have a chance to talk to representatives and dealers on site ready to start negotiations. Test drives, however, are not allowed.
Show hours are:
Thursday, October 29: 10 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Friday, October 30: 10 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Saturday, October 31: 10 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Sunday, November 1: 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Monday, November 2: 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
In addition to all the boats and vendors, there will be special fishing clinics for the kids on Saturday and Sunday and also for the ladies, who will learn "how to land the Big Ones". Throughout the show, the crew from Ship Shape TV will be there doing live tapings; show attendees can be part of the live studio audience.The Fort Lauderdale Boat Show runs until November 2nd.
Click Here for ticket prices and more information.
Click Here to take a virtual tour of the boat show.
CBS4's Christina Loren contributed to this report.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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