PHOTOS BY Kate Bush
The 62nd annual Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show kicked off on October 27 and was back to full capacity, featuring about 700 boats on display over several venues. Lakeland Boating walked the docks to see all the new boat debuts. Here are a few highlights from the show.
- Absolute had two American debuts: The 48 Coupé, the first of the new sports range with a large terrace cockpit, and 60 FLY, a versatile and spacious yacht.
- Aquila had two power cats making their boat show debut: The Aquila 36 Sport and the flagship Aquila 70 Luxury Power Catamaran.
- Azimut’s Verve 42 made its world premiere as an outboard-powered boat with a layout featuring generous, comfortable spaces for relaxation and socializing.
- The Beneteau Grand Trawler 62, which made its world debut, is designed to let you travel uninterrupted for days on end in pure luxury.
- Blackfin had its new 232DC on display at the Convention Center, featuring a crossover design that allows for everything from offshore fishing excursions to cruising the Great Lakes.
- Cutwater’s new C-288 Coupe is all about versatility. Transform the cockpit with the “sunset seat,” fold-down gunwale seats and an opening glass bulkhead lounge.
- The all-new Chris-Craft Catalina 24 debuted at FLIBS, featuring a center console design, the classic Chris-Craft tumblehome transom and Deep-V hull with Carolina Flare Bow.
- Cruisers 34 GLS made its FLIBS debut. This 34-footer features clean lines, a roomy floorplan and a couple of Mercury 300s.
- Hinckley’s new 35 boasts speeds up to 48 mph and features a brand-new Hinckley innovation, the ClearView single-pane windshield.
- Four Winns had its brand-new H2 and H4 bowrider models on display at the Convention center. Read more about the H4 in our Boat Test on p. 28.
- Maritimo had two American debuts: The M55 and S55. These two models both boast an LOA of 56 feet, 8 inches, but the S55 is an offshore adventuring Sedan and the M55 is a long-range cruising Flybridge. Maritimo also revealed its plans for a new S60, which will debut in mid-2022.
- Regal’s new LX36 and 38 FXO made their world debuts. The LX36 is a day yacht with a retractable hardtop and windshield walk-through. The 38 FXO is an outboard-powered flybridge yacht with an open-air cockpit and salon.
- The Riviera 645 SUV, which made its America’s premier, is the largest model in Riviera’s SUV collection, offering three or four stateroom accommodations.
- Solace partnered with Volvo Penta on the brand-new 415CS, which is powered by Volvo Penta’s innovative twin inboard Aquamatic.
- Sunseeker had two U.S. debuts: The Manhattan 55 and 65 Sport Yacht.
- Viking Yachts showed off its brand-new 64 Convertible, as well as unveiled plans for the Viking 90, which will make its debut at the 2023 Miami Yacht Show.
- Walker Bay’s REVO 21, a 21-foot luxury sport RIB, has a 12 passenger capacity and even features a console that houses a portable head or changing area.
- Zeelander revealed its new model, the Zeelander 5, which will launch in 2022 and will offer completely customizable finishes.
