Miami boat test
The Miami International Boat Show started Wednesday for me — I spent the day at the Sea Isle Marina, running new Yamaha and Mercury power on four in-water boats. The winds slapped at the flags throughout the marina basin and roughed up the bay water just enough to create decent testing conditions.
The video below offers a slight feel for the vibe here in the somewhat sunny South. I taped the short segment aboard the Skeeter SX 2250, with company rep Joe Mercurio.
On Thursday, crowds arrived early to the Miami Beach Convention Center, as the show opened to the public. Long lines formed at 10 a.m. in front of Exhibit Halls A and B. Inside, several new boats were being introduced, including the Grady White 375 Freedom, Pathfinder 2600, Scout 350 LXF and Boston Whaler 350 Outrage, among others.
Mercury unveiled its Joystick Steering for Outboards, and Yamaha’s new Helm Master system, including joystick — which I previewed last fall — has made its appearance on the show floor and at the marina as well.
Garmin displayed its new GPSMAP 8000 series, Raymarine debuted the new Dragonfly, a CHIRP-powered sonar/GPS with DownVision sonar imaging, and Furuno brought out its CHIRP sounder.
This is just a sampling of the new products to see in Miami Beach this weekend. More detail on all of these new products will follow in the coming days. But the show is going on now, so come on down and join us in the fray. (Shot through the lens of a GoPro.)
