Annual Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show underway

100,000 people expected to attend annual show featuring boats, yachts, watercraft

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – The annual boat show underway in Fort Lauderdale held a special preview Thursday.

Boats, yachts, watercraft as far as the eye can see cover seven locations and over 3 million square feet of space. The Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show is now in its 55th year, and crowds are bigger than ever with 100,000 people expected over the next five days.

The folks that attend the show aren't just here to watch.

Christopher Hill is the captain of the Sheer Bliss -- a 75-foot motor yacht up for grabs at a cool $1.2 million.

"We've had people from Fort Lauderdale, Chicago and Little Rock, Arkansas. All of them were serious buyers," said Hill. "It's a beautiful boat to take out to the Bahamas. It's got all the toys, jet skis and kayaks."

At the very least, this baby attracts the pretty girls. Katie Talan is finalist on Slovakia's "X-Factor." She thinks it's the perfect setting for her next video.

But even if you left your sea legs at home, there are plenty of luxury cars and even helicopters to buy. Dreams of flying over South Florida traffic makes one helicopter tempting transportation.

"Fit six in the back, one passenger and the pilot right here," said Jeff Angelos, of Bell Helicopter.


About the Author:

Liane Morejon is an Emmy-winning reporter who joined the Local 10 News family in January 2010. Born and raised in Coral Gables, Liane has a unique perspective on covering news in her own backyard.