Features at a Glance

Thanks for your continued support. We're currently updating for 2010.

Catch the crew of the Time Bandit!

Meet Co-Captains John and Andy Hillstrand from Discovery Channel’s popular show /lib/img/gallery/img0877102650.jpgThe Deadliest Catch, sponsored by Foster's Beer. Be Enormous with Fosters.
 

The Hillstrand brothers own and operate the 113-foot house aft boat Time Bandit and fish the Bering Sea for king and opilio crab. The exploits of the Time Bandit and its crew as well as other Bering Sea fishermen are featured weekly on the Discovery Channel.

 
The Hillstrands will be on hand to meet attendees and sign autographs in the exhibit hall of the Tampa Convention Center on Friday, September 11 from 1pm–3pm and from 4pm–7pm; Saturday, September 12 they will be available from 11am–1pm and 4pm–7pm. The Hillstrand’s will also have Time Bandit merchandise for sale.

NEW! Affodability Pavilion

Think owning a boat is out of your reach? Think again! When it comes to enjoyable ways to spend your leisure time, boating is more affordable than you may realize. Be sure to stop by this new pavilion just inside the Main Hall and check out this special showcase of boats you can own for less than $300 per month. 

Compare the cost of boating to a single day at an amusement park or  trip to any major league game, and you'll see that dollar for dollar, boating is a bargain! Cost Comparison Tool

Featured Boats include:

Barney's Motorycle & Marine -- Yamaha FX-SHO Cruiser, Sea Doo Speedster 150  
Bay Area Watersports -- Mastercraft X-1/205
Central Marine -- Sea Hunt 186 Ultra
Freeman Eckley --- Edgewater 170 CC
Gulfcoast Boat Sales -- Allcraft 1750 CC, Mitzi Skiff 15 CC
Jack's Interbay -- Shallowater 18l ProAngler
MarineMax -- Sea Ray 205 Sport, Sea Ray 185 Sport
Outcast Watersports -- Clearwater 16 Bateau Super Sport, Palm Beach 161
SunRay Marine -- Rinker 192 Bow Rider, Carolina Skiff 18JVX
Thunder Marine -- Hydra-Sports 190 Bay Bolt
               

Green Boating Zone

Expanded for 2009! Learn about the latest in eco-friendly boating practices and products. See new boats, including the recently introduced Endeavour Electric Hybrid boat, as well as accessories and technologies, that can make it easy for you to "boat green" and minimize your impact on the marine environment while maximizing the performance and efficiency of your boat.  Click here for a complete list of Green Products.

Tampa Boat Show Turns Red, White and Blue

To thank active duty military, law enforcement and fire fighters for service to the Tampa community, the 2009 Tampa Boat Show is offering FREE Admission throughout the three-day event to those who present a valid ID upon admission.

US Coast Guard Boating Advisory Trailer

Learn how to handle emergencies on the water. The Coast Guard's Boating Advisory Trailer — Public Awareness Kit, or BAT-PAK, is an interactive mobile program and showcase designed to inform and educate boaters about equipment that greatly increases their chances of surviving a mishap or emergency while boating.

BAT-PAK features a center console boat-style watercraft simulator, loaded with navigational programs, weather patterns and various water obstacles you can use to test your boating skills. You can also check out some of the most advanced safety equipment available today and learn why life jackets are so important.

Meet the Mastercraft Wakeboard Pros

Top riders Zane Schwenk, Will Christian and Ty Udell will be hanging out at the Bay Area Watersports booth from 1-4 pm on Saturday, September 12th.

Bay Area Watersports is located in the main exhibit hall booth D-3.

Enter to Win a fabulous three-day/two-night stay for two at the luxurious Palm Island Resort

A true island resort, located along the Intracoastal Waterway on Florida’s southwest gulf coast Palm Island Resort features two miles of pristine private beach on the Gulf of Mexico. Guests stay in privately owned tropical villas and can enjoy a variety of activities including boating, fishing, snorkeling, golf, tennis, canoeing, kayaking and much more. Golf carts, bicycles and walking are the only means of transportation on the resort.

Free Power Boat Rides

Experience the fun of boating for yourself. Once you're out on the water we're sure you'll agree that life really is better with a boat!  Sign up for a fantastic boat ride at the tent next to the US Coast Guard BAT PAK Trailer (located on the Riverwalk). Boat rides courtesy of Bay Area Watersports – Tampa Bay’s exclusive Mastercraft dealer. Available from
1–4 pm daily (weather permitting).

Miss GEICO Racing Boat

See Miss GEICO, one of the world's fastest offshore racing boats. Powered by the same turbine engines that flew missions in the first Gulf War, Miss GEICO is capable of reaching speeds of more than 185 miles per hour and has set two world records.

Tampa Boat Show Fishing Seminars

Don't let these get away! Daily sessions offer an informative and entertaining way to improve your fishing knowledge and expand your skills.
Click here for the seminar times and dates.

Why Visit a Boat Show?

Hear what the Boating Guy has to say about why you should visit a boat show. Click here.

Win a $500 Shopping Spree

Gear up for fun—on us!  Enter for your chance to win a $500 Shopping Spree at the Tampa Boat Show.
The winner will also be awarded two free tickets to the Tampa Boat Show.

Enter to win now!