Calling all sailors and yacht enthusiasts

The 47th Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show is back in town October 26 through October 30. The world’s largest boat show, covering more than 3,000,000-square feet of exhibit space spread out over six locations, it showcases more than $1.6 billion worth of the latest sea-going crafts, accessories and electronics from virtually every marine manufacturer and builder in the world.

The ‘Expansive Superyachts Showcase’ at the Bahia Mar Yachting Center previews multi-million dollar boats along the waterfront, including a 160-foot Haakvoort, a 120-foot Broward, a 191-foot Lurssen, a 160-foot Northern Marine and Perini Navi’s 132-foot Lady Lauren.

Lining the Bahia Mar’s Face Deck, the “Superyacht Builders and Designers Tent” is where you’ll find the finest in custom engineering, design and decor. Captivating displays from numerous exotic residential and resort island destinations will also be featured.

Seven ‘Accessories Tents’ will be based at this marina, too. Each will feature the latest in classic, modern, high-tech and high-style for everything nautical. The leading finance and insurance companies will also be on hand to offer information on how to finance or insure your new boat.

The should-not-be-missed “Inter-national Yacht Builders Pavilion” at Bahia Mar is where some of the most talented yacht builders, designers, and shipyards will display some of the extravagant options for yacht building. And on its North Side, fans can check out powerboats, sport fishing boats, family cruisers, high performance boats, brokerage boats and superyachts, while the South Side offers sportfishers, motoryachts, picnic boats, trawlers, express cruisers, superyachts and brokerage yachts.

Las Olas Marina will be home to “Cats on Las Olas,” the popular catamaran-only section which features both power and sail types, such as the Manta 47 from Manta Cats, Charter Cats’ Prowler 480, and The Moorings M4300, M4000, and M4600. This marina also holds a large display of brokerage boats in all sizes from the top builders and brokers in the industry.

The Greater Fort Lauderdale/Broward County Conven-tion Center will be where to find the “Families, Fishing and Fun” exhibits. Here, you’ll find an enormous selection of fishing boats, family cruisers, runabouts, center consoles, jet boats, engines, fishing equipment and accessories galore. Marine seminars and the “Kids’ Fishing Village” will also be attractions worth checking out. Across from the street, the “Sailfish Pavilion” will spotlight even more runabouts, trailers, personal watercraft, inflatable boats, high performance boats, center consoles, cuddy cabins, family cruisers and accessories.

Across from each other on the Intercostals Waterway, Pier 66 Marina will be where to find luxurious new and brokerage motoryachts and sailing yachts, and at the Fort Lauderdale Grande Hotel & Yacht Club will be home to the “Queen of the Show” and Feadship’s dazzling 198-foot Blue Moon.

Brokerage yachts will be on hand at the Hall Of Fame Marina, sharing the spotlight with an Exotic Car Showcase.

All sites are easily accessible by land or water, be it a water taxi (an all-day pass is $10), a complimentary riverboat ride or complimentary shuttle bus service.

www.showmanagement.com