Miami Boat Show and the Poker Run

Miami Boat Show and the Poker Run

Miami Boat ShowThe 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.

The Mega Yacht Eclipse

The Mega Yacht Eclipse

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!

Weather After Hurricane Sandy Hurts Boat Repairs

Weather After Hurricane Sandy Hurts Boat Repairs

Hurricane Sandy causes need for boat repairsHurricane 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.

2012 Volcano Race

2012 Volcano Race

Boaters everywhere know about the Rolex Volcano race, and photographers everywhere come to take pictures of it. If you weren’t there for the 2012 race you really missed out, because it was an awesome 6 day event from May 19th – May 26th.

With a score of ships from around the world coming to the Saint-Petersburg Yacht Club, there was more than enough to see. The second event of the campaign was a bumpy ride for the sailors and an exciting show for onlookers. With wind making it over 25 knots and storms nearly attacking ships, the event was not an easy one.

The Fastest Yacht

The first boat to complete the 300-nauticle mile course was the super yacht Nilaya. The Nilaya arrived at 20:05.06 CEST – one day, two hours, and six seconds after the race started. According to the crew of the super yacht they had a difficult start. The size of the yacht can be a hindrance if wind speed isn’t at necessary levels, and the start of the race was not as windy as they had hoped for.

The Nilaya was also the winner of last year’s Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup, but although finishing first in the second leg, was not named the overall winner. The yacht Jethou, hitting 26-knots at one point, finished the first leg quickly enough that the combined time still places the yacht as the overall winner.

The Volcanoes Two Legs

2012 Volcano Race mapThe race had two legs; the first started in Gaeta, Italy and had them round Ponza to shoot towards Capri and was about 300-nautical miles. The second leg started at the Island of Stromboli Island, where the fleet headed to Vulcano Island, and then raced for Alicudi. The second leg was roughly 241-nautical miles and put the race total at around 641-nautical miles.

The Image of the Year

The image of the year is chosen from twenty-four of the best yacht racing photographs, and has been taken from submissions by at least forty-six different photographers. Delegates then view the choices left and narrow it down to five best images. From there an independent Jury chooses the winner from that five. This year’s Jury is comprised of Christian Février, Shirley Robertson, Ben Ainslie, Antonio Palma, and Will Morris.

This year’s winner is Kurt Arrigo, who’s submission is from the Volcano Race and was taken during an opportune time where the sun had come out just long enough for the golden shot.

2012 Picture of the year

Upcoming Miami Boat Show

Upcoming Miami Boat Show

The Miami International Boat Show, one of Miami’s biggest events each year, has been running since the 1940’s and is heading our way again! This February, from the 14th to the 18th, we get to experience another amazing event for boaters and yachters from around the world.

This boat show brings tourists in from all over the world to make it an amazing spectacle every year. Even the Super Bowl get’s put on hold for it! Presidents Day weekend becomes one of the busiest times of the year in Miami to manage all of the tourists coming in to see ships and yachts of all shapes and sizes.

Tickets are already on sale for the event and preparations are being made. Tickets can even be picked up as a combo pack for the Boat Show and the Coconut Grove Arts Festival, which coincide with each other every year.
Take a look at Miami’s International Boat Show from last year!

   

 2012 Miami International Boat Show

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Did you enjoy last year’s Boat Show? Are you coming this year?

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