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Ep15 - Miami Boat Show! | Vendors, Ideas & Refit Inspiration

Our first visit to the Miami Boat Show (DIBS) — exploring vendors, interviewing UGO Wear, and gathering ideas that would shape Roam’s refit journey.

Shawn Hammer

— 2 min read

Crew Update & Episode Overview

The Miami International Boat Show — also known as DIBS — is part spectacle, part industry hub, and part endurance event.

We started the day trying to navigate public transportation (spoiler: Apple Maps is not always your friend), and eventually made our way to the show — ready to look at boats, but more interested in what lives inside them.

At this stage, we knew a major refit was ahead. What we didn’t know yet was exactly how deep it would go.

This episode captures the beginning of that research phase — walking docks, talking to vendors, asking questions, and gathering ideas for everything from fabric to rigging to onboard storage.

📺 Watch EP15 👉

What We Were Looking For

We weren’t shopping for a new boat.

We were shopping for solutions.

With a refit on the horizon, we wanted to understand:

  • Fabric options that hold up offshore
  • Rigging upgrades
  • Clever storage systems
  • Hardware that simplifies life aboard
  • Durable gear built for real use

Boat shows are where you get to ask questions face-to-face — and sometimes the best ideas come from those conversations.

Below are the companies we highlight and interview during this episode:

Transparency Note

UGO Wear is a partner of Sailing Roam. We only partner with companies whose products we genuinely use aboard Roam. Any partnership or affiliate relationship is disclosed clearly.

Other companies mentioned in this episode are not partners and are included because we found their products interesting or relevant to our refit.

UGO Wear Interview Highlights

One of the most meaningful conversations at the show was with Melanie and Vicky from UGO Wear.

At the time, we were looking for waterproof, durable storage that could handle real-world marine conditions — not just “marine themed.”

Their messenger bags and device cases stood out because they’re:

  • Waterproof
  • Lightweight
  • Built for everyday use in wet environments
  • Practical for moving between boat, dinghy, and dock

That conversation eventually grew into a partnership — but it started with curiosity and real questions about how their gear performs in a marine environment.

Why This Episode Matters

Looking back, EP15 marks the beginning of a deeper shift.

This was when the refit stopped being abstract and started becoming intentional.

Instead of reacting to failures, we began researching improvements.

Instead of guessing, we started asking better questions.

And boat shows became less about spectacle — and more about strategy.

Wrap Up & What Comes Next

The Miami Boat Show gave us ideas.

The refit would test them.

In the episodes ahead, you’ll see many of these early conversations turn into real installations, upgrades, and lessons learned aboard Roam.

Because inspiration is easy.

Execution is where the real story begins.

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