From sportfishers to superyachts and engines to accessories, the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show (FLIBS) showcases an astounding variety of items to explore, and this year is no exception. You can find everything from high-performance Cigarette boats to slow-going trawlers and brokerage yachts to the latest models from international builders. Risa Merl picks a few of the things we are looking forward to seeing at FLIBS 2024.
Must-see American debuts
FLIBS is the venue where many a builder will showcase their boats in the US for the first time, aiming to make a splash in America. Ocean Alexander yachts have proven popular in the US market, so it’s no surprise that a few yachts from this venerable Taiwanese builder will be making an appearance at FLIBS. Designed by Evan K. Marshall, the first Ocean Alexander 28L will be showing off its versatile living areas. The Ocean Alexander 35 Puro, designed by Giorgio M.Cassetta in collaboration with Andrea Agrusta of NavalHEAD, will also be making an American encore (after appearing at the Palm Beach show last spring), so step on board to appreciate her spacious 11-metre-long upper deck.
The Italians hit town
This year, quite a few Italian brands are showing off models for the first time as well. Look out for the US debut of the Benetti Abbentures ², which marks the first time the Italian builder will show a yacht from its Diamond 44M series stateside. Delivered in 2023, the yacht features dynamic exteriors by Giorgio M. Cassetta.
Also making its American premiere is the new flagship from Cantiere del Pardo Yachts. With a forward-raked windscreen and reverse bow, the 22.8-metre Pardo GT75 makes a striking profile on the water, and its bulwarks unfurl for a spacious day boat living close to the water’s edge.
A fine vintage
Classic Feadship lovers rejoice as FLIBS is the chance to see the 50.99-metre Feadship Double Haven, launched in 1993, for the first time. It’s also the first yacht to be shown in the Dutch builder’s new Feadship Resale division, which seeks to complement the brokerage industry by profiling the history and exacting specifications of its yachts offered for sale.
Double Haven is fresh off an extensive refit, completed this year. Interesting features on board include her flexible aft deck, where the tender bay can transform into a watersports activity centre, and the upper deck, which served as a self-contained apartment with a balcony and a private lounge for her original owners. Enabling long-range cruising, she also boasts a fuel capacity of 120,000 litres, said to be 30 per cent bigger than other yachts of her size, and immense storage for provisioning.
Electric Ferraris and explorers
The only thing better than an actual Ferrari? A hand-crafted, scaled-down electric recreation made by Hedley Studios. Each Hedley is inspired by an iconic vehicle that’s no longer being made. You can see the Hedley Ferrari Testa Rossa Italia exhibited on the deck of the Explorer EX62 docked in the Bahia Mar Marina.
Hedley Studios is also collaborating with Northrop & Johnson in partnership with Interluxe Group to show off two of its models at the brokerage’s estate, where the broker will welcome clients during the show. Meanwhile, more Hedley models, ranging from Bugatti to Aston Martin recreations, can be seen in the Superyacht Village at Pier 66 Marina.
Big, fast fishers
While the recent launch of the 52-metre Special One, the world’s largest true sportfisher by Dutch yard Royal Huisman has put international eyes on sportfish yachts, America is still undoubtedly the most popular market for the sportfishing set. So it’s no surprise some of the best-known sportfish brands will be making debuts at FLIBS.
Viking, for instance, will be introducing two new yachts, its Viking 82 Convertible and Viking 74 Convertible. Powered by twin 2,635hp MTU 16V 2000 M96Ls engines, the Viking 74 Convertible is expected to ride out to the fishing knots at 42 knots at full load with a cruise of 36 knots.
Other new sportfish boats on display include the Spencer 80 and the Bertram 80, while there will be quite a few deals to scoop up a brokerage sportfish, like the 2021 Rybovich 94 III Amigos, listed by Galati.
Read More/The most exciting new yachts at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show 2024