Last weekend, Scott and I headed north to the Stuart Boat Show to see what this long running Florida boat show is all about and what kind of boats and exhibitors it attracts. The drive from South Florida took us about an hour and a half on a Sunday which was an easy and scenic trip up the coast.
Where the Stuart Boat Show is Located
The Stuart Boat Show is held in downtown Stuart Florida along the St Lucie River. The event is typically centered around Flagler Park and the Stuart Riverwalk area which makes it very walkable and easy to navigate. With docks directly on the river and exhibitor tents set up on land it creates a nice mix of boats and products all in one compact location.
Stuart itself is often called the Sailfish Capital of the World and has deep boating roots with easy access to the Intracoastal Waterway the Atlantic Ocean and the Okeechobee Waterway which is why boating events like this are a natural fit for the area.
A Little History of the Stuart Boat Show
The Stuart Boat Show has been around for decades and has grown into a staple boating event on the Treasure Coast. While it does not compete in size with major South Florida shows like Fort Lauderdale or Palm Beach it serves a very specific boating audience. The show is geared toward local boaters fishermen cruisers and buyers looking for practical boats they can actually use in Florida waters.
Over the years the show has evolved but it has remained more of a regional community focused boat show rather than a luxury yacht showcase.
The Size and Layout of the Stuart Boat Show
Compared to Trawlerfest in Stuart, which previously only had about seven tents and roughly twelve boats, the Stuart Boat Show was noticeably larger. That said it is still considered a small boat show overall.
There were approximately
- 30 indoor exhibitors
- 30 outdoor tents and booths
- 4 docks filled with boats
Most of the boats on display were center consoles which clearly shows where the demand is in this market. Our main goal attending the Stuart Boat Show was to look for Great Loop capable boats. While there were not many trawlers or loop friendly cruisers on display we were able to tour one boat that really fit the bill.
Touring a 40′ Mainship Trawler
The highlight of the day for us was touring a 40 foot Mainship Trawler. This boat was a 2007 model and surprisingly it smelled perfectly fine which is always a big deal when stepping aboard an older trawler. Watch our Youtube episode (link below) for a tour of her.
Mainship trawlers are extremely popular for the Great Loop and for good reason. Mainship was known for building efficient comfortable and practical cruising boats that offered great interior volume without excessive draft or height. Many Mainship models can clear bridges handle inland waterways and still cruise comfortably on open water.
They were built with simplicity in mind and are often praised for their fuel efficiency reliable systems and owner friendly layouts. Even though Mainship is no longer in production their boats remain highly sought after on the brokerage market especially by Loopers.
Larger Yachts at the Show
We walked all of the docks and spotted about six to eight larger yachts in the sixty to seventy five foot range. One that stood out was a 65 foot Pacific Mariner. Unfortunately the weather had other plans.
When we arrived in Stuart the conditions were rough with winds around forty five miles per hour. The Pacific Mariner was being blown off the dock so aggressively that boarding was not possible. It was disappointing but also a reminder of how weather can quickly change plans at any boat show.
Food and Drinks at the Stuart Boat Show
One thing the Stuart Boat Show did very well was food and beverage options. There was a large barbecue setup operating like a portable restaurant serving hot food and drawing a steady crowd. Along with food, you had access to a number of lounges.
In addition there were plenty of liquor vendors offering samples including tequila vodka rum whiskey and hard seltzers. It definitely added a fun festival atmosphere to the show and gave attendees plenty of places to stop and take a break.
Final Thoughts of the Stuart Boat Show
Scott and I are glad we attended the Stuart Boat Show because now we know exactly what kind of boats and exhibitors are typically on display. While it is not the show to attend if you are shopping for trawlers cruising yachts or large motoryachts it absolutely delivers for a specific buyer.
If you are in the market for a 30 foot center console or a similar day boat or fishing platform this is your show. The selection and variety of center consoles alone make it worth the trip.
As always Boating Journey is about seeing the real world boating experience and sharing honest takeaways. The Stuart Boat Show may be small but it serves its purpose and now it is officially on our radar. Stay tuned for more boat shows boat tours and real world boating adventures.
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Cheers, Scott and Ally