Boating: Annual Boat Show continues to grow

Visitors also found some changes in the layout this year.

The old Exhibition Hall, a part of the show since its inception, has been closed by the city of Fort Myers. As a result, accessory displays have been expanded in the Harborside Event Center to accommodate exhibitors who were in the Exhibition Hall in the past.

A tent has been added at the show entrance for more accessory displays.

"While we hate to lose the Exhibition Hall, we think our layout changes will be better for everyone," says John Good, show manager. "We have added booths in the refurbished Harborside Event Center and the new tent will be a nice addition to our show entrance."

More floating docks have been added to the City Yacht Basin to accommodate the increasing demand for larger boats in-water.

More than 170 boats are on display in the Yacht Basin.

The Yacht Brokerage Show at Centennial Harbour Marina features more than 70 additional pre-owned boats over 30 feet in length. A water shuttle runs continuously between the two marinas in addition to the regular shuttle buses.

On land, the show has expanded west into Centennial Park and a new display section at the corner of Hendry and Bay Street has been added. In all, more than 60 companies are showing boats from more than 140 manufacturers.

"We should have over 800 boats on display, commented Good. "This certainly makes this the largest show on the West Coast of Florida."

Fishing seminars, always a popular part of the show, have been moved to the river and have been expanded to include special seminars and a casting contest for kids. Sponsored by West Coast Nets and featuring top local guides, seminars will be held at 11:30, 12:30, 1:30, 2:30 and 3:30 each day. They will cover a wide variety of subjects from inshore and offshore fishing, tackle, live bait and cast netting.

On Saturday and Sunday at noon and 2 p.m., kids fishing and casting will be featured.

Boat show parking will be available at the City of Palms Park (Red Sox Stadium), 2201 Edison Avenue, just a few blocks away from the show site. Show admission, good for all day with unlimited trips between the sites can be purchased both at the brokerage show and at the show's main entrance at Harborside. The shuttle service stops at both sites and the remote parking area.

Admission is $8 (kids under 12 free).