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Calling all boaters and water sports enthusiasts! Get ready for the most extensive exhibition in South Florida, with Nautical Ventures leading the way.

If you're eager to see the latest and greatest in the boating world, you will want to attend the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show. With a wide array of exhibitions, Nautical Ventures is your trusted source for on-the-water fun. As one of the largest exhibitors this year, you can expect an impressive display of luxury yachts, water toys, and everything in between.

Let's dive into what makes this year's show and the Orange Nation displays so unique.

What is The Fort Lauderdale Boat Show? 

Are you a boating enthusiast or looking to explore the world of luxury yachts? The Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show is just around the corner, and this year, Nautical Ventures promises to be the biggest exhibitor yet.

The Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show (also known as FLIBS) is an annual event that attracts boating enthusiasts worldwide. It is owned by the Marine Industries Association of South Florida and produced by Informa Markets. The show is known as the largest in-water boat show in the world. 

With its beautiful waterfront location and wide range of exhibitors, it has become the premier boat show in the United States. Experience the largest in-water presence of boats and marine exhibits. The five-day event presents a significant number of world and U.S. debuts, surpassing any other boat show in the country.

Ticket sales are now live for the 63rd annual Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show (FLIBS), which will occur from October 26-30 just steps away from the sands of sunny South Florida.

Who Is Nautical Ventures?

Nautical Ventures Marine Superstore in Florida provides high-quality water sports products and support with a knowledgeable and attentive staff. You're guaranteed to experience expert advice and quality brands under one roof.

We offer a diverse range of water sports products that are unique compared to other retailers. Our selection includes boats, tenders, kayaks, sup's, submersibles, dive products, yacht toys, and land toys, all of which incorporate the latest advancements in water sports innovation.

This year's 2023 FLIBS showcasing by Nautical Ventures will be like nothing before. From our 'Around The World' in-water display at Bahia Mar Yachting Center to our infamous 40,000-gallon 'AquaZone' demonstration pool inside the Convention Center, the thrills of Orange Nation are set to impress. 

What's New in October 2023 at FLIBS from Nautical Ventures?

Nautical Ventures takes pride in displaying the most sought-after boat brands from around the world. This includes debuting new models from European markets, like the stunning Phantom 65 from Fairline Yachts. Not only will Nautical Ventures debut new Yachts, but we will be the only dealer at FLIBS displaying sailboats–Like the Catamaran Excess 11 by Beneteau Group. These luxurious vessels are just a few of the many impressive European boats Nautical Ventures will showcase in the 'Around The World' water exhibition at Bahia Mar. 

Why Attend The Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show This Year With Nautical Ventures? 

You don't want to miss this event if you're a boater! Come and experience the finest craftsmanship, cutting-edge features, and breathtaking designs these boats, yachts, and watercraft offer, as well as various marine items and accessories.

There will be no shortcomings in demonstrations, hands-on testing, and one-stop learning from the Orange team. You'll even have a chance to partake in contests and win prizes! Just look for the Nautical Ventures logo and orange shirts throughout the show and experience the magic for yourself. Mark your calendars for October 25th through the 29th, and join us at FLIBS. Don't miss out on this opportunity to find your dream vessel–See you there!

 

Are you preparing to navigate the diverse waters of the pontoon boat market? Your journey starts here. Nautical Ventures has crafted this informative guide to help you sail smoothly toward your perfect pontoon boat purchase in 2023.

Our dedicated team is committed to ensuring you find the perfect pontoon boat, balancing superior quality with cost-effectiveness. After all, our mission is to help you embark on your boating adventure with confidence and excitement.

Best Pontoon Boats for 2023

Each year, the pontoon boat industry introduces new designs and features, offering an even wider range of choices to boat lovers. We've selected some of the best, most stylish, and top-performing pontoons to watch for in 2023.

Starcraft Marine

An industry pioneer, Starcraft Marine has been crafting innovative pontoon boats for over a century. Known for their commitment to quality and design, their models cater to a wide array of boating enthusiasts.

• Starcraft EX Series: These boats prioritize versatility and comfort. With adaptable floor plans and plush seating, every trip is a pleasure. Stereo systems and bimini tops add to the ambiance, while optional fishing features transform these boats into an angler's paradise.
• Starcraft SLS Series: Designed for sociable boaters, the SLS series offers ample space for gatherings and luxurious seating for optimal relaxation. These models are performance-oriented, with watersports and entertainment options that keep every outing exciting.
• Starcraft LX Series: For those who value comfort and convenience, the LX series offers plush seating, abundant storage, and a multitude of customization options. These features make every voyage seamless and memorable.
• Starcraft EXS Series: Specifically engineered for the avid fisherman, the EXS series offers features like livewells, rod holders, and casting platforms. These boats create the ideal setting for a fruitful day of fishing.

Sunchaser

Renowned for their craftsmanship, Sunchaser offers a varied portfolio of pontoon boats, making waves with their innovative designs.
Sunchaser Classic Series: These models offer diversity in size and layout, ensuring a perfect fit for any boating activity, be it cruising, fishing, or watersports.

• Sunchaser Geneva Series: The Geneva series merges style and comfort, featuring premium seating and state-of-the-art stereo systems. Optional watersports towers add an extra thrill for adventure seekers.
• Sunchaser Oasis Series: Designed for laid-back boating, the Oasis series provides a spacious platform for relaxation and socializing. Its flexible seating options make it the ultimate party boat.
• Sunchaser Vista Series: A perfect blend of luxury and performance, the Vista series boasts high-end finishes, plush seating, and features that enhance maneuverability and speed.

Pontoon Boat Financing in Florida

At Nautical Ventures, we believe that financing should never be a barrier to your boating dreams. Our competitive financing options make boat ownership more accessible than ever.

Browse the Best Selection of New & Used Pontoon Boats in Florida!

Your search for the perfect pontoon boat ends at Nautical Ventures. Our expansive inventory includes the best pontoon boat brands, whether you're seeking a brand-new model or a high-quality used boat. We are here to help you find a boat that aligns with your needs and budget.

Are you ready to turn your dream pontoon boat into a reality? Request a quote now, or visit our Pontoon Boat section for more options. At Nautical Ventures, we strive to provide a comprehensive, stress-free boat shopping experience. Embark on your boating adventure in 2023 with us by your side!

 

Image Credit: Richard Pross, Shutterstock

 

A boat's interior space can tell a lot about its owner's personality and style in its layout and functionality. Does your boat's interior feel under-utilized, dated, or less inviting than you would like?

This article will discuss planning out a more personal and functional cabin interior by learning how boat interiors are designed and created. You can then make the space your own, feel more comfortable, and serve your needs and match your boating lifestyle.

Boating to the Bahamas from Florida may seem like a challenging trek, but a day trip to the gorgeous beaches and world-class fishing can prove to be just an alluring hop away.

The combination of tropical disturbances and the first cooler cold fronts of the fall make for good lobster diving in South Florida in October, as the tasty crustaceans congregate around shallow coral reefs and sometimes walk in the sand when the water is churned by strong winds.

Many people who visit our marine superstore and marina say they enjoy their time on the water as much as just about anything else in life. From exciting activities like fishing and water sports to relaxing dinner cruises and overnight getaways, boat ownership has a lot to offer for people from all walks of life. Of course, some might hesitate to buy a new boat because they don't want to commit to the cost, or they receive resistance from other important people in their lives who don't think it's a good investment. The truth is that there are several great health benefits to owning a boat.

Boat owners who need boat storage, dockage, and service find it at Nautical Ventures marine center and service yard in South Florida. The main reason experienced boat owners invest in professional storage is to maximize their enjoyment of the experience with superior safety and maintenance. After all, South Florida residents by boats when they want to enjoy themselves, not find new things to worry about! That's where marinas and professional storage come into play.

For most South Florida divers, it took a lot of effort to try to catch a limit of lobsters during the recent miniseason, which was July 28-29.

Florida’s annual lobster miniseason is July 28-29 this year, which means now is when divers need to make sure that they and their scuba gear are ready for one of  South Florida ’s biggest events of the summer.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is working on developing a proposal to allow anglers and spearfishers to take goliath grouper, which have been protected in Florida state and federal waters since 1990.

The FWC’s commissioners voted 6-1 to come up with rules and regulations to allow a limited harvest of the groupers, which can weigh several hundred pounds. Reaction to the vote was split.

Anglers who lose hooked fish and divers who lose speared fish when goliaths eat their catch were in favor of the proposal. Charter diving operators who take scuba divers to view and photograph the big fish around artificial reefs were against the proposal.

Kayak fishermen will be targeting dolphin, tuna, kingfish, wahoo and cobia, among other species, for the opportunity to win major cash and prizes in the Extreme Kayak Fishing Summer Slam set for June 19 out of Pompano Beach.

A pontoon boat, as you may know, is a beamy vessel constructed of a spacious platform atop aluminum tubes, or “pontoons.” These boats are quite popular for those who want to enjoy the lake or ocean with their families on a well-rounded boat. While the pontoon boats of the past may have been simple and designed to be basic fishing and cruising platforms, that is no longer the case. Today’s pontoon boats are versatile sports vessels designed with many different applications in mind from fishing, to cruising, to watersports.

Grouper season opened May 1 after a four-month closure, and many South Florida anglers and divers will head offshore to try to catch or spear what is considered to be one of the region’s best-tasting fish.

April is a tough time for local scuba divers. The lobster season closed on March 31 and doesn’t re-open until August 6. And the seasons for grouper and hogfish, which are among the prized targets of spearfishers, don’t open until May 1.

Sinking your teeth into a fresh sandwich crafted from a soft hoagie bun with crisp lettuce and tomatoes, filled with thinly sliced deli meat is the epitome of satisfaction during a hot, sandy, salty day on the boat.

The old adage, “If you don’t know a knot, then just tie a lot,” speaks volumes about recreational boaters and their relationship to marlinspike seamanship. It seems that many mariners underestimate the importance of tying proper knots while out on the water and don’t understand the consequences of tying improper knots. The improper use of ropes while underway or at a mooring can cause vessel damage, a boating accident, serious bodily injury, and even knots that are too tight to untie.

Amberjacks don’t get much respect from South Florida anglers, but they should.

As long as the need for social distancing for COVID safety keeps people confined to their homes, cabin fever is bound to occur. Families are looking for activities that they can do together while avoiding crowds.

Due to the unfortunate COVID-19 pandemic the past few months, a growing sense of uncertainty has been created about what life may look like and how to adapt to 'the new normal'. Amid ever-changing state orders, social-distancing guidelines, it is clear that there will be lasting impacts to the way we previously carried out our daily lives.

This new reality also applies to how we vacation, relax and blow off steam as summer enters full swing. Thankfully, our natural resources are wide open for the recreational activities that have long been a hallmark of the season, and this year, a growing number of people are turning to a longstanding American pastime — recreational boating.

As first-time boat buyers are on the rise, as Americans are recognizing that boating is one of the safest and most accessible atmospheres to enjoy quality time with their loved ones and improve their mental health outlook during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Owning a boat gives people a unique way to get away from it all. That comes in handy now as we’re all trying to maintain social distancing because of COVID-19. Politicians from every state in the United States have acknowledged that boating is a safe social distancing activity, but there are still some precautions to keep in mind. All of the usual guidelines are still relevant on the water, so here are a few things to consider before you plan your next outing and the boating industry’s way forward.

How to Social Distancing While Boating

In May, the recreational boating industry saw an unprecedented increase in PWC sales, which were up 75 percent compared to May 2019.

Shipments of PWCs, outboard engines, wake sport boats, and jet boats increased by a range of 19 to 160 percent compared to April.

As the boating and water sports industry continues to grow on high-demand, manufacturing activity is slowly starting to pick back up and saw impressive gains in May following two months of shutdowns.

Therefore, if you are planning to go out on the water, one of the most important things to consider is how you’re going to limit exposure to other people around. Inviting a lot of guests onto your boat will put you near others and potentially spread disease, so limit your group to people who already live with you. If you live alone or still want to see others, here’s a more visual depiction on how to practice social distancing while boating.

Thankfully, in areas where short-distance travel hasn’t been entirely eliminated we can still do all aquatic activities from the safely on our boats.  With that being said, we don’t recommend rafting with other boats or going to a beach where you’ll be close to many people. Your boat is one of the best places to get away from it all, and now is the perfect time to take advantage of that. When you limit your stops and other interactions, you’re doing your part to keep everyone safe.

For example, you may want to pack plenty of gear and supplies at home, so you don’t have to stop on the way to your boat. Sometimes, some degree of contact may be unavoidable.

However in instances such as when you’re fueling the boat or loading it at the marina, you can still do your best to maintain a safe distance and follow other guidelines. You may want to bring some hand sanitizer so you can disinfect yourself after stopping at the marina, fuel station, or loading ramp.

How to Disinfect a Boat

Like many solid surfaces, the parts of your boat could temporarily house the COVID-19 virus. As long as you keep boating between you and your family, your boat in and of itself shouldn’t be any problem. But, what if you want to be extra cautious and disinfect your boat?

It is a good idea to take extra precautions when cleaning your boat, especially if you ever share it with others. Disinfect the boat with disinfectants that have been approved by the CDC recommendations. That means disinfecting surfaces with EPA-approved disinfectants, however, you should remember that some of the approved disinfectants (like bleach or acids) can harm some of the surfaces of a boat. The canvass and vinyls are particularly subject to damage or discoloration, if disinfecting chemicals are left on their surfaces.

With that in mind, it’s a good idea to wash the boat down after disinfecting. So, after disinfecting be sure to give your boat a thorough wash-down. The most important thing overall is simply to maintain a clean boat, to keep things ship-shape.

How to Have Fun Boating During COVID-19

Being extra careful doesn’t mean you can’t still have a ton of fun on the water. Boats make it easy to keep your distance from others while still enjoying yourself. There are even a few ways you can use your boat to improve your social life without putting yourself and others at an increased risk of catching the virus. Here are three of our favorite things to do without getting exposed to others.

1 – Go Fishing

• Fishing is one of our favorite ways to connect with nature while on a boat. Head out to the water with your family or even by yourself to enjoy some quiet time and look for your next big catch.

• You can also practice kayak fishing, all from the safety of your own kayak. At Nautical Ventures we offer you the largest selection of new and used kayaks under one roof in South Florida. Visit us at our Dania Beach and North Palm Beach Marine Superstores located right on the water for your paddling convenience and for you to even try our products before purchase.

2 – Spend Time With Your Family

• Relax and unwind by making time for activities on the water. Spending too much time in the house can be overwhelming, but a day on your boat provides a welcomed change of pace. If your boat has a cabin with room to sleep, you may want to plan a safe vacation by spending a night or two aboard.

• There’s no evidence we’re aware of that COVID-19 can be contracted through the water. Still, please respect any restrictions about waters being closed for swimming and other activities. As long as you can do that, get active by going swimming or participating in water sports.

• If enjoy boating, kayaking, fishing, and other marine sports, you'll love Nautical Ventures Marine Superstore. Our "Superstore" is part of our name for a reason! We offer from boats, tenders, kayaks, stand-up paddle boards, inflatables, submersibles, and toys for many other extreme water sports. Our store is a one-stop shop with everything you need to start or continue your aquatic adventures. You can visit us in one of our locations at Dania Beach and North Palm Beach.

 

3 – Meet Friends From a Distance

• If you have friends in the area, plan to meet up with them for a cruise in your boats. You can even set anchor and have a conversation. Just try to keep six feet apart as you would on land, which means it’s best not to raft the boats.

Buy a Boat in South Florida

In conclusion, we boaters love getting out on the water, and part of that love comes from bonding with family, and spending quality time with a loved one, or just enjoying the solitude.

A boater who knows the rules of the water is more confident and ultimately creates a safer, more enjoyable boating experience for everyone. So check on the regulations affecting your locality. Be careful to maintain social distancing practices. And then cast off those lines and feel the wind in your hair—because boating is still the hands-down best way to enjoy living on planet Earth.

In addition, if you don’t have a boat yet, now might be the time to change that. Visit us at any of our 5 Nautical Ventures Marine Center locations at Dania Beach, Fort Lauderdale, North Palm Beach, Tampa Beach or Sarasota. We look forward to welcoming you!

You can also visit our website www.nauticalventures.com for more information.

Outdoor recreation, such as boating and fishing, generates an economic impact of $23.3 billion annually in the state of Florida. Based on the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) 2018 Boating Economic Impact Study, there are 918,255 registered boats in Florida and 141.6 million Americans go boating each year.

Researching specs for the perfect boat, kayak or paddleboard is important, but it does not take the place of firsthand experience. Zipping across the waves with the wind in your hair tells you tons about the type of watercraft you want.

Dania Beach is one of Florida's great nautical scenes. It offers scenic access to the water through several marinas including Dania Beach Marina, Royale Palm Marina, and Harbour Towne Marina. The accessibility of launch points and points of interest makes now the perfect time to look into Dania Beach boat sales.

Palm Beach is a haven for those who love their water sports. Residents and visitors to the area enjoy easy access to the water with their choice of marinas. In North Palm Beach, you'll find Soverel Harbour, Old Port Cove, and North Palm Beach Marinas. Or maybe you hail from Lake Park and Riviera Beach, with the Lake Port Harbour Marina and the New Port Cove Marine Center. Farther to the south, in West Palm Beach and Lake Worth, there are the Palm Beach Yacht Club, Palm Harbor Marina, and the Loggerhead Marinas. 
 

Orion Coolers are named after the ‘Great Hunter’ Orion, of Greek mythology. Orion’s strength, dominance and timelessness are all traits that are built in to every cooler.

It’s Tuesday, October 4th and Hurricane Matthew, a category 4 monster, will be knocking on our door in two days. Our dealerships in Fort Lauderdale, North Pam Beach and Riviera Beach are busy implementing a storm plan to protect our boats and property. This got us thinking… do you know how to properly protect your boat in the event of a hurricane? Here are a few tips, courtesy of some of the best minds in the industry. 

Coolers have come a long way in recent years. Gone are the utilitarian Styrofoam or Plastic insulated ones, the kind if you broke, lost, or left behind at a picnic you didn’t worry about losing.

Light consists of two waves, one propagated in the horizontal plane and one in the vertical plane. When light bounces off a flat surface, such as water, the horizontal component is seen as glare. Polarized lenses are made using a special optical filter which absorbs the horizontal component of light and transmits only the vertical component. 

The Interior Department recently laid out a final offshore well-control rule that would require more frequent testing of the devices, swift reporting when parts fail, and retrofitting the equipment with extra shearing rams meant to slash through drill pipe and help seal an open well hole. The rules come nearly six years after the catastrophic blowout of a BP oil well in the Gulf of Mexico killed 11 workers and injured many others aboard Transocean’s Deepwater Horizon drilling rig.

OK. This headline is in no way sarcastic. Read it as it is sounding in my head. “Have Fun (while you are at the same time) Saving the Planet.” Since our planet is made up by two-thirds of water, let’s just focus on that part. As a boater and recreational fisherman I’ve been taught to respect our waterways and all the life living within. In fact, most all boaters and fishermen I know following common sense environmental and conservation guidelines. It’s not that difficult and, in reality, has made our sport more enjoyable. A few notable things:

As boaters, kayakers, fisherman, and all around outdoor people, we are generally well prepared for all things related to our activities. But, and this is a big BUT…