Every year we get together some of our nicer listings and in the great tradition of summer, we like to have a BBQ to kick off the beginning of the season!

This year the event will be held at the Elks Lodge on Okaloosa Island and we’ll have the grill going outside for a truly all-American experience.

So come on down and kick a rub rail with us! Take a look at some of the nicest boats for sale, have dinner on us and cocktails will be provided.

It’s our way of saying Thanks and we appreciate your business!

We have had a busy boat show season and have one more in our sights!

The Wharf Boat and Yacht Show at the Wharf Entertainment Complex in Orange Beach, Alabama.

The Wharf Boat and Yacht Show will be taking place on April 25th – 28th and is the last boat show of the season.

This boat show will be showcasing the latest offers from boat and yacht manufacturers and well known dealers throughout the Southeast.

In-water displays will allow prospective buyers easy boarding and the opportunity to inspect the boat or yacht of their dreams!

If you have been on the fence about attending one of these boat shows, we have a couple of reasons why you should!

Great Southern Yacht Company will once again be featuring some of our own amazing deals at this last boat show of the season. Don’t miss out!

Hundreds of vessels will be exhibited, and attendees will have no problem finding a boat to fit any budget. Virtually every type of vessel will be shown, ranging from luxury yachts and sport fisherman, to center consoles, cruisers, pontoons, runabouts and personal watercraft.

Get a look at the latest in digital marine electronics, fishing tackle, high tech marine engines, and outdoor equipment as exhibitors showcase the cutting edge in marine gear!

Wharf Boat & Yacht Show Hours:

Thursday, April 25: 2 pm to Sunset ~ “Stars Over Alabama” – VIP Invitation Only Preview
Friday, April 26: 10 am to 7 pm
Saturday, April 27: 10 am to 7 pm
Sunday, April 28: 10 am to 5 pm

Admission is $5.00. Children under 12 are free. FREE PARKING.

Remember, The Wharf Boat & Yacht Show is the last show of the season. Don’t miss it!

Check Out Steve Talking About This Boat Show

Boat shows are fun and we like attending as many as we can. And because we do go to so many, we get a lot of questions about the benefits of boat shows and who the boat shows are really for.

Questions like, “Why should I take my boat to a boat show?” and “Why should I go to a boat show to find a yacht?”

Well my friends, here are 2 very simple reasons why attending boat shows is a smart idea for buyers and sellers.

Talk To A Real Person Who Understands Boats and Your Needs

We are blessed to live in a time where we have some incredible technology at our fingertips.

The internet, media print advertising, email marketing, and some old fashioned word-of-mouth are great tools not only for sellers, but for buyers as well.

But regardless of the technology available to us today about 20- 30% of boats are still sold by someone walking along the docks, looking at a vessel they didn’t think to consider or thought they might like.

At boat shows, potential buyers can climb aboard, look around, and say “Wow, this is a nice boat!”

The more they look around the more they fall in love with it, and sellers are right there to answer questions.

Opportunity To See All The Different Boat Models

Boat shows are also an opportunity to see all the different models side by side and the different offerings.

For buyers, this is an opportunity to explore the ideas of what other people like in a boat. For sellers, it’s a great way to see what people are looking for in a boat.

The boats are usually cleaned up, shining, and looking their best. Quite often, people are extremely motivated.

The experience brings everyone together and creates a buying atmosphere. It’s just a great time to wheel and deal to sell or buy that boat!

Upcoming Boat Shows You Don’t Want To Miss

Currently, there are two upcoming boat shows that Great Southern Yachts is participating in.

One is in Gulfport Mississippi for The Gulf Coast Boat Show running April 4-7.

The other is in Orange Beach Alabama for The Wharf Boat & Yacht Show running April 25-28.

You can contact Great Southern Yachts for more details on these shows. Both of these will be an excellent opportunity to find the next “right one” or your dream boat!

This year’s show has moved from Orange Beach, AL to Gulfport, MS. The new venue will feature the tried and true exhibits and booths, plus much more.

The brand new 40 million dollar renovated Jones Park and Gulfport Small Craft Harbor can accommodate up to 100’ yachts and its new Sail Boat Row is sure to have something for everyone.

Features include prize giveaways, well-known names from Shark Wranglers, Shark Men, and Gator Boys, vessels from ski boats to motor yachts, marine and engine manufacturers, yachting accessories from sunglasses to boat lifts, and anything else you might need for a beautiful day on the water.

Make sure you mark your calendars and tell all your friends that the Gulf Coast Yacht and Boat Show has moved from Orange Beach, Alabama to Gulfport, Mississippi. April 4-7, 2013.

4 big days to look forward to in 2013.

You don’t want to miss the largest boat show on the Gulf Coast!

See you there!

In case you were wondering why you have missed this show before, it’s because it has been years since Panama City hosted a major boat show.

The Panama City Yacht and Boat Show will feature hundreds of new and brokered vessels ranging in length from 12′ all the way up and over 60′.

Center Consoles, Cruisers, Motor Yachts, Pontoons, Skiffs, Runabouts, and Deck Boats will be represented by dealers from all along the upper Gulf Coast.

Great Southern Yachts will be there, featuring 4 of our own amazing listings!

There will be something for everyone, featuring over 50 vendor booths exhibiting everything from sunglasses, apparel, and art, to engines, fishing, electronics and boating accessories.

Major outboard engine manufacturers will be on hand with factory demo boats, giving rides every day of the show, with sign up.

As usual there will be Seminars and hourly prize giveaways! With over $5,000 in prizes, surely you can win something, right?

You won’t want to miss the fun!

Give us a call today to get more information on the Panama City Yacht and Boat Show and how you can experience this new tradition along the Florida Panhandle!

The Palm Beach International Boat Show 2013 will take place on Intracoastal Waterway on Flagler Drive – West Palm Beach, Florida.

SHOW DATES & TIMES

• Thurs. Mar 21, 12 Noon – 7pm
• Fri. Mar 22, 10am – 7pm
• Sat. Mar 23, 10am – 7pm
• Sun. Mar 24, 10am – 6pm

The event features hundreds of boats from 8 foot inflatables, power boats, fishing boats, centerconsoles, bow riders, personal watercraft to super-yachts over 150’, and accessories from the world’s leading marine manufacturers.

Valued at more than $350 Million!

Shop for marine clothing, jewelry, and relax on one of the floating cocktail barges or attend the fishing clinics.

It is truly an international show for all members of the family.

Great Southern Yachts will be featuring two of our big beauties at the show:

2008 60′ Hatteras Convertible Yacht

Our 60′ Hatteras Convertible features a stunning ice blue hull that we previously introduced you to.

2006 62’ Ocean Super Sport

And for the “Reel Busy” type, our 2006 62’ Ocean Super Sport with a Caterpillar engine is definitely a must see.

You won’t want to miss the 28th Annual Palm Beach International Boat Show, which is one of the top 5 in the country!

Great Southern Yachts can provide any information you might need, such as the best hotels, best places to eat, and entertainment for adventure seekers and families alike.

We hope to see you there!

It’s that time of year again, spring has sprung! And the Super Bowl of All Boat Shows is going on at the beautiful shores of Miami Beach. Miami, the home and playground of stars and fun seekers everywhere.

Great Southern Yachts will be at the Miami Boat Show again this year. We had a blast last year and decided that we wouldn’t miss it for 2013!

Not only is the Miami Boat Show the best place to preview the new boating season, but it’s also a quick jump off location to the Bahamas!

Remember my trip to the Bahamas?

Come on down to the Miami International Boat Show, see what’s new, and kick a rub rail with us!

With 2.5 million sq. ft of exhibition space you can rest assured that there’s a boat for every budget and lifestyle.

See you on the docks!

Highlights:

The Big Game Room is celebrating 10 years at the Miami Boat Show and is sure to impress this year!

They offer everything the big game enthusiast could want like bait rigging instructions.

There will also be a huge raffle to give away a Carolina Skiff JVX 16CC Center Console boat, a Suzuki DF60ATL1W motor and Magic Tilt aluminum trailer with 13inch tires!

The Big Game Room also features the Marlin Bar and Lounge and this year they will have live reggae musician Pluto Shervington.

The Miami Boat Show schedules informative seminars and events and has everything from installing a new battery and propping your boat to one on one with marine techs to ask anything!

Call us for more information, directions, and ticket info! We can even suggest the best places to stay and dine with great access to the show!

Back in December I shared with you my thoughts on planning the perfect boat trip to escape the Florida winter. Well, I would like to share with you my recent excursion to the Bahamas to explore the wonders of what it beholds.

We chartered a private 65′ Viking Convertible Yacht that Great Southern Yachts has listed, procured by a Great Southern agent and a great southerner myself, Steve Hall.

The plan was to meet the boat in West Palm Beach and ride across on a Tuesday. However, because of deteriorating weather, they went over to Grand Bahamas, Freeport on Monday.

The ride was so smooth there wasn’t even a need to wash the boat on arrival, and they made the roughly 70 mile trip in a leisurely four hours.

My lovely bride, Bonnie Hall, and I flew in the next day, arriving in Port Lucaya which is a beautiful dock and Marina with lots of new and colorful shops.

The 65′ Viking Convertible was anchored there at the marina which was only a 30 second walk up to all kinds of restaurants, and the casino.

While there, the owner, Jerry, Captain Pat and I went to explore the back canals of Port Lucaya and fish for bonefish. These fish are known for being elusive and notoriously hard to catch, but after some adventure, we were finally able to catch a few!

Back at the boat we got cleaned up and had a wonderful dinner.

Day Two In The Bahamas

The next day, we headed out for Hole in the Wall, which is a well known spot for fishing because the “tongue of the ocean” is there, where the Atlantic Ocean pushes up close to the islands.

After a great day of fishing and catching Wahoo, we headed back that evening and anchored behind the Point. There we went on the anchor, or “on the hook” as it’s frequently called, and fished for yellowtail and mutton grouper.

Having the 65′ Viking Convertible anchored in 15-20 foot crystal clear blue water, we were able to see the coral heads and all types of fish. We even set out a chum line and watched as the sharks gathered and swam around the boat.

We had a grand time on that beautiful day. That night we grilled thick steaks and ate them with baked potatoes, enjoying the perfect weather in our own little spot of heaven.

Day Three and the Spanish Wells

The next morning arose with more gorgeous weather and we cranked up the 65′ Viking Convertible and trolled while making our way to the Spanish Wells.

The Spanish Wells is one of the oldest communities in the Bahamas and is the only island that is completely populated by white Bohemians. From there, we contacted the harbor pilot, Woody, who for a nominal fee, guided us through a series of rock formations known as The Devil’s Backbone.

Woody always brings along a treat, usually Bimini bread, but this time he brought carrot cake and Johnny cake which was wonderful.

Once we got there, we went to Harbor Island, an exclusive island off the coast of Eleuthera, which is famous for its pink sands.

We stayed at Valentine’s Marina and rented a golf cart to travel as there are very few automobiles on the island. We took the girls to walk the beach on the famous pink sand and all agreed it was very unusual and impressive.

That evening we dined at a fantastic restaurant, The Rock, rumored to have been the meet-up spot for celebrities who are avoiding the paparazzi and photographs. We had a fabulous meal at the beautiful resort.

Day Four Includes More Fishing

We had even more perfect weather the next morning and spent the early part of the day snorkeling in gorgeously clear 15 foot water; watching the varied marine life and colorful fish swim around the coral reef.

After this delightful enterprise, we spent the rest of the day bonefishing. There are huge tidal flats, where you can literally walk out 5-10 miles, and cast at the bonefish as the water retreats.

We were able to have quite a successful day. Bonefishing, as mentioned before, is an exciting but difficult fish to catch.If you are interested, anyone at Great Southern Yachts can guide you to an exclusive spot to bonefish.

The dinghy we used was a 15’ Hell’s Bay, the tender aboard the 65’ Viking Convertible that we have listed.

That night we feasted on fresh caught Wahoo ceviche, yellowtail, and lobster while relaxing on the back of the boat.

Man, Life Is Good In The Bahamas!

The next morning we cranked up and decided to head down to Nassau. We fished the beautiful clear blue water, which you won’t see anywhere in the world like in the Bahamas.

Once in Nassau, we spent the night at Atlantis, backed up to the main entrance. This world class casino and resort offered all kinds of shopping, an aquarium, a playground, and other activities. It is a place that is really worth your time to investigate.

That night we went to one of the oldest restaurants in the world called Graycliff which has been a home since 1751, and over the last 100 years has been in service as a restaurant.

They boast the third largest wine collection in the world right in their basement, with over 250,000 bottles and a menu as big as a Miami phone book. It was a fantastic dining occasion.

Afterwards they took us on a tour of the wine cellar where we saw a rack of wine that was worth over a million dollars, a $38,000 bottle of champagne, and a $250,000 bottle of wine. Quite heady and impressive!

A Fantastic Close To This Amazing Vacation

The following day, ready to get back to Great Southern and our wonderful clients, we took off to the new and modern airport there in Nassau which brought us to Fort Lauderdale and then back home!

The only way to see the Bahamas is by private yacht. Let Great Southern get you started today!