More than just a look at boating’s latest, this Florida Event offers fun for the whole family
Predicted to be the largest event in its 43-year history, the 44th Annual Fort Myers Boat Show will take place in downtown Fort Myers from November 17-20 at the Harborside Event Center and City Yacht Basin. The show will wind along the banks of the Caloosahatchee River, in the heart of the historic River District, and feature both indoor, outdoor and in-the-water display areas with more than 500 boats from 100 boat lines, 160 accessory booths and the full gamut of how-to and boating-information booths.
New and seasoned boaters and anglers will find a plethora of information about the newest craft, latest electronics, accessories, motors, boat lifts and other supplies, as well as fishing trips and other opportunities with local pros.
Visitors will be able to view just about every type of boat imaginable including inflatables, personal watercraft, skiffs, bay boats, flats boats, center console boats, pontoon boats, deck boats, cruising boats, performance boats and more. In-water at The City Yacht Basin, both new and brokerage boats up to nearly 80-feet in length will be on display.
Everything from engines and electronics to docks and boat lifts, to all types of marine services to clothing and nautical gift items will be exhibited at the Harborside Event Center.
Considered as one of the premier boat shows on Florida’s west coast, visitors will be able to attend seminars on fishing and boat safety. Also, there will be a large area devoted to kayaking, with seminars, products displays and information about Lee County’s Great Calusa Blueway paddling trails.
The U.S. Coast Guard will return this year with an interactive boating safety equipment display.
Fishin’ Frank’s Fishin’ Village will host its own mini-fishing show in Centennial Park, with tackle displays, a seminar area with local charter captains talking about inshore and offshore fishing, a casting tank, and the popular fishing simulator where visitors can experience their own virtual battles and reel-ins with all types of fish, from bass to marlin.
Food and drink at the Boat Show include a food court, as well as the Harborside Café with relaxed seating and TVs for sports viewing. In Centennial Park, event-goes will find the popular Everglades Barbecue Tent and Yacht Basin Concessions, with a variety of seafood and fare. And, right next door, the Yacht Basin Pub offers cold beer, wine and cocktails. There also are many restaurants within walking distance.
Activities geared especially for kids and shopping opportunities such as clothing, sun glasses and nautical-themed gift items, round out the activities at the Boat Show.
The Fort Myers Boat Show is owned by the Southwest Florida Marine Industries Association, whose membership includes just about every boat dealer and marine-related company in Southwest Florida. The Association has protected the rights of boaters and promoted boating and the marine industry in Southwest Florida for more than 40 years.
The main entrance to the 44th Annual Fort Myers Boat Show is at the corner of Bay Street and Dean Street. The show is spread out through the Harborside Event Center, along Edwards Drive and Centennial Park to The Fort Myers Yacht Basin.
Admission is $10.00 per person, with children under 16 free with a paid adult admission. For parking, directions and more information visit goboatingflorida.com/fort-myers-boat-show/.
Boat shows and other outdoor events abound during the winter months in Florida. The City of Fort Myers offers many of these festivals that both tourists and visitors enjoy. That’s part of what influenced GL Homes to build its newest community there, popular Marina Bay. Located along the scenic Treeline Corridor, these Ft. Myers homes affords residents easy access to all that Fort Myers has to offer. Marina Bay features a selection of gorgeous one- and two-story single-family residences and villas, priced from the $250,000s to the $400,000s for families of all sizes looking to settle on the Southwest Coast of Florida.
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