Your next boat should fit your life and your budget. The 67th Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, running Oct. 28 through Nov. 1, 2026, lets you compare vessels, talk with dealers, and explore financing before you buy.
With more than 50 debut vessels and approximately 130 superyachts expected, there will be plenty to see. But your most important destination is a purchase you can comfortably afford.
Start with how you will enjoy your recreational boat
Before you visit, decide what you want your boat to do. Will you fish offshore, explore the Intracoastal, cruise with family, or make occasional weekend trips? Consider passenger capacity, storage, towing requirements, and whether you prefer a new or used vessel.
Then, build your budget around ownership, not just the purchase price. Include insurance, dockage or storage, fuel, maintenance, safety equipment, registration, and any trailer expenses. Leave room for unexpected repairs without draining your emergency savings.
Use those numbers to establish a purchase ceiling before a beautiful boat or a persuasive sales pitch changes your plans.
Look for incentives, but compare the complete deal
The show may offer opportunities to negotiate. Rolando Hernandez, Tropical Financial Credit Union’s consumer underwriting manager, told the South Florida Sun-Sentinel that dealers and brokers are offering incentives and rebates this year, particularly on smaller boats.
“Not all boat manufacturers do it,” Hernandez told the newspaper. “I’ve seen it mostly on the smaller boats 25 feet and below. Sometimes a boat has been there since the beginning of the year, and they want to get it off the lot.”
Ask each seller for a written, itemized price that identifies equipment, delivery charges, taxes, fees, and optional products. Clarify whether an advertised incentive requires dealer financing or replaces another discount. Compare similarly equipped boats rather than relying on sticker prices alone.
Explore financing before you shop
Getting preapproved can help you establish your price range and evaluate financing offers with greater confidence. Tropical Financial recommends applying before you find your boat. Applications on its website take less than 10 minutes, and it generally provides a status update within 24 to 48 hours. Some applications may take longer based on specific needs.
“We changed our rates, and we wanted to help out our members,” Hernandez told the Sun-Sentinel. “Last year we weren’t getting as much boat movement. So we decided to change the rate.”
Eligibility for the lowest rate depends on factors including creditworthiness, the boat’s year, down payment, repayment term, and loan-to-value ratio. Rates and offers can change, and other conditions apply.
Compare annual percentage rates, loan terms, fees, and total repayment costs, not just monthly payments. Ask how different down payments and terms would affect both your payment and the interest you would pay.
Inspect the boat before committing
Use your show visit to compare layouts, seating, visibility, storage, and access to equipment. Ask what comes standard, what costs extra, and how warranty service works.
For a used boat, request maintenance records and ask about previous damage, engine hours and repair history. Discuss an independent marine survey and sea trial before finalizing the purchase. Confirm deposit refund terms, inspection contingencies, and delivery expectations in writing.
Also check financing eligibility before falling in love with an older vessel. Tropical Financial’s published guidelines generally limit used boats to 10 years old or newer and exclude boats classified or used as dwellings.
Plan your visit and your next steps
The show spans six venues. Bahia Mar features center consoles, accessories, and electronics, while the Broward County Convention Center showcases fishing boats, runabouts, and cruisers. Tickets are sold online only, and boarding access remains at each manufacturer’s, dealer’s or broker’s discretion.
Ready to explore your options? Visit Tropical Financial Credit Union’s boat financing webpage to review current rates and apply. For help with boat financing, call 888-261-8328 and ask to speak with a loan representative about eligibility, documentation, and available terms.