By Timo Olbert and Cynthia Guerry Released: 2/17/2009

Walking along the mia Marina harbor path on last Friday, we could already see the wide range of sailing boats waiting for us.

Under perfect blue skies the shimmer of shiny boats created the perfect background for the Miami Boat Show billed as one of the biggest sail boat shows in the world.

As European interns for The Catamaran Company we were looking forward to seeing this major event for the first time and would like to share our impressions with you:

THE BOOTHS:

Well decorated and equipped stalls and displays led to a very convenient atmosphere for the customers.

All the staff members on the show were very helpful, friendly and tried their best to satisfy their customers.

At the Lagoon booth, you could find 11 well-prepared boats, a charter area and a relaxing lounge where you could have conversations with qualified people. The chartering offers were also a very popular attraction for the visitors.

All employees were keen on helping us to find solutions to our questions.

THE BOATS:

The boats were in perfect showing conditions and left an impressive image of the companies.

Fortunately after working in the service department for one week we could knew first hand how much hard work goes into getting a catamaran ready for a boat show.

The Catamaran team is definitely doing its best and started preparing the boat show several weeks ago.

MULTIHULLS MAGAZINE:

We also had the opportunity to visit one of the most well known boat magazines in the sailing industry at the show: The Multihulls Magazine.

We briefly chatted with Publisher Charles Chiodi and Production Manager/Photograph, Louis Fondova, at their booth which offer a glimpse of their latest issue and some of the most well known catamaran books on sale at the moment.

The Multihulls Magazine has been around for years and views the Miami Boat Show as an important event to view first hand the latest releases from various boat manufucturers such as Lagoon, Leopard Catamarans, Voyage and many others.

A number of visitors came in to sign up for 12 month subscriptions.

“DISCOVER SAILING” – A FREE TRIP/ LESSON ON A LAGOON 420

We joined Louis onboard the Strictly Sail “Discover Sailing” trip aboard the Lagoon 420. Scott Vanerstrom, a captain from The Catamaran Company, hosted the trip which also offered basic lessons on how to sail a cat.

The boat was maxed out without people and it was great fun to see Miami in a fading sunset onboard this slick cat.

The great atmosphere on board combined with the delighted faces of the passengers sparked us to take literally hundreds of photographs.

Only Louis probably took more than us!

CONCLUSION:

It was a very interesting day and we were especially impressed by the multitude sailing boats and catamarans.

Furthermore we were surprised about the great opportunities which the Catamaran Company exclusively offered at this show.

The highlight of the day was the “discovery sailing” trip around scintillating Miami!

Seldom can a free trip on board such a brand new boat be found at a European boat show.

We hope to one day return to this great boat show!!

Cynthia Guerry and Timo Olbert, interns at the Catamaran Company.