Features at a Glance

NEW! Big Boats are Back!

Whether you're in the market for a luxury cruiser, or are just dreaming about the day your ship will come in, your search for the ultimate boat starts here! Our expanded in-water display will showcase nearly three dozen best-in-class vessels, ranging in size from 40 to 97 feet! See a stunning assortment of large pleasure craft, including luxury yachts, sportfishers, sport cruisers, motor yachts, family cruisers, and more.
The number of people allowed on board select craft may be limited, both to ensure enjoyable viewing and for safety considerations; appointments may be required to board these boats.

NEW! Meet Josh Harris—Son of the late Captain Phil Harris from Discovery Channel's Deadliest Catch!

Meet & greet sessions at the show are scheduled as follows:
Friday, September 9  5pm–7pm  
Saturday, September 10  11am–1pm  AND 3pm–5pm
Sunday, September 11 11am–1pm  AND 3pm–5pm

JOSH HARRIS
A scary early childhood fishing experience kept Josh Harris from fishing on the Cornelia Marie with his father, the late Captain Phil Harris.  After going out on his own, Josh took a position as engineer on another boat, where a serious shoulder injury put him back on land.  A few years later, while cod fishing and working in a processing plant, his dad goaded him to get back in the saddle, “If you want to be a man, come on out and prove yourself.  If your brother can do it, so can you.”  It was then he joined his brother, Jake, as a deck hand on the F/V Cornelia Marie.

Boating Made Easy—On-The-Water Learning Experience
Exclusively at the Discover Boating Resource Center!

Take advantage of a variety of interactive, experiential and educational on-the-water programs to help you get started in boating or improve your boating skills. This year's Discover Boating Resource Center will feature the following activities:

Close Quarters Powerboat Handling* 
Presented by the Recreational PowerBoating Association

Hone your docking skills and practice close quarters maneuvering aboard outboard powered vessels with a professional certified instructor from the Recreational PowerBoating Association. Participants will learn the fundamentals of boat control in confined spaces including maneuvering close to fixed objects and other boats, backing down in a straight line in a narrow channel, and turning around in tight spaces. Daily sessions at Noon, 2pm, 4pm and 5pm. Class size is extremely limited; advance, online registration is recommended. Click here to register. You may also sign up at the Discover Boating Resource Center located on level one of the Tampa Convention Center beside the Riverwalk and In-water entrance. You must be at least 18 years old to participate.

Advanced Docking Experience*
Presented by the Recreational PowerBoating Association

This hands-on class is taught by RPBA certified professional instructors aboard a twin inboard powerboat and covers advanced, precision boat control techniques including managing wind and current in close quarters situations, momentum control, strategies for maneuvering in confined spaces and close to docks, piers, pilings and other vessels.

The class is geared toward boaters who have some experience with twin in-board propulsion systems, as well as those who are thinking about moving up in boat size or class. Class size is extremely limited; advance, online registration is highly recommended. Click here to register. You may also sign up at the Discover Boating Resource Center located on level one of the Tampa Convention Center beside the Riverwalk and In-water entrance. You must be at least 18 years old to participate.

Essential Boating Safety*
Presented by the Recreational PowerBoating Association

The primary responsibility of every skipper is to insure the safety of his or her vessel, the passengers and the crew. This onboard event covers critical safety elements including: how to perform a thorough pre-departure and pos-sail vessel check out; identifying and using USCG-required safety equipment, handling underway emergencies; how to conduct a pre-departure passenger safety briefing; and the correct use of a VHF radio.

These hands-on learning sessions are designed for skippers and crew of all experience levels. PLEASE NOTE: Space in each session is limited—advance registration is highly recommended. Click here to register. You may also sign up at the Discover Boating Resource Center located on level one of the Tampa Convention Center beside the Riverwalk and In-water entrance.

The Ski Boat Experience*
Presented by Bay Area Watersports　

Enjoy a 30-minute ski boat adventure on a MasterCraft boat. Rides available 1pm–4pm daily. Sign up at the Discover Boating Center.

Introduction to Sailing*
Presented by Sailtime Tampa Bay and the American Sailing Association

Sign up for a 1.5 hour introduction to sailing course aboard a Hunter Sailboat. Daily Sessions at 11am, 1pm, 3pm and 5pm; Sign up at the Discover Boating Center or  Click here to register

The Jet Boat Experience*
Presented by Barney's Motorcycle and Marine

Sign up for a jet boat ride and learn how jet boats perform in the open water. Daily Sessions at 11am, 1pm, 3pm and 5pm; Sign up at the Discover Boating Center.

The Joystick Docking Experience*
Presented by Volvo Penta, Tiara Yachts and Galati Yacht Sales

Hands-on training aboard a 36' Open Tiara yacht. Designed for boaters who are interested in learning how easy it is to dock a boat using joystick technology. Daily Sessions at 11am, 1pm, 3pm and 5 pm; Sign up at the Discover Boating Center.

Stop by the Discover Boating Resource Center to learn more about these exciting opportunities or register in advance to secure your boating experience.

The Discover Boating Resource Center is located on level one of the Tampa Convention Center beside the entrance to the Riverwalk & In-Water displays.

* Paid admission to the Tampa Boat Show is required to participate in these Discover Boating Activities

Click here to purchase tickets to the Tampa Boat Show

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NEW! Post-Show Event:  “Powerboating Made Easy” Capable — Confident — Safe

Exclusive Learning Opportunities after the Tampa Boat Show
Presented by MarineMax Clearwater and Legendary Marine & Contender Tampa

The Recreational Powerboating Association and the National Marine Manufacturers Association have teamed up for an exclusive presentation of “Powerboating Made Easy”— a highly acclaimed hands-on learning program developed by the RPBA.  

Special 3 ½ hour sessions will be held following the Tampa boat show as part of the “Discover Boating” educational series. Classes will be taught by USCG licensed, professional certified instructors from the Recreational Powerboating Association. Tuition is $79 per person and includes all textbooks, materials and LUNCH.

Participation is limited; advance registration is strongly recommended.

For more details and to register in advance click http://www.regonline.com/pmetampa

Schedule:

Saturday October 1 — MarineMax Clearwater
Session 1  8:30 AM to Noon
Lunch        Noon to 1:00 PM
Session 2  1:00 PM to 4:30 PM

Sunday October 2— Legendary Marine & Contender Tampa
Session 1  8:30 AM to Noon
Lunch        Noon to 1:00 PM
Session 2  1:00 PM to 4:30 PM

Best Buy Boater's Education Center

Enhance your boating knowledge and/or become a more confident boater. Head to the main floor of the convention center to sit in on a variety of educational boating seminars hosted by local experts. Daily sessions cover topics ranging from the latest in marine electronics to enhancing your fishing and boating knowledge.

Click here to download a list of boating seminars or here to view the schedule online.

Featured programs include:

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.

Meet Patrick Star from SpongeBob SquarePants

Straight from Bikini Bottom, SpongeBob SquarePants' best friend Patrick will visit the Tampa Boat Show on Saturday & Sunday, September 10 & 11 from 11am–3pm. Don't miss your chance to meet the lovable guy and snap a picture!

Tampa Bay Lightning

Be a part of Bolts Nation! On Saturday mascot "Thunderbug" and the Lightning Girls will be onsite to meet you from 12pm - 2pm. Also on Saturday from 12pm - 2pm, Chris Dingman and Stan Neckar from the 2004 Stanley Cup team will be at the show signing autographs".

Family fun "storms" in with video games, prizes, giveaways and much more!

 

Miss GEICO Racing Boat

Feed your need for speed and get up close to a 50-foot aerodynamic rocket ship—the four-time World Champion Miss GEICO! 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 is seeking to continue her record-setting ways and unprecedented offshore racing dominance.

The neon green catamaran missile with state-of-the-art safety equipment took the offshore racing world by storm in the spring of 2006, and five years later remains the undisputed Offshore World Champion. Team owner John Higgins, a viisionary when it comes to new race technology, continues to urge his crew to modify the boat in an effort to make Miss GEICO safer, lighter, faster and more maneuverable as she reaches unprecedented speeds on the water.

Party Barge

Enjoy live music and drink specials throughout the show. Centrally located on the in-water floating docks, the Party Barge is a great place to meet up with your boating pals and check out performances by favorite local bands.

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!  Stop by the Discover Boating Center (located at the Riverwalk entrance) to sign up for your boat ride.

Boat rides available 1–4 pm daily (weather permitting), courtesy of Bay Area Watersports, Tampa Bay’s exclusive Mastercraft dealer.

Why Visit a Boat Show?

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