Get a firsthand look at the practical skills taught through the Catamaran Gurus Sailing School. These complimentary sessions are short, live demonstrations designed to introduce you to essential boat-handling and cruising skills.
Escape the Crowds. Step Aboard.
FREE Admission with RSVP
Friday, October 30 & Saturday, October 31, 2026
10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Loggerhead Marina — 1400 Marina Dr, Hollywood, Florida
If you’re attending the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show and looking to compare catamarans, ownership programs, and real-world cruising solutions without fighting the crowds, join us at our Fall Open House in Hollywood, Florida.
For two days, Catamaran Gurus will showcase an exceptional collection of new and brokerage sailing and power catamarans, ownership opportunities, and expert guidance just minutes from the Fort Lauderdale Boat Show.
Whether you’re actively shopping, exploring charter ownership, considering yacht ownership as a business, or simply dreaming about your next adventure on the water, this is your opportunity to step aboard, meet industry experts, connect with experienced owners, and explore these yachts in a relaxed dockside setting.
Don’t miss our complimentary workshops, “Find Your Perfect Boat—Before You Even Start Shopping”. This eye-opening seminar will help you avoid one of the biggest mistakes buyers make: choosing a boat before defining how they truly want to use it. Also, if you are interested in yacht management, the “Boat as a Business” seminar is for you. Alternately, join the sailing school for a demo on “how to prepare a boat for sea on a long passage“.
Free Workshops / Seminars
Find Your Perfect Boat—Before You Start Shopping
Friday, October 30 at 11:00 a.m.
The biggest mistake many future cruisers make is choosing a boat before deciding how they truly want to use it. This seminar will help you define your cruising goals and narrow your search with clarity and confidence.
What you’ll learn:
- How to define your cruising timeline and destinations
- Charter ownership versus private ownership
- Coastal cruising versus bluewater sailing
- How to establish a realistic purchase and operating budget
- Which boat style, layout and features fit your lifestyle
- What to know about financing, insurance, surveys and paperwork
Boat as a Business & Crewed Yacht Seminar
Saturday, October 31 at 11:00 AM
Discover how yacht ownership can become more financially attainable through professional charter management—and what goes into operating a successful crewed charter yacht.
What you’ll learn:
- How the Boat as a Business program works
- Potential tax advantages and available ownership structures
- Charter revenue, expenses and financing considerations
- How professional charter management supports owners
- Choosing the right yacht and charter destination
- Owner-use options, seasonality and market demand
- The roles of the captain and crew
- How crews create an exceptional charter experience, from provisioning and guest preferences to dining and service
You’ll also have the opportunity to meet charter professionals, captains, chefs and current yacht owners—and get candid answers about the realities of ownership and charter operations.
Both seminars are complimentary with your Open House RSVP.
Meet our Chefs in the Galley & Dockside Cocktails with the Captains
Live Galley Demonstration
From Preference Sheet to Fabulous
Friday, October 30 at 3:00 PM
Saturday, October 31 at 3:00 PM
Aboard the Bali 5.8 Snapdragon
Watch a professional charter chef turn guest preferences into fabulous onboard cuisine. This live demonstration takes you through the process—from interpreting preference sheets and planning menus to provisioning, galley preparation and beautiful presentation.
The chefs will prepare and serve some of their favorite onboard appetizers while sharing practical tips for:
- Planning and provisioning for a voyage
- Cooking creatively in a yacht galley
- Accommodating dietary needs and guest preferences
- Entertaining with limited space and resources
- Creating an unforgettable dining experience at sea
If you own a charter boat or are in the process of buying a charter boat, this is for you! Spaces are limited. Please specify if you are a boat owner, boat size, make/ model in the RSVP or your intent to buy a charter boat.
Dockside Cocktails with the Team
After the demonstration, wind down with dockside cocktails aboard our office on the water, Seaty. Meet our captains and team while chatting about cruising destinations, yacht ownership, power-catamaran innovations and life on the water.
Sailing Boats on Display
New Catamarans
- Bali 5.8 Owner’s version
- Bali 5.8 Crewed Charter version
- Bali 5.4 Crewed charter
- Bali 5.2 Owner’s version
- Bali 4.6
- Bali 4.4 Sailing School
- Bali 4.2
Brokerage Yachts
- Select brokerage power catamarans
Sailing & Powerboat School Demonstrations
Powerboat Handling Demonstration
Friday, October 30 at 10:00 AM – Fully booked
Saturday, October 31 at 10:00 AM – Fully booked
Join our instructors aboard our training powerboat for a practical demonstration covering boat handling, docking, close-quarters maneuvering, onboard safety and crew communication.
How to Prepare a Boat for Going to Sea
Friday, October 30 at 2:00 PM | Aboard the Bali 4.4
Learn how to prepare a sailing catamaran before leaving the dock. Our instructors will walk through essential pre-departure checks, safety equipment, onboard systems, sail preparation and crew responsibilities aboard the Bali 4.4.
Meet the Experts, Owners & Cruising Community
One of the most valuable parts of the Open House is meeting people who are already living the lifestyle. Step aboard, hear their stories and ask candid questions about private ownership, bareboat charter, crewed charter and Boat as a Business.
Debbie & Robert Rainford
Persistence | Lagoon 450 | Private Ownership
Learn about their experience owning and cruising aboard a privately operated catamaran.
Blake & Britney Fotheringham
Location | Bali 5.8 | Crewed Charter
Discover what goes into owning and operating a professionally crewed charter yacht.
Stephen & Estelle Cockcroft
Snapdragon | Bali 5.8 | Boat as a Business and Private Ownership
Hear how they combine personal use with the Boat as a Business ownership model.
Skip & Michelle
Bali 4.4 | Bareboat Charter
Learn about placing a yacht in bareboat charter and transitioning between charter operations and private ownership.
Small fact-check before publishing: the current page identifies Location as a Bali 5.4, while your new information says Bali 5.8. I’d confirm the model before updating it.
Why Attend?
Compare Multiple Yachts Side-by-Side
View several Bali models, power catamarans, and brokerage opportunities in one convenient location.
Explore Ownership Options
Learn about yacht ownership, charter management, tax strategies, and financing opportunities.
Meet the Community
Connect with owners, instructors, brokers, charter professionals, and fellow boaters.
Enjoy a Relaxed Setting
Skip the crowded docks and enjoy personalized tours, conversations, and demonstrations at your own pace.
RSVP Today
Planning to attend the Fort Lauderdale Boat Show? Make sure to add the Catamaran Gurus Open House to your schedule and experience a more personal way to explore yacht ownership.
Reserve your spot today and receive event updates, yacht additions, and marina access details.
Make an Appointment
