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BOATS + BOATSHOWS + YACHTS + CHARTERS in Florida +

In Florida, the boating capital of the world,  the British are significantly involved in all aspects of the marine and sailing business.   No surprise–we are an island maritime seafaring nation with [once!] the greatest navy in the world.  The Tony Blair government decimated our mighty navy resources, but our love of the sea remains. There is not a Florida yacht brokerage here without at least one British broker, several known personally to me.   Hence, Florida attracts British sailors in huge numbers. You’ll find British salesmen at most Florida yacht brokerages.  You’ll find British owners of boats in all Florida ports. British captains and crews are common on yachts chartered out of Florida.  British sailing instructors abound in South Florida. Brits are marine surveyors, in the marine insurance industry and all aspects of the yacht brokerage and delivery business.   Many of them gather at Waxy O’Connor’s Pub [954] 525-9299 on SE 17th Causeway, to swap sailing tales and network. In Ft.Lauderdale you find droves of marine support businesses and crew placement agencies, many with British staff.

►  February 2025.  The MIAMI BOAT SHOW and MIAMI YACHT SHOW.  [I attend every year]. FYI: These 2 shows combined for 2022 and the whole event is now called the Discover Boating Miami International Boat Show.  The shows are run by UK company Informa Markets, headed up by local Brit Andrew Boole. See website for this year’s details.   www.miamiboatshow.com.  British exhibitors from the UK marine and yacht building world attend. The show is spread out over different locations in Miami and inside Miami Beach Convention Center.  For tickets, transport and shuttles to/from shows see website. I attend annually and highly recommend you go whether you own a boat/yacht or not. —–PK, publisher.  

► WANT TO WORK IN THIS FIELD?  There is a shortage of workers in the maritime and yacht repair/building industry, especially in Miami and Ft. Lauderdale.  To train for career in this field—guaranteed life-long work in Florida–it is recommended you take  a course at the Maritime Professional Training Centre in Ft. Lauderdale.  See their website www.mptusa.com  OR call their office [954] 525-1014 .  IN MIAMI:   RMK MERRILL Stevens, the world’s largest yacht repair/refit company, based on the Miami river,  is always hiring and takes on many interns year round.  “We always have a shortage of skilled workers,”  says owner Nyce Daniel.  See website www.rmkmerrill-stevens.com or call office [305] 324-5211.

►  OCTOBER  25-29, 2024:   FT. LAUDERDALE INTERNATIONAL BOAT SHOW. It attracts a major British presence, with exhibitors, brokers and buyers from the UK returning year after year. The event is organised [brilliantly!] by a UK events company Informa Markets, headed up by Brit Andrew Boole. For show details/tickets/transport there see their website   www.flibs.com

MARCH 23-26, 2024 The Palm Beach Boat Show.   DATES/INFO/TICKETS on   www.pbboatshow.com 

JANUARY 18-21, 2024 ST. PETERSBURG Power and salboat show. See www.st.peteboatshow.com

British-owned Yacht Charter company with a Miami office and others worldwide:  See www.charterbluewater.com  British owner Anthony Barton.  

►  BRITISH MASTER YACHTSMAN, SAILING INSTRUCTOR, and licensed yachtbroker Anthony Wall offers British Master Yachtsman Yacht brokerage 30-70ft, sail or power. Allow me to help you find the yacht of your dreams, or sell your existing boat. Fast results.  Biscayne Bay Sailing Academy, Miami  Come sailing!  Maybe the greatest thing about the Miami area is its beautiful coastal waters-and we can make that dream a reality for you!   Captain Tony Wall offers American Sailing Association courses Basic Keelboat through Bareboat and beyond , a USCG 100 Tons Master and ASA Instructor of the Year Captain,  50,000 plus blue water miles worldwide and frequently published contributor to sailing publications such as Sail and Blue Water Sailing Magazine.  A member of the Florida Association of British Business [FABB] since December 2013, Anthony has been based in Hollywood Florida since 1998, operates out of several South Florida marinas and participates in the Miami and Ft. Lauderdale Boat Shows annually. For sailing lessons or info on any of the above contact Anthony Wall direct on [954] 243-4078 or email tonysailventures@gmail.com  Website www.sailventuresinc.com 

►  SAILING LESSONS–WANT YOUR MASTER’S LICENCE?  Internationally accredited maritime training facility, with many British instructors, offering modular courses worldwide from introduction to boating through to MCA Yachtmaster Ocean.   CONTACT Yachtmasters in Ft. Lauderdale. Call [954] 779-7764 www.yachtmaster.com

►   WANT TO HIRE EXPERIENCED BRITISH CREW–who are the best, of course! Contact CREW UNLIMITED in Ft. Lauderdale [954] 462-4624 OR CREW NETWORK also in Ft. Lauderdale [954] 467-9777

 £$    TIP:  WANT TO SAVE WHEN TRANSFERRING over UK CURRENCY?   DON’T USE YOUR BANK!  Use Moneycorp.  [ I use Moneycorp myself–FABB President.] 
TO FIND OUT MORE:    Phone Moneycorp’s Kelly Cutchin on  [863] 207-6616 at their USA HQ in Orlando to ask all your questions.  Or email your query to Kelly Cutchin  kelly.cutchin@moneycorp.com for details.The pound is shaky.  That affects all expats in Florida who still have UK dealings. To transfer your precious funds, we highly recommend you use the services of Moneycorp.  At lower rates than any bank!  This will save you fees and grief, as we Londoners say!  What your own bank won’t do is save considerable  exchange fees, like Moneycorp.   NOW is an advantageous time for you to transfer any funds you have.  THE BEST WAY:   Moneycorp, the UK company with an office in Florida and droves of satisfied Florida clients. It is the only UK currency exchange company licenced to deal in 50 states.   Many expat Brits here have used this currency service for years and report huge savings and satisfaction.    Moneycorp’s HQ is in England.   Posted by the Florida Association of British Business [FABB].  Moneycorp have been trusted members since 2005.
 

 ► ARE YOU A BRIT LIVING IN FLORIDA?  OR UK BRIT WITH PROPERTY HERE?  Sign up for our eBritnews email—invitations to local British events and info relevant to expats.  Send email to  britishbusinessflorida@gmail.com  On subject line put:  Receive Florida eBritnews.   INCLUDE your city + contact phone.