The must-see new yachts at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show 2017

There will be around 1,200 boats at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show 2017 — far too many to visit in five days. Kate Lardy picks out the best of the best...

One of the largest yachts on display at FLIBS 2017, Vanish was delivered by Feadship in May 2016, sporting exterior styling by Harrison Eidsgaard and De Voogt Naval Architects. Key features include a pair of superyacht helipads, situated fore and aft, as well as a globetrotting range of 5,200 nautical miles when cruising at 12 knots.

Length: 66.25 metres
Builder: Feadship
Exterior design: Harrison Eidsgaard / Feadship De Voogt Naval Architects
Interior design: Harrison Eidsgaard

With the goal of re-imagining the flybridge yacht, Adler Yacht, a new Swiss brand, brought together German and Austrian engineers and Italian designers and craftsmen. The result is the 23.09 metre Adler Suprema, which shows plenty of fresh thinking, with lightweight carbon construction and hybrid propulsion that allows silent cruising up to 10 knots, a 28 knot top speed in diesel mode and 50 per cent fuel savings over conventional set-ups.

Length: 23.09 metres
Builder: Adler Yacht
Exterior and interior design: Nuvolari Lenard

Inspired by her little sister the 66 GLX, which made its debut at Yachts Miami Beach last year, the Astondoa 80 GLX inherits the same large side windows. This revamped rendition showing in Fort Lauderdale also boasts a reconfigured flybridge and new interior palette of warm colours and materials. She’s fast, too, topping out at 31 knots.

Length: 24.92 metres
Builder / exterior and interior design: Astondoa

Book Ends is a classic, luxurious yacht with timeless exterior lines matched by a rich interior, both designed by some of the industry’s best. Her performance is also superlative; her MTU 8V 4000s pushed her beyond the contractual top speed, reaching 15.6 knots during sea trials.

Length: 47 metres
Builder: Heesen
Exterior design: Omega Architects
Interior design: Bannenberg & Rowell

Although she is hull number 11 in the ISA Sport 120 series, Clorinda is very much a different animal to her predecessors. This 36 metre fast cruiser is the first yacht to be launched since the Ancona-based yard was acquired by the Palumbo Group in August 2016. The new parent company brought in Enrico Gobbi Team For Design to further refine her styling. Notable tweaks include dark tinted glass inserts in the superstructure, a side-loading tender garage and a skylight in the master suite.

Length: 36.45 metres
Builder: ISA Yachts
Exterior design: Andrea Vallicelli / Enrico Gobbi Team For Design
Interior design: Cristiano Gatto

A 2016 launch for German yard Abeking & Rasmussen, 72 metre Cloudbreak looks set to steal the show at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show 2017. Currently offered for charter, this Espen Øino-designed yacht was built to take on the world, with a fully-certified helideck, ski room and truly impressive tender garage.

Length: 72.25 metres
Builder: Abeking & Rasmussen
Exterior design: Espen Øino
Interior design: Christian Liaigre

The M90 Panacera’s styling makes it an instantly recognisable member of Hatteras’ Motor Yacht family. The open-concept interior includes a new option: the builder’s first hydraulic superyacht balcony, and the atrium skylight first shown on the M75 is even bigger here, filling the interior with light. The M90 also introduces the HattCON ship management system, which integrates navigation, monitoring and automation functions into a simple touchscreen.

Length: 27.95 metres
Builder / exterior and interior design: Hatteras Yachts

Unveiled two years ago as Project Nova, Home is a ground-breaking vessel for Heesen, combining a fuel-efficient fast displacement hull with hybrid propulsion. Electric shaft motors silently push Home to nine knots without the main engines. With mains on, they act as generators, providing enough power for hotel loads. Styling is cutting edge, inspired by a beach villa and emphasising a close connection to the sea with large expanses of glass.

Length: 49.8 metres
Builder: Heesen
Exterior design: Omega Architects
Interior design: Cristiano Gatto

Horizon’s new FD range represents a styling departure for the Taiwanese builder, with a plumb bow and floor to ceiling windows fronted by cut-out bulwarks for even bigger views out. The fast displacement hull gives the Horizon FD85 efficiency over a range of speeds and her wide beam means tremendous interior volume. Hull No 3 will be in the US and it features a main deck master and warm anigre and walnut throughout. The yard is also exhibiting its latest Horizon RP110 yacht at FLIBS 2017.

Length: 26.07 metres
Builder / interior design: Horizon
Exterior design: Cor D Rover

Outer Reef has found great demand for this 860 Deluxbridge Skylounge model, as long distance cruisers seem to really appreciate the climate controlled, all weather, protected helm. The configuration on HQ negates the need for a lower helm, which allows for an expanded galley. Accommodation also mimics superyachts, with four guest cabins and two crew cabins.

Length: 26.3 metres
Builder / exterior design: Outer Reef Yachts
Interior design: A La Mer