TAMPA — One of the perks of having a Super Bowl party right on the Riverwalk, it’s very inclusive for boaters.
This year Tampa built a temporary marina for some of the biggest, most expensive, luxurious boats you’re going to find. It’s called the Yacht Village.
Captain Robert Babuto loves giving tours of the 112-foot-long, $16 million dollar yacht, named “Everglade.”
“The owners were big, big New England fans so when Tom moved to Tampa they became great big Tampa fans,” said Barbuto.
“Everglade” is one of a dozen floating parties docked at Yacht Village, next to the Convention Center, this weekend.
“You don’t see these kinds of yachts on this coast all that often, a lot of times these mega yachts are on the east coast or the Mediterranean so to see them in Tampa is awesome,” said Joe Collier, with Main Sail Lodging and Development.
Fans on the Riverwalk are so close to the stern, they might just spot a celebrity walking the deck.
“Further down there was another boat and they had supermodels and they were doing a photoshoot last night,” said Barbuto.
As we inch closer to kickoff, the rivalry intensifies between ships.
“Tell Shon I said, ‘up his bucket and go Chiefs,’” said Chiefs fan Eric Dunn, as he yelled to his friend across the water.
Chiefs fans may be outnumbered, but they’re not afraid to air out their confidence. Dunn had several Chiefs flag flapping across his yacht.
“Every once in a while we’ll get a thumbs down or something but I think they know the Chiefs are going to win too, so they don’t say much,” said Dunn.
While Bucs fans say it’s the Chiefs, who are going to need a lifeboat.
“Well I’ve actually gotten with the Mystic Krew and I’m trying to get a couple of their canons so I can send a couple shots across the bow if need be, The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are coming for him,” said Shon Craig.
According to Collier, there is even talk to make Yacht Village a permanent staple in downtown.
