Going to the 2024 Newport Boat Show? Expert Tips for a Great Show

BOAT SHOW GAME PLAN: There’s plenty we do as a professional brokerage to prepare for boat shows and there’s plenty you can do to make your experience the best it can be. Typically the major boat shows have websites where you can find everything about directions, show layouts, parking, dining, lodging and more. Click here for the 2024 Newport Boat Show Website.

What do we do? Attend pre-show meetings, pack and organize brochures, schedule staff; boats are positioned in slips, exhibit halls, displays are installed, and more. Plus, we prepare all year as our team visits our brand facilities to see first hand every new innovation and process, we coordinate and update materials on performance, specification data, test drive new product and follow the pre-owned and brokerage market.

What could you do? Below is a handy checklist for you. We suggest considering the following:

RIGHT? LEFT? WHICH DOCK OR TENT? Use the Official Guide links to find the displays you are interested in and save wasted steps by making a general plan before arrival. If you know there are specific brands you are interested in, or want to shop with your broker, contact us ahead of time and make an appointment or call us as soon as you arrive! We offer VIP Appointments, Priority Boarding and more: why not have an appointment and know you will get the attention you deserve! Before 9/11 schedule via the link below or call our main office at 781.331.2400 for assistance. During the show from 9/12-9/15 call 781.264.5474.

24 HOURS OR … after making your game plan, do you want to do it in one day? Or would you like to absorb what you learned the first day, enjoy a great dinner and have a second – or third day – to see it all? Check out the website above for dining, lodging and multi day passes.

NEW? PRE OWNED? CUSTOM BUILD? BROKERAGE? TRADE? BRAND? MODEL? Ask yourself some questions before arrival: bounce ideas around with family members, friends or boaters you may know. OR, call us and we’ll do it with you, either before or during the show. See our blog post on how to Choose Your Perfect Boat and consider these questions: Do you want a day boat or an overnight boat? Staying onboard for a few days or a few weeks? How many guests will you usually have onboard? Galley up, mid level or galley down? Do you enjoy water sports or fishing; want sun and shade options. Then be open to considering questions from your broker and to consider the options they might present. Our brokers have resources and experiences to help you make the best choice and will ask you the RIGHT questions for you to consider. Let’s discuss which option would be best for YOU.

SHOES: Comfort & Style & Easy Off*. Comfort is key because you will be doing a lot of walking on different surfaces that may include streets, docks, ramps, access stairs to boats, concrete floors, negotiating land or water shuttles, parking lots and more.

Easy Off: you will be taking your shoes on and off all day to board and view various yachts, so think of what style would work best for you. Lacing and unlacing sneakers works for some, but irritates others. If you won’t be comfortable in bare feet, some wear socks, or bring slippers or slip on shoe covers they only use for boarding.

*Heel alert! There are often spaces between boats and docks or access stairs that can trap heels, so flats or wedges are a safer choice. Some bring an extra pair of shoes to change into if planning on a long day and into evening, or want a dressier sandal for evening events.

SHADE 1, 2 & 3: Sunscreen, Sunglasses and Shade. No one wants to leave the show with a sunburn, or a headache from squinting in the sun all day or worse – have to leave early from the heat! We’re lucky to have options today and many sunscreens come in easy roll-on or packets and for the shade: choose your favorite: visor, sunhat, cap – whatever works for you!

WATER: A refreshment stand may not always be there when you want it, carrying a small water bottle you can refill at a water fountain, rest room or dining facility, means you can have a sip of water when you need it most.

PHOTOS: A Picture is still worth a thousand words. Take photos to help you remember what impressed you so much! And, whether it’s a notebook, your smart phone, tablet…. bring something to keep notes so you can jot down what you’ve seen, what you may want to plug in contact information and more. More often than not, a broker can email info and specifications directly to your phone!

TOTE ME: Show Sponsors often give away plastic totes to carry info in, and that may work for you but sometimes those plastic handles get tiring and hot and its hard to tell your tote apart from another. Bring a tote from home, a canvas boat bag, backpack or one of those handy foldable totes if you are a collector of hand outs and like to take your time reading through info later at home, with your feet up! OR have your smart phone ready to download images, codes, take photos and swap contact info or apps for certain brands

CHECK, PLEASE! If there is a possibility you will buy during a show, a checkbook or your favorite credit card might come in handy, as some manufacturers offer boat show specials. Availability might mean you want to claim that next available boat sooner than later! Buying a completed product can mean you are on the water sooner or allow you to keep boating while building your custom dreamboat.

A check may hold a boat for you until other financial arrangements can be made. Your credit card can also be used for purchases of smaller items you can carry home or have delivered like safety equipment, clothing, water games!

FINANCE, SURVEY, INSURE and more: there’s an entirely separate checklist for when you are ready to purchase and we’ve got that for you too. Our list of contacts in the industry can help you can compare and choose the best for you. Reach out to [email protected] for more details.

DID I SEE IT ALL?? Did I miss anything? Not every new boat or pre-owned brokerage opportunity is at the show. As brokers, we often know of someone who is looking for a new boat but wants to sell their current boat first! We also have customers who are having a new boat built, and we know of an opportunity that will be on the horizon that isn’t advertised just yet. A family business for over 60 years, we work hard to find the right #boat4you.

WHY A BROKER? A broker is a professional. Our brokers take their careers seriously and are always keeping up to date at work, seminars and certification programs. Brokers will always have the inside scoop on what is available and what the market looks like. Our team consists of Certified Professional Yacht Brokers: CPYB which takes commitment and dedication. Becoming certified requires being a full-time professional broker, passing a 3-hour written exam and continually attending educational seminars on best practices and webinars to earn annual credits to maintain their certification.

Learn about our team members by clicking on each individual broker to discover their passion for their career and what a Certified Professional Yacht Broker is. Boston Yacht is an Endorsed Brokerage Firm by the Yacht Brokers Association of America – one of only 37 Endorsed Firms in the U.S.

Ask for a Boston Yacht Sales team member – we’d love to work for you!