85th Miami Boat Show Spotlights Sailor’s Cove Hands-On Workshops for Owners

Sailor’s Cove at IGY Yacht Haven Grande on Watson Island became the practical heart of the 85th Discover Boating Miami International Boat Show, running Feb. 11–15, when hands-on workshops and interactive demonstrations focused on sailboats and catamarans rather than showroom polish. Annapolis School of Seamanship partnered with Sailor’s Cove programming teams to stage skills sessions and education zones aimed at owners and active skippers.

The show’s reconfigured footprint put the Miami Beach Convention Center and Pride Park back at the center for boats under 49 feet, marine electronics, engines and accessories, while the Miami Beach Yacht Collection returned to Collins Avenue along Indian Creek for the first time since 2018. Powerboats and motor yachts from 30 to 125 feet lined Collins Avenue near Fontainebleau Miami Beach and Eden Roc, with confirmed brands including Azimut, Ferretti, Viking, Sunseeker, Princess and Sanlorenzo among others.

Andrew Doole, President of U.S. Boat Shows at Informa Markets, framed the changes as a deliberate evolution: “The 2026 Discover Boating Miami International Boat Show is a significant evolution in our 85-year history. The new layout improves how visitors experience every boat category, from the return of yachts along Collins Avenue to the launch of Sailor’s Cove at IGY Yacht Haven Grande. These changes reflect years of planning and direct feedback from our exhibitors and attendees. Our goal is to create a more intuitive and connected footprint that elevates the entire event and strengthens the value of the boat show for the recreational boating industry.”

Hands-on programming at Sailor’s Cove included practical skills workshops, interactive demos and education zones tied to the show’s Marine Tech, Gear & Experiences areas, where cutting-edge electronics, accessories and lifestyle products were on display. SuperYacht Miami shared the IGY Yacht Haven Grande space with Sailor’s Cove, and organizers noted that a single general admission ticket provided access to all show locations, including SuperYacht Miami.

Logistics reflected the multi-venue approach: the show ran noon opening on Wednesday, Feb. 11, and 10 a.m. on all other days, closing at 7 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday and 5 p.m. on Sunday. Organizers provided coordinated shuttles, park-and-ride options and a network of shuttle buses and golf carts; ticket holders had access to the shuttle services. The official hotel provider onPeak offered event rates and no booking fees.

Owners and DIY boatowners could use the Sailor’s Cove programming to refresh rigging, sail handling and systems familiarity; with show hours running through afternoons and evenings, plan at least a half-day to sample workshops and visit the Collins Avenue yacht displays. Buy a general admission ticket through the show’s official ticketing page, book hotels through onPeak, and use the shuttle network to move between Miami Beach Convention Center, Sailor’s Cove at IGY Yacht Haven Grande and the Collins Avenue yacht collection. The show’s organizers NMMA, IYBA and Informa Markets signaled that this owner-focused, hands-on programming will shape how future editions balance demos, education and big-boat spectacle.