The Ft. Lauderdale boat show is the big event of the season in South Florida. According to Yacht Management’s Joshua Kerrigan, the event kicks off the winter boating season in South Florida, an important time for yacht owners and for yachting enthusiasts alike. For Joshua Kerrigan, who owns and operates one of the biggest yacht management companies in the region, it also marks the beginning of his busy season. This year, Joshua Kerrigan says the show was more of a success than ever, and he thinks it bodes quite well for the whole of the season.

2013 marked the 54th year of the boat show, says Joshua Kerrigan, and it has never been more popular. Attendance was up nearly 30%, according to the show’s management team. There were a great number of boats in every category, particularly the 80 foot and under category, an important one for Florida’s south waterways. According to Joshua Kerrigan, a majority of the big boats on the water fall into this category.

In addition to the high turnout, Joshua Kerrigan and his company enjoyed a good measure of success themselves, acquiring six new boats to add to their fleet. Three of the six were from first-time yacht buyers, a category that Joshua Kerrigan believes is a sign of the overall regeneration of the economy and a great sign of things to come.

“It’s going to be a great season both for the boaters and for Yacht Management,” Joshua Kerrigan was quoted as saying. “We’ve got strong turnouts, lots of great boats in the water, new buyers coming into the game, and everything. It all makes for a thrilling start to what promises to be a wonderful, record-setting season here in South Florida.”

Joshua Kerrigan’s company is responding to the increased traffic in yacht interest by expanding into another marina with greater dry dock capabilities. Already, the company’s marinas are full for the season, says Joshua Kerrigan, who is unable to keep up with demand for slip space. “It’s a good problem to have,” he was quoted as saying. “I wouldn’t trade our situation for the world.”