Miami Boat Show 2016 - Getting To and From the Show

[Ratickle]

Getting to and from the show was not a pleasant task for most of the people we talked to. However, here is the spin from the organizers.



The Miami-Dade County Department of Transportation reported an average of 4,000 additional cars on the Rickenbacker Causeway on each day of the event, compared with the same period in 2015 and in line with the 4,000 prepaid boat show parking spaces on Virginia Key.

The NMMA said Miamians also embraced the park-and-ride model, with an estimated 80 percent of boat show visitors parking at designated offsite locations and arriving via shuttle bus or water taxi. Although long waits were reported for water taxis and shuttle buses, improvements were made each day to keep them flowing more smoothly, making it clear what steps the boat show must take to significantly reduce or eliminate long wait times for next year.

The NMMA said traffic data collected by Miami-Dade County show that except for opening day from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., the average travel time from South Bayshore Drive and South 26th Road to MAST Academy was seven to 10 minutes, just slightly longer than the normal six minutes and 50 seconds.

Only for the three-hour period at the show open on Thursday did travel time average 21 minutes, which was reduced to seven to 10 minutes after signage adjustments were made. Key Biscayne local traffic was free-flowing throughout the five-day event.

“Because this was our inaugural event at the Miami Marine Stadium Park and Basin, we kept a close watch on delays and issues as they arose, and made adjustments each day of the show — adding more shuttle buses and reallocating water taxis to improve transportation daily,” said Cathy Rick-Joule, director of the show. “Using the lessons learned this first year we know what we need to do to improve the consumer experience for years to come.”
http://www.tradeonlytoday.com/2016/0...at-miami-show/

[Ratickle]

Water Taxi's

[Ratickle]

The line when Fundrazor, Scarab KV, and Bobcat were coming to the show. They can tell you how long it took to get there on the first day of the show.

[Ratickle]

We, the Skater clan, drove to the show on the first day in a van. The traffic setup was not good. For those who lived on the island, or had to go to other events and venues on the island, the traffic in the outside lanes moved very well. I doubt there was any issues hindering them at all. For those going to the show, we had to use the left lanes, go a couple miles past the entrance to the show for exhibitor parking, make a U-Turn and come back. An extra 15 to 20 minutes for the average person. And, those rididng in a cab who tried to get out and not do the big loop, the police would make them get back in the taxis and do the loop.

But, some of us got lucky. Jim Lee was kind enough to have Shane drive us to and from the show in either his Cigarette or Skater. Usually the Skater in the morning, and the Cigarette coming back after dark.

The Skater:


Photo Courtesy Freeze Frame

[Ratickle]

On Friday when we went over, there were 5 of us in the Skater. When we were leaving the marina by Monte's, there was a 40 Nor-Tech with quad 400's behind us coming out of the marina. As soon as he got out of the marina, just before the no wake zone ended, he nailed it and went blasting by on our port as fast as the boat would go. Shane kind of chuckled and said something like, "There goes another guy in a big boat who thinks a little Skater can't handle any water that's kicking up at all ". (There were small craft advisory's in the bay on Friday).

So, now that we were out of the no wake zone, time to get moving.

As we went by:

[Ratickle]

Out the front. Tristan's hair blowing a bit.

[Ratickle]

Zoom in, 94.2 mph, the Nor-Tech was running around 80 :



Of course that's with 5 people in the boat and both tanks 3/4 full!!!!

[Ratickle]

I'll get some more shots up later, but on the first day we had people tell us it took them almost three hours to get there, and 2 hours to get back to town.

[Ratickle]

After the first day, when it was almost an hour to get into the show by our van, it took us 9 minutes to get there in the Skater from the time we untied the boat, until we got off on the dock to walk a couple hundred feet to the booth!!

[Ratickle]

After dark, we took the Cigarette instead of the Skater. A few night-time blurry shots. (I really need to chat with Pete about my night-time shots).

[Ratickle]

[Ratickle]

Another cool thing that happened because of Jim Lee and Shane, Peter rode on one of his own 28's for the first time in years and years. Shane didn't take it up to 95 with 6 of us in the boat, but around 90 was still impressive.

So impressive in fact, when I got back to Skater from the show after tear-down Tuesday, (Peter left late Sunday to come back home), the 28 mold was in the shop being tweaked and waxed for preparation of the first 28 to come out of Skater in probably 5 or 6 years?

[Ratickle]

[Ratickle]

[Ratickle]

My favorite boat we passed every day......







Carpe Diem
Length: 58.20m (190'11"ft) / Guests: 12 / Built: 2011

[Wrinkleface]

Pretty much suspected this & pretty much have decided this new venue is not where I want 2 spend vacation $$$$'s & B pissed off & frustrated!! That 2 me know'n it go'n in is the definition beyond stupid!!!

[Ratickle]

So, riding back and forth to a boat show in a boat, at speeds up to 95+, isn't something you'd want any part of???????

[Wrinkleface]

So, riding back and forth to a boat show in a boat, at speeds up to 95+, isn't something you'd want any part of???????

If U could 100% guarantee that option & B on call 4 my time frame I would consider it!!!

[fund razor]

If U could 100% guarantee that option & B on call 4 my time frame I would consider it!!!

And us, and Bobcat probably too. But he will wear shorts and be cold.

But as much as I am positive about the show, and glad I went, I skipped Friday because I needed a day of vacation without worry about getting back and forth. I had planned to go Friday. But the thought of long water taxi or shuttle lines at the end of the day was a big factor in changing my mind.

[Ratickle]

If U could 100% guarantee that option & B on call 4 my time frame I would consider it!!!

Geez, is that the way Connie has to be for you too?