Informa/Forest Johnson
The world’s largest in-water boating extravaganza, Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show—that’s FLIBS for short—opens its doors Wednesday, October 25 this year for a five-day run. It will have seven venues with more than 1,300 boats on display.
Changes for this year’s show include an expanded Superyacht Village with more superyachts than ever, plus the addition of a new Designers’ Pavilion featuring many of the world’s top yacht design studios.
Looking for a new supercar to go with your superyacht? There’s a new “Car Exhibition at the Hall of Fame Marina” showcasing the latest in exotic machinery.
But, of course, FLIBS is all about the boats, lots of them. As you’re walking the docks, these are 11 show stoppers that you won’t want to miss.
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Lürssen ‘Marguerite’
Image Credit: Moran Yacht & Ship Looking to escape the madding crowd? The 201-foot, Lürssen Marguerite is designed to go off the grid for up to 30 days. The vessel also a 7,700-nautical-mile range at a friendly cruise speed. Launched in 2004 as Avanti, and then renamed Phoenix, the yacht was christened Marguerite after an ownership change in 2021. Designed by U.K.-based Andrew Winch, one of the yacht’s many highlights includes a self-contained, two-story owner’s apartment on the main and upper decks, complete with an observation lounge, a private outdoor retreat on the foredeck, and a floating staircase to a private office. Capable of carrying a Bell Jet Ranger on the foredeck, the helicopter deck also doubles as a party place with sun lounges and a 10-person hot tub. Marguerite is listed with Moran Yacht & Ship for $48 million.
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Viareggio Superyachts ‘Atomic’
Image Credit: IYC Launched in 2020, the 209-foot Atomic includes one of the best onboard dive centers of any superyacht to accommodate owner Dan Huish’s passion for scuba. With a fold-down, sea-level terrace and specialized storage for dozens wet suits and dive tanks, the yacht was also designed to explore the world’s most remote dive spots. A state-of-the-art dynamic positioning system can keep Atomic in one place without having to drop anchor hook possibly damage the seabed. Designed by Espen Øino International and built in Italy by Viareggio Superyachts, this steel-and-aluminum superyacht was designed to travel the world. The boat has a 5,300-nautical-mile range at 12 knots, but the twin 2,680 hp Caterpillar diesels deliver a 17-knot top speed. Atomic is listed with IYC for $63 million.
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Icon ‘Party Girl’
Image Credit: Merle Wood & Associates This sleek 205-foot superyacht from the Dutch builder Icon is all about having fun. As a successful charter yacht—it rents for up to $490,000 a week—the vessel (and its 12 guests) has a small armada of water toys at their disposal, including a trio of Yamaha WaveRunners, seabobs, a wakeboard, a kayak, and an oversized water slide, plus no fewer than four tenders. Reportedly owned by Pet Supermarkets founder Charles West, Party Girl also has the legs to party at the end of the world, courtesy of its 6,000 nautical-mile range. Launched in 2013 as Meridian and heavily updated in 2019, superyacht has distinctive lines from the drawing board of the U.K. studio RWD, with interior design by Cristiano Gatto. One of the many highlights includes a salon that stretches over 55 feet and includes a formal dining area with seating for 14. Party Girl is listed with Merle Wood & Associates for $52.5 million.
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Tankoa ‘Casino Royale’
Image Credit: Tankoa Likely to be the biggest superyacht at FLIBS, the headlining 236-foot Casino Royale is making an appearance in Fort Lauderdale to showcase the workmanship of its Italian builder, Tankoa Yachts. Launched as Solo in 2018, reportedly for billionaire Italian media mogul Carlo de Benedetti, the yacht defines Italian style and opulence. One of its most spectacular features is its full-deck owner’s apartment, with doors leading out on to a helipad allowing the owner to step straight out of the helicopter and into his suite. That, and a dining room with a huge aquarium engineered not to ripple the water even while the yacht is under way. After an extensive refit in 2021/22 that included a switch from stark white paint to a rich copper color, Solo was put on the market and sold in May this year when the name was changed to Casino Royale. The last asking price was €66 million ($68 million).
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Azimut Magellano 60
Image Credit: Azimut Yachts Fresh from its global debut at the September Cannes boat show, Azimut’s lovely, fast trawler-esque Magellano 60 will make the trip to FLIBS for its US premiere. From the drawing board of designer Ken Freivokh, who also penned the 60’s larger sisterships, it features the same trademark teak strakes on the cockpit sides, the same vertical bow, and versatile foredeck for sunning and socializing. Power from twin 730 hp MAN diesels with shaft drives deliver a 24-knot top speed with relaxed cruising at 18. Below-decks are three spacious cabins, with the full-beam master located amidships. In addition to the Magellano 60, Azimut is also doing the U.S. launch of its new outboard-powered Verve 48 with triple Mercury V12 600s at FLIBS, along with the updated Grand 36M and S7 models. The Magellano 60 is priced around $2.8 million.
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Baglietto ‘Blue Ice’
Image Credit: FGI Yachts Paint big numbers on the hull and this Italian stallion from famed builder Baglietto could easily be mistaken for some stealthy navy patrol vessel— especially with that head-turning, forward-position wheelhouse. Even the top deck funnel has the menacing look of an anti-aircraft gun installation. The black hull and battleship-gray superstructure only add to the yacht’s don’t-mess-with-me appearance. And like any good gunboat, the vessel is fast. Twin 2,200 hp MTU engines, coupled with a skinny five-foot draft and lightweight aluminum construction, provide an impressive 28-knot top speed. Delivered in 1999 and extensively re-fitted in 2016, the minimalist Aldo Cichero interior offers accommodations for up to 10 in four staterooms. Blue Ice has a $4.29 million asking price with FGI Yachts.
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Gulf Craft Majesty 111
Image Credit: Gulf Craft Talk about a world traveler. Emirates-based Gulf Craft debuted its brand-new Majesty 111 superyacht at the Dubai boat show last April. Then it was off to the Monaco Yacht Show last month, where it picked up a “Best Interior Design” award. Now it’s making its U.S. appearance at FLIBS. Designed in collaboration with Dutch studio Phathom, the 110-footer is filled with floor-to-ceiling glass in its expansive salon. It also has five cabins below-decks, plus a spacious main-deck master suite with a skylight that looks up into the foredeck plunge pool. The yacht is also surprisingly quick, with a pair of MAN V-12 diesels that deliver a top speed of 20 knots. With a draft of five and a half feet, the vessel is ideal for the often-shallow waters of the Bahamas. The price is around $12 million.
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Cigarette Racing 52 Thunder
Image Credit: Cigarette Racing If there’s the rumble of thunder around the FLIBS docks this year, it won’t necessarily be South Florida weather. It’ll come from the latest speed demon from Miami’s Cigarette Racing and its jaw-dropping new 52 Thunder Center Console. Slotting into the Cigarette lineup between the 42-foot Auroris and 59-foot Tirranna, this new Thunder lives up to it name courtesy of its six, Mercury Racing 500R V-8 outboards. That adds up to a staggering 3,000 hp. Top speed? That would be in excess of 80 knots. Styled in collaboration with Italian designer Giorgio Cassetta, the Thunder combines speed with comfort, thanks to its multitude of flashy, red-trimmed leather-upholstered seating and spacious air-conditioned cabin. The 52’s 14-foot beam ensures plenty of walkaround space, with the rear cockpit making a great access point to the water, or an under-the-stars dance floor. Base price is $3.1 million.
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Aquila 47 Molokai
Image Credit: Aquila Yachts Florida-based Aquila is debuting its new 47 Molokai, aiming at the big-game offshore fishing market. The big brother to the Molokai 28, this battlewagon features double-stepped hulls and a raised tunnel between the twin hulls that combine to minimize pounding in big seas. With a 14-foot, seven-inch beam, the yacht offers exceptional space and a rock-solid platform for offshore trolling. When the family is along for the ride, the accommodations include foredeck lounges and a stylish, air-conditioned stateroom below with an island queen bed, with separate head and shower. Outboard choices range from twin 600 hp Mercury V-12s, or a quartet of new 400 hp Mercury V-10s, each giving a 50-knot-plus top speed. At a friendly cruise speed, the 1,048-gallon tanks should give a range of up to 800 nautical miles. Pricing to be announced at the show.
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Princess Y95
Image Credit: Princess Yachts Talk about prolific. Britain’s Princess Yachts has debuted brand-new models at recent European boat shows—the all-new S72 was one of the stars of last month’s Southampton show, while the new Y80 was a show-stopper at Cannes. Neither will be making a grand entrance at this year’s FLIBS, with the builder choosing instead to give the first U.S. airings to its Y95 and X80 mini superyachts. The Y95 is the headliner here, with its combination of luxury and performance. Powered by a pair of 2,000 hp MAN V-12s, this 95-footer can hit a top speed of 24 knots. The Y95 looks sleek and stylish with its near bow-to-stern hull windows and the hardtop that looks like it’s floating atop the yacht. Pricing starts at around $16 million.
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Riviera 585 SUV
Image Credit: Riviera Yachts The 585 SUV is the latest addition to Riviera’s five-model SUV line-up. Strong points include its roomy and protected aft cockpit, its foredeck lounge area and three-stateroom layout (including a full-width owner’s suite.) It’s also a yacht full of innovative design touches and an impressive level of craftsmanship. Standard power is a pair of 900 hp Volvo D13 diesels mated to IPS drives, with the option of 1,000 hp versions. Top speed with the bigger engines is 35 knots, with a 400-nautical-mile range at 21 knots. Pricing is about $3.6 million.