The Palm Beach International Boat Show begins tomorrow and runs through the 25th of March.

This is the 27th annual boat show that have done in Palm Beach, FL.

Featuring $350 million worth of boats and accessories. In-water portion of the show is on the Intracoastal Waterway along Flagler Drive, show entrances at Evernia St./Flagler Dr. (waterfront) and North Clematis St./Flagler Dr. (waterfront).

Ticket costs:

• Adults: $14 each
• Kids (6-14): $5 each
• Kids under 6 are FREE
• Save $2 each ticket if you order online
• FREE shuttle buses to and from boat show

The Palma International Boat Show, which was planned for April 28-May 2, has been canceled for this year, according to a press announcement sent on behalf of the show's organizing committee.

The show will resume in April 2013. 

"The Palma show has always been run by a government department, which is in place to manage several trade and tourism fairs on the island each year,"the announcement stated. "The guiding principles behind the organising committee's remit are to ensure the Palma Boat Show can be economically viable, providing a value platform for exhibitors, and presenting a vibrant informative event for visitors."

The local government of Spain's Balearic Islands want to directly involve senior figures from the local yachting sector.

The organizing committee, which was set up in September, expects to present a new format with superyachts as well as smaller yachts exhibited, chances for young people to learn about the industry, seminars and cheaper tickets, the statement said.

Source: The Triton

As all of us yacht repair companies in the industry know it has been a very difficult time the last 3 to 4 years given the state of the economy, fuel and oil prices, and especially this election year, it has not been easy for companies to stay in business, or to have enough work to keep the business afloat.

So what typically happens in the yacht repair side of the industry is you see a lot of price reductions, discounting, undercutting, and out right head to head competition, it is easier for small companies out of a mobile truck or van to under cut on slash their prices versus an established company located inside the marina with a lot of overhead to consider.

3 types of mandatory required insurances:

• Workers compensation
• Long Shoremans
• Ships Repair General Liability (2 Million Dollars)

So I just wanted to say that our thoughts and prayers go out to Nautica Company at LMC who closed the doors last week. Its not easy to be in the yachting business and also be competitive, its an acquired skill to be learned over time, and in my opinion only the strong and customer service friends companies will survive.

Dennis Foster

 Foster's Yacht Services 

World Renowned Private Website Tracking System (One Of A Kind) 

FYS is the only Yacht Service and repair company, not only in South Florida but in all the United States, that allows owners, Captains, Insurance companies, surveyors, adjusters, underwriters, friends and family to follow and track the progress of their repair service or refit project. Doing so with pictures, text, verbiage and video and also daily and weekly schedules as far as what work has been completed or not completed and when it is scheduled to be completed.  They can also have their invoicing on line as per a special request only. It is especially helpful for Insurance Companies to track the damage repair and ensures there will not be any other claims for that particular project ever again, as the website stays active in our system for many years for complete documentation. It helps dealers commissioning vessels to track and keep records for all warranty work and the same for manufacturers. It also equally helps the Captains and owners by allowing them to click on the site and watch the project evolve fully documented and managed. Wow, what a way to follow the transformation of the refit or repair right online from your computer with others as well, and watch it come together.

Says owner Dennis Foster, President & CEO of Foster's -

Dennis says the reason why he created this process, was that owners, Captains, brokers and surveyors would call him every 5 minutes asking him what's going on with my boat and when will it be finished.  There is only value added here at Foster's where owners can stay informed and watch every step of the process 24/7 right from the comfort of their computer.

We wouldn't have it any other way, says Dennis Foster,  it has been very well received by our very demanding customers and provides us with a way to give them exactly what they want, a way to be kept informed through the entire project from start to finish.