At the 2013 Miami Boat Show we’re looking forward to getting a look at the new Quadski that was released in mid-November 2012. The Quadski is an ATV that has an addition that others don’t, the ability to ride on water. With one push of a button, and a few seconds for transition, this ATV goes from powering through trails to making waves like a jet ski.
Make sure you come and check it out this year at the Miami Boat Show!
First in the World
Named “The World’s First High-Speed Amphibian (HSA)” the Quadski is built with a durable light-weight composite hull, and it utilizes patented water-jet technology and combines with the power of a BMW Motorrad engine and transmission for an extreme ride.
The Quadski comes with a 15-gallon tank and is available in five colors – red, blue, yellow, silver, and black – and is also on sale at dealerships in Florida, Texas, New York, Michigan, and in some Midwestern and southeastern states.
See the Quadski at the Miami Boat Show
Come to the 2013 Miami Boat Show and see the GIBBS Quadski on display at the National Marin Super Yacht Toy Store and get a closer look. Along with the Quadski, you can expect to see nearly 3,000 boats being showcased by over 2,000 companies, a wide range of marine engines, and boatloads of gear and accessories.
The Quadski converts from land to water at the push of a button, which activates the unique retractable suspension system that offers outstanding ride and handling on land, and reacts in just seconds after entering the water. The engine is a four-cylinder, electronic fuel-injected, water-cooled engine that is considered the lightest in its segment.
This HSA is over 10.5 feet long, is 5.2 feet wide, and 4.3 feet high with a wheelbase of 5.8 feet to meet applicable state and federal safety regulations.
About Gibbs Sports Amphibians
Gibbs Sports Amphibians, Inc. (BIGGS) put millions of dollars and years of work into developing the Quadski, and are manufacturing it in a 54,000-square-foot plant in Auburn Hills, Michigan. GIBBS development of the Quadski has made them a pioneer in the development of HSA technology that will lead the way to a new way to have fun with ATVs.
GIBBS other division Gibbs Amphitrucks Inc. put out similar products, but designed for military or first responders instead of for sporting.
More information about GIBBS and its HSA technology can be found at www.gibbssports.com.
All over the world people are moving off land and into the water. Houseboats are becoming bigger and better every year, and life on them is becoming more comparable to living on land thanks to technologies’ leaps forward.
Staying Connected
Just a few years ago if you wanted internet without the wires you were stuck with two options, get satellite or get over it. Now, with worldwide 3G and 4G data connections and how common mobile phones are moving into a houseboat is an easy transition with multiple options.
If you decide that it’s time for your life to move to sea you won’t have any worries about how to transition, and more and more new houseboats are coming standard with features you need for a move like that. Now that it’s so easy to keep connected after leaving land to live on a houseboat you won’t have to worry about losing contact with family and friends, or with playing your favorite online game either!
Extreme Houseboats
These days having a custom houseboat isn’t difficult, and with so many options you can have almost anything you want. There are houseboats that look like houses, like submarines, like domes, and so much more! You can have your own sea mansion to float around in, and have it as roomy as a land house!
With houseboats like the Jelly-Fish 45 and the Trilobis 65 out there, it seems like there is hardly anything that can’t be built for the sea just as well, or even better, than on land!
If you don’t want a houseboat mansion you can do what some others have been doing. Build a raft base, or have one built, and put a camper or trailer on it! This makes for an easy move back and forth from land to sea any time you want!
So if you want to travel the world on your cozy houseboat and then just roll off the raft and cruise around without having to make any real adjustments, then this is perfect for you. It also helps with keeping with a tight budget!
Live Free
With so many options out there for moving your life to the water, you can live as free as you want and nearly anywhere you want. Now you can move off land and travel the seas and still live in the comfort of a house that is still on land.
The Miami Boat Show, also known as the Miami International Boat Show, is coming back to Miami this February and it’s bringing many features with it. Along with the show you also get Fred’s Shed Interactive Learning Center, Discover Boating puts you At the Helm, Big Game Room, Customs and Border Protection, Meet the crew of OCEARCH, Welcome to the Water Center, and the Miami Boat Show Poker Run!
Miami Boat Show Features
Discover Boating
Discover Boating puts you At the Helm is giving hands on exercises for boating to help teach and improve your boating skills for only $15 per session at their 60-minute Power Boating Clinic. A 3-hour in-depth session for only $125 per seminar per person is also available – requires advanced registration.
The Big Game Room
The big game room is here celebrating its 10th year and is returning with all of your favorite events. Come and check out the Bait Rigging Station and improve your technique. You also get to see the latest products for the fishing world and the best destinations for sport fishing around the world.
Customs and Border Protection
Officers will be at the show to enroll eligible participants in the CBP(Customs and Border Protection) Local Boater Option. U.S. citizens and Green Card holders will be able to participate in this free service that allows you to report the arrival of your private vessel, make customs declarations, and be cleared for Immigration purposes by telephone. This eliminates the need to report to a port of entry in person. You must have the appropriate documentation (passport and Government issued ID’s) to register. All family members must be present to register.
Meet Chris Fischer, Captain Jody Whitworth and Captain Brett McBride
The OCEARCH crew will be here discussing how they catch, tag, and study great white sharks! Just head to the Big Game Room to find them and hear them speak on Thursday, February 14th at 4:15pm and at Convention Center Drive on Saturday, February 16th at 5:00pm.
The Water Center
Learn how to make the most out of your time on the water with this getting started seminar. Get straightforward answers from these experts to help get you started in the boating world. You also get hands-on demos to help you learn! Find out how affordable boating is compared to vacation trips to amusement parks or ball games!
Miami Boat Show Poker Run
From February 21-24 enjoy this year’s Miami Boat Show Poker Run, four days of fun for sport cruising and high-performance boaters. Make sure to register for the event and be included in the fun! Make sure to check that you meet the following requirements so that you aren’t excluded!
1. Be an active member with Florida Powerboat Club. Download the registration form here.
2. Have a fully insured, 25-80 foot boat with proof of insurance. Insurance must be submitted in the form of a declaration page (Accurately detailed engine data, and horsepower and performance specs must also be included).
3. All captains and co-drivers must attend the safety meeting prior to departing at the Biscayne Marriott Miami. Captains must sign a waiver for compliance with the Poker Runs guidelines that include agreeing to no consumption of alcohol or medications that diminish operation skills prior to or during the event.
4. All occupants must also sign the waiver prior to departure.
5. All occupants must wear USCG approved floatation devices during the event. Exceptions may be made for Lifeline or other specialty safety products that carry an official USCG approval.
6. All vessels included in the Poker Run must be in compliance with USCG safety standards.
As the world’s largest mega yacht, the Eclipse includes two helicopter pads, two swimming pools, several hot tubs, 24 guest cabins, and a disco hall. The security system is fitted with an intruder detection system and a German-built missile defense system. Also equipped is an anti-paparazzi laser system, which although it does not fire lasers at the paparazzi it does blind their cameras. This system is not always online, but is activated when a possible paparazzi is nearby.
Mega Yacht Protection
The mega yacht Eclipse has even more protection than mentioned previously. The master suite and bridge are both fitted with armor plating and with bulletproof windows to offer superior protection for its passengers. This, along with the intruder detection system and the missile defense system, makes the mega yacht Eclipse not only a wonder to look at but also a safe house on the water!
As you can see in the videos, this is a beautiful and exceptionally large mega yacht. Eclipse was launched in June of 2009 and arrived the following September in Denmark for testing. In December 2010 this mega yacht was delivered to its owner, Roman Abramovich, after all testing was completed. Starting February 2011 Eclipse was made available as a charter yacht through SuperYachtsMonaco, a yacht broker based out of Monaco.
You can also see that the paparazzi shield system is not always on, as the videos were possible to take. The system is enabled manually and will continue to function until disabled, which would be when the threat of paparazzi is gone.
Come and check out the upcoming Miami International Boat Show this February and see many mega yachts visiting us just for this show! Get your tickets now and join us at the show from February 14-18 and enjoy the yachts with us!
Hurricane Sandy did some real damage. All along the East-Coast there are boats waiting for repairs to get done so that they can be ready for spring sailing. There are so many repairs needing to be done, and the cold weather is hindering certain ones. This is going to cause a major backlog on boat repairs, and could upset some customers who want to be boating in the spring.
So Many Repairs, So Little Time
Gelcoat and fiberglass repairs are impeded by the cold weather and are going to have to wait for better conditions. With many service and repair yards still out of commission after Hurricane Sandy the few that are up have their hands full. This, plus the cold weather, may make some very unhappy boaters.
Repair yards are telling boaters that if they have minor scratches to be repaired that they should wait until later to focus on it, rather than end up backlogged behind a line of other boats getting hulls, and other serious damage repaired. Customers are being given a list of choices and are being told what is absolutely necessary, and what is not, for getting their boats in working order.
An estimated 65,000 boats were damaged or destroyed, and although business for repair shops is at a high the repairs will take time. So remember that if your boat is usable and won’t take on new damage by being used, then wait for the bulk of major repairs to be done before scheduling to have your coat refinished so that you don’t end up waiting for weeks, or longer, to have it done.
Insurance Matters
With so many destroyed boats, and damaged marine facilities, the facilities have had to move some of the boats out of their docks and in to storage areas. Doing this can cause a lapse in your policy because storing your ship in an unspecified location is not covered.
Maritime Program Group has stepped in to help, and has agreed to provide an extension of coverage under the NAS’ Marina Operators Legal Liability section for policy holders. You still need to coordinate with your insurance company, but this is a huge help to boat owners all along the East-Coast. It is strongly recommended for the insured to enter in to a storage agreement with a marina that has had to store their boat at another location, and for you to contact your insurance provider immediately.
At the 2013 Miami Boat Show we’re looking forward to getting a look at the new Quadski that was released in mid-November 2012. The Quadski is an ATV that has an addition that others don’t, the ability to ride on water. With one push of a button, and a few seconds for transition, this ATV goes from powering through trails to making waves like a jet ski.
