Features at a Glance

NEW! Tampa Fire Rescue Boat

Come see and tour The Patriot, a 69-foot, 52-ton vessel that can shoot water 100 feet in all directions—streams of water that are so powerful they can even reach the lanes at the top of the Sunshine Skyway bridge!

Purchased with a federal government grant, this new boat allows firefighters to work quickly, safely and be responsive to the large number of cargo ships and passenger vessels that travel daily to and from the Port of Tampa.

The Patriot will be at the DISCOVER BOATING DOCK.  You'll be able to tour the boat and watch her in
action—firefighters will conduct in-water demonstrations of how the fire boat works daily.

Share

New! Discover Boating Dock — Enhance Your Boating Experience At The Show!

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 Dock will feature the following activities:

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.

Close Quarter Boat Handling*  — Presented by Outcast Watersports & the R.P.B.A
Hone your docking skills and practice close quarter maneuvering aboard outboard powered vessels. Daily sessions starting at Noon, 2pm, 4pm and 5pm; 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  Register Here

Advanced Docking Experience*  — Presented by Sailing Florida and the Recreational Power Boating Association. Work on precision maneuvering and docking on a 40-ft twin inboard powerboat.
Daily Sessions at 11am, 1pm, 3pm and 5pm   Register Here

The IPS Experience* — Presented by Volvo Penta, Tiara Yachts and Galati Yacht Sales  
Hands-on training aboard a 43' 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 Center to learn more about these exciting opportunities or register in advance to secure your boating experience. The Discover Boating Center is located just inside the entrance to the Riverwalk/In-Water Display at the Tampa Convention Center.

* 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

Share

Affordability 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 pavilion just inside the Main Hall and check out this special showcase of boats you can own for less than $250 per month. 

Pre-Game Party on the Foster’s Party Barge

Gear up for the first home game of the season! Enter to win tickets to a home game later this season and enjoy great Foster’s Beer specials at the bar.

Pre-game festivities kick-off Saturday at 5pm and end at 7pm.

Tampa Bay Lightning on Tour

Hockey fans, be here as the Lightning's intractive trailer cruises into the Tampa Bay Convention Center, with a game plan that includes your chance to score great giveaways and win prizes! 

Special appearances, Saturday, 1–3pm: Goalie Mike Smith, the Lightning Girls Bolt Brigade and team mascot Thunderbug will be in attendance to greet fans and pose for photos.

SpongeBob SquarePants

Meet Bikini Bottoms' favorite resident! Nickelodeon's SpongeBob SquarePants is making a special appearance at the show. He'll be on hand to greet his fans and pose for pictures Saturday and Sunday, September 11 & 12, from 11am–3pm. Don't forget your camera!

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.

Wing Eating Contest

Think your wing eating skills are tops? Come prove it at the show's first ever Wing-A-Thon sponsored by Foster's! The wings start "flying" at 6pm on Friday, September 10. Listen to 102.5 The Bone for your chance to be a contestant, hang out with Hooters Girls and possibly win a 4-pack of tickets to see the Tampa Bay Rays take on the LA Angels.

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.

Best Buy Boater's Education Center

Stop by and sit in on a variety of boating seminars designed to help you improve or expand your skills. Daily sessions cover topics ranging from the latest in marine electronics, to maintenance to safe boating tips, and will be hosted by industry experts. The Boater’s Education Center is located on the main floor and is presented by Best Buy and ABYC.

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.

Sign up for a boating course specially designed for women who want to enhance their boating skills. The first half of the class covers rules of the road and safe boating practices and will be held inside at the Best Buy Boater’s Education Center. The second half will feature hands-on training aboard a 26’ Four Winns boat.

For more information or advance sign up, please contact Nicole Slaughter at Thunder Marine at (727) 381-4444 or info@thundermarine.com.

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 $300 Shopping Spree

Gear up for fun—on us!  Enter for your chance to win a $300 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!