Miami Boat Show a showcase for the Good Life!

Photos 1-5. Scenes from the nation's largest in-the-water boat show on Biscayne Bay off the Marriott in downtown Miami

Guest Reporter Myra Handy

Story and photos by Myra Handy

The 70th annual Miami Boat International Boat Show & Strictly Sail Miami is one of the world's largest boating events. It runs this weekend, February 17-21. This event showcases thousands of the newest powerboats,

sailboats, electronics and marine accessories from more than 2000 leading manufacturers from around the world. The newest and best attraction was the Discovery Boating RESOURCE CENTER, a boating educational experience offering free boat rides, on the water training

courses, and daily seminars.

The 2011 Miami Boat Show is the ultimate destination to discover and renew safe boating skills.. The Discovery

Boating Resource Center offered the best training and hands-on boating experience. It added a special touch to this years boat show.

Captains Tom, Larry, Joan, Mark and Jim were well qualified and anxious to teach their boating skills. The courses included navigation, jet propulsion, close maneuver handling of small boats, sailing, scuba diving and joystick maneuvers. All the captains were wonderful and I took advantage of all the courses.

On Friday, February 18, the South African Consulate General, George Monyemangene, from New York and the South African Boat Builders Export

Counsel sponsored a networkiung reception at the Hard Rock Café, Miami to celebrate South Africa's 6th year at the show.

The Afri-Cat, a 42' Catamaran, was presented for sale at the show. This was the definite show stopper. This 22' beam vessel has three staterooms and two heads, with

an elegant, roomy interior. Go to Africat.com for more information or contact Walt Strazalkowski, the USA Sales Representative in Boyton Beach, FL.

The refreshing wine at the reception was supplied by

Alister Glen, the Regional Sales Manager of Boschendal, the maker of Beach House White Wines and Douglas Green Red Wines. Boschendal is the second-oldest winery established in 1683 in South Africa. It is South Africa’s most awarded wine estate of 2004, having won South African Wine Producer of the Year, IWSC Awards, Oondon, 2004. Part of the present Boschendal winery was originally the cellar for Le Rhone Manor House, built in 1795. The winery dates back to the time of the Huguenot’s. Their wines can be purchased at Whole Foods nationwide and PUBLIX in Miami for about $9 a bottle. It’s a real bargain for the money. Anchors Aweigh!