Ahead of the show, I wanted to better understand what owning a boat actually looks like beyond the excitement. The Miami International Boat Show is dazzling — polished hulls, champagne on deck, and conversations about cruising the Bahamas by sunset. But once you step away from the music and the marketing, what does ownership really entail?
Over the last five years, boating has experienced a remarkable surge. According to the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA), U.S. boat sales reached their highest levels in more than a decade during 2020–2021 as consumers sought outdoor, socially distanced recreation. Participation in boating has remained elevated even as the market normalized post-pandemic, and total boating expenditures are still tracking well above pre-2020 levels. Unit sales cooled in 2023–2024, down roughly 9–12% from the peak years, but that reflects stabilization rather than decline.
The luxury segment tells an even more interesting story. Global yacht market reports project steady growth through the end of the decade, driven by increasing high-net-worth wealth and demand for larger motor yachts and superyachts. In other words: while the frenzy may have softened, the appetite — particularly at the high end — remains strong.
And Miami? It’s not just participating. It’s leading - just like our luxury real estate market.
South Florida consistently ranks among the top boating markets in the country. The Miami International Boat Show alone generates hundreds of millions in local economic impact annually and serves as a global gateway for luxury yacht transactions. For many buyers — domestic and international — Miami is where boating ambitions begin.
That context made my recent conversation with Corey Simon, a Miami-based yacht broker with Off The Hook Yachts and founder of Simon Marine especially insightful. Since 2012, Off The Hook Yachts has grown into one of the largest buyers of used boats in the United States, expanding significantly over the last decade and continuing to scale following a successful IPO in 2025. Their luxury division, Autograph Yacht Group, focuses specifically on high-end motor yachts and superyachts — a segment that mirrors Miami’s upward luxury trajectory.
What stood out immediately was how aligned our philosophies are. Corey and his team take a true concierge approach to boating — helping clients not just purchase the right vessel, but manage everything that follows. Dockage. Insurance. Annual servicing. Crew. Maintenance schedules. The goal is to make ownership feel seamless rather than stressful.
Because here’s the part that doesn’t make the highlight reel: owning a boat requires planning. Insurance premiums have risen alongside property and marine claims. Slip fees in prime Miami marinas can rival luxury condo HOA dues. Annual maintenance is not optional — it’s essential. Understanding those realities early makes the experience far more enjoyable.
For me, conversations like this deepen my understanding of the boating lifestyle and how it intersects with waterfront real estate. In Miami, the home, the dock, and the boat are rarely separate conversations. They’re part of one larger lifestyle equation.
The takeaway? The data shows boating — especially luxury yachting — isn’t a passing trend. It’s a resilient, evolving market with Miami at its center. But as with any meaningful investment, excitement is best paired with education.
And that’s where the real fun begins.
