Dreaming megabig at West Palm Beach boat show

Sunday strolling among the yachts.

Sunday strolling among the yachts.

As I moseyed down the make-shift docks Sunday afternoon, I was nearly blinded by the sunlight reflecting off the gleaming white hulls of 100-foot-plus megayachts.

The yachts were displayed as part of the Palm Beach International Boat Show, which had taken over the waterfront in downtown West Palm Beach for four days. They closed off Flagler Drive in that area for a few days before and after the show. Detours ruled the days surrounding the boat show.

No shoes and other rules

Shoes were strewn on the walkways.

Shoes were strewn.

The first thing I noticed were the discarded shoes. I thought I had stepped into a bad dream where people were jumping overboard. But no, the shoes were left by people who had climbed aboard the boats. They were very thoughtful, I reasoned, until I saw the signs that said no shoes or drinks aboard the boats.

The rules for the yachts, basically anything costing more than $1 million, were even more strict. No one was allowed on board without a yacht broker.

The yacht sellers had tents strategically placed where would-be buyers could fill out forms with personal information before you could climb aboard the yacht. Plus, many yachts did not allow cameras and presumably picture-taking while aboard.

Mates standing guard.

Mates standing guard.

The 4-day boat show, among the top 10 in the country, boasts of $350 million worth of boats, yachts and accessories from the world’s leading marine manufacturers.

That Sunday afternoon, the temp reached 90 and was relieved by a stiff breeze of 20 mph from the southeast. It was quite warm, but I was glad I remembered to wear my straw hat, even if I had to hold onto it occasionally to keep it from blowing off.

Bank short sale

Bank short sale

Boats not immune

As people have lost regular homes and mansions, boat and yacht owners have not been immune to the financial crisis. Some boats carried signs about a bank short sale with a discreet broker talking about the owner in a hushed voice. Other yachts boasted: “Make an offer” while listing an asking price of $9.99 million.

I had my fill of the mega-world and walked back on land.

Navy flip-flops collar

Navy flip-flops collar

I wandered among the tents of marine supplies and accessories where I found a new collar for my dog. Not just any collar, though. It was a navy collar with a flip-flop motif and a bit of reflective plastic at Palm Beach Ribbon Designs.

The woman who sold the collar said it was machine-washable and dryable. I splurged on the $20 collar partly because all of that showy excess of the yachting world made me want to buy something. But I mindfully kept my purchase in line with what I could afford.

In the real world, I added 2.5 miles to my walking total for that day, just by walking around the show.

And now, for the numbers

I had my best walking day last week on Sunday, March 20, 2011, when I walked:

Steps: 10,847
Miles: 5.5

Source: http://blogs.palmbeachpost.com/step-by-step/2011/03/28/dreaming-megabig-at-west-palm-beach-boat-show/

Jill Duggan Jill Duggan Palm Beach Jill Duggan Palm Beach Florida Jill Duggan Florida Jill Duggan Palm Beach Woman