Arguably the main yacht show in the United States, the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show 2019 is set to start on the 30th of October and last for a total of 5 days. In 2017, the parent company of the Monaco Yacht Show, spent $133 million to acquire a portfolio of shows, which included FLIBS, which celebrates its 60th edition this year.
This year, visitors will find nearly 1,200 boats on display across seven different locations in Florida, not to mention around 1,000 exhibitors. That all will transform the Fort Lauderdale city into a hive of on-water activity. The show’s locations will cover:
- The Bahia Mar Fort Lauderdale Beach Hotel & Yachting Centre
- Hall of Fame Marina
- Las Olas Municipal Marina
- Hilton Fort Lauderdale Marina
- Sails Marina
- Pier 66 Marina (Superyacht Village)
- The Greater Fort Lauderdale/Broward County Convention Centre.
A new feature of this year’s layout, The Superyacht Village will be unveiled for the first time. Located along Pier 66, the newly opened 3.5-acre space will be capable of hosting yachts of up to 121 metres in LOA.
Yacht Harbour takes a look at the largest yachts on display at the upcoming show.
Charter in winter: from $1,400,000 p/w
The largest superyacht on the show, the 95-metre superyacht Madsummer is set to make her international debut at FLIBS after a recent delivery to her owner, a repeat client with Lürssen. First known as Project Fiji it took nearly 2,5 years to build her under supervision of the owner’s captain and brokerage company Moran Yacht & Ship.
With a 14-metre beam, the exterior profile of Madsummer comes from a British designer Harrison Eidsgaard maintaining sleek and elegant lines within impressive volumes. The interior design aimed at up to 20 guests across 10 suites comes from drawing boards by Laura Sessa.
The vessel's main trademarks are the 12-metre swimming pool and Jacuzzi laid on the aft deck, protected with glass bulwarks. Spacious beach club and spa zone with a sea terrace on the lower deck also belong on the list of Madsummer’s special features. The bow is equipped with a helipad, while the sun deck aft features hidden crane in the bulwark, able to handle an aeroboat.
The superyacht is available for charter in the Mediterranean in summer period and in Caribbean/Bahamas in winter.
Builder: Amels (2016)
LOA: 83m
Charter in winter: from approx. $ 1,353,400 p/w
The largest Amels superyacht to date, Here Comes The Sun became her Russian owner's 4th superyacht named after The Beatles' song. The superyacht features exterior design by Tim Heywood and interior style by Winch Design.
Amongst her main features are a 5.5-metre swimming pool aft of the main deck, an extensive 87-square-metre beach club area located right underneath with a sitting area, sauna and gym. Other amenities also include a cinema room and a large Jacuzzi on the sundeck.
As for the accommodation, there are 8 guest cabins on board and space for 27 crew. The six-decks yacht comprises 900 square metres of outside deck space and a garage capable of storing four jet skis and two 11m tenders.
Meanwhile, the superyacht generated one of the highest charter revenues during the summer 2017, estimated at €9-9.5 million.
#3. Excellence
Builder: Abeking & Rasmussen (2019)
LOA: 80m
Charter in winter: from $ 1,100,000 p/w
Photo: Dutch Yachting
The vessel is believed to be owned by Herb Chambers, American billionaire and the owner of a network of six dozen dealerships in Massachusetts. He is also famous for his collection of exotic cars. The automotive dealership mogul estimated at $1.5 billion by Forbes.
The sixth largest vessel of Abeking & Rasmussen, Excellence features both exteriors and interiors developed by the UK-based design studio Winch Design. Her framework relies on the same technical platform as the 81-metre Grace (ex. Kibo), featuring a 12.6- metre beam and a maximum draught of 3.5 metres.
Key exterior trademark of Excellence is her striking and angular reverse bow, offering a silhouette comparable to a spaceship. Her exterior lines draw the eye to the bridge and owner’s decks surrounded by curved floor-to-ceiling mirrored glass, blurring the distinction between the upper deck and the panoramic skylounge.
With accommodation capacity for 14 guests, Excellence offers a swimming pool and platform, as well as Jacuzzi and sprawling beach club and impressive limousine tenders.
#4. Vida
Builder: Heesen (2019)
LOA: 55m
Delivered in May 2019, Vida represents the third project in Heesen FDHF steel class series. With muscular exterior outline by Frank Laupman, Omega Architects, one of the distinctive hallmarks of the vessel’s layout are french windows designed to get the most of the natural light on-board.
Vida is also the first yacht in Heesen fleet to comply with the latest emissions regulations, thanks to a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) system that reduces NOx in exhaust emissions.
As to interior concept, the owner commissioned Be Design Associates, a design bureau based in Florida, for whom Vida became the first new-build yacht project. The yacht’s interior volume amounts to 740 GT, with the accommodation provided to 12 guests within five cabins on the lower deck and a 80-squere-metre master suite forward on the main deck.
Vida’s owner, experienced American yachtsman and sport fisherman, worked closely with the shipyard’s engineers to customise his new yacht and make her the mothership of his sport fishing fleet. Thus, Vida can refuel and recharge the owner’s Bayliss 60 and Bayliss 68 sportfish yachts, enabling the guests and the owners to spend several days offshore without returning to the base.
#5. Solo
Builder: Tankoa (2018)
LOA: 72m
Charter in winter: from approx. $ 665,600 p/w
The yacht was launched in August 2018, making her international debut at the Monaco Yacht Show the same year.
Designed by Francesco Paszkowski in collaboration with Margherita Casprini, Solo’s interiors represent blend of contemporary and timeless air. Her spacious main and upper salons provide relaxation zones with large plush seating areas, along with a dazzling baby grand piano and numerous entertainment options.
The yacht’s six staterooms can accommodate up to 12 guests, including a spacious VIP, two doubles and two twins. The master suite is fitted with a private terrace complete with sunpads and a Jacuzzi with panoramic views. On the skylounge aft, there is a swimming pool and a private dance floor, which easily converts to a touch-and-go helipad.
Solo’s beach club, meanwhile, represents a spacious and welcoming space with sofa, bar, TV, oversized glass walled gym with fold-out terrace, bathroom, sauna (also fitted with its own fold-out terrace) and hammam.
#6. Baba's
Builder: HSY Yachts (2019)
LOA: 56m
The brand new 56-metre superyacht represents a debut of the Turkish builder HSY Yachts on the international arena. The builder's flagship, Baba's was commissioned by an American customer.
The superyacht features exteriors by Unique Yacht Design, the studio working closely with another Turkish builder Bilgin Yachts on their two 80-metre projects. The yard’s in-house team has handled her naval architecture and interior design meanwhile.
This tri-deck yacht features a 10,4-metre beam, building up interior volume of 800 GT spread over three decks. Baba's has been constructed of a steel hull and aluminum superstructure.
The yacht can accommodate up to 12 guests within 6 cabins including a main-deck full-beam owner’s cabin, an upper deck VIP near the captain’s cabin. 4 guest cabins as long as 6 cabins for up to 11 crew members are laid on the lower deck.
#7. Broadwater
Builder: Feadship (2000)
LOA: 50.3
Charter in winter: from $245,000 p/w plus expenses
Broadwater was launched under the name Blue Moon in 2000, as the world’s first all-aluminium yacht over 500 GT. She features designs by Donald Starkey, along with naval architecture by Feadship De Voogt Naval Architects.
The 50-metre yacht features a beam of 9,5 meters and a draft of 2,5 meters. With her aluminium hull and aluminium superstructure, she bears gross tonnage of 692 tons. Broadwater's maximum accommodation capacity is 12 guests in 6 cabins.
The yacht completed an all-encompassing refit in 2017. The modifications included a completely new interior design refit by Adam Voorhees for a six-stateroom layout. In June, she was spotted at Feadship yard in Amsterdam, for pre-season deck and engineering works, according to Feadship.
Her maximum speed of 17 knots and cruising speed of 14 knots are provided with Caterpillar engines of 1500 hp each.
Prestige Yachts has revealed its new M7 catamaran, a 17.7-meter model offering interior space comparable to larger 21-meter yachts. The French-Italian builder has already sold two units ahead of the model's official debut at September's Cannes Yachting Festival.The M7 fills a gap between Prestige's existing M8 and M48 catamarans, featuring a more manageable 7.5-meter beam compared to the M8's 9.1-meter width. Naval architect Marc Lombard designed the hull, while Garroni Design handled the exterior styling to maintain consistency with Prestige's M-series.The catamaran's layout includes four guest cabins with a forward primary suite featuring residential-style elements like translucent wardrobes and designer lighting. The main salon offers panoramic views through full-height windows, with a secondary helm station discreetly positioned for all-weather navigation. Outdoor spaces focus on the beach club with its transformer swim platform and an expansive flybridge with multiple seating areas.Twin Volvo Penta D8-550 engines power the M7, with various horsepower options available. The design prioritizes comfortable cruising over high-speed performance. Crew accommodations for three staff members allow for reduced operational requirements compared to larger vessels.Jean-François Lair, Groupe Beneteau's Chief Sales Officer, commented: "The M7 is much more human-sized. You feel like you can handle it on your own." The company expects the model to attract both experienced owners downsizing from larger yachts and first-time buyers seeking manageable dimensions.Prestige continues production at its French facilities, maintaining its hybrid French-Italian design and construction approach. The M7 joins the successful M48, which has sold 70 units since its 2022 launch, in Prestige's expanding multihull range.Credits: Prestige Yachts
August 5, 2025
Turkish yacht builder VisionF Yachts has launched the second hull of its 23.97-meter E-Cat 80 solar-electric catamaran series from its Tuzla shipyard. The carbon fiber vessel features design updates including an expanded solar array now producing 24.8 kW per hour through 62 panels, increased from the original configuration.The latest model incorporates several owner-requested modifications, adding a Jacuzzi on the flybridge and converting one of five guest cabins into dedicated children's quarters. The catamaran's 10.92-meter beam provides substantial interior volume, accommodating 12 guests and 4 crew members.Power comes from twin 180 kW Danfoss electric motors with bow and stern thrusters, enabling 6-8 knot cruising speeds under electric propulsion. The hybrid system combines solar charging with backup generators, offering over 1,000 nautical miles of extended range when required.Entertainment areas include multiple flybridge seating zones with cinema capabilities and massage chairs. The 15 square-meter tender garage features hydraulic launch systems for watercraft storage. Owners can select between open or enclosed flybridge configurations during the build process.VisionF's current production lineup includes seven catamaran models ranging from 14 to 36.5 meters, with the E-Cat series representing their fully electric offerings. The shipyard continues construction on additional units at its Istanbul facility, maintaining focus on sustainable marine technologies.VisionF Yachts in Turkey was set up by Coşkun Bayraktar in Istanbul in 2019, but despite the shipyard’s relative youth it is a brand that is going places in the power catamaran world. In November 2020, VisionF Yachts debuted its first vessel, the VisionF 80. Credits: VisionF Yachts
August 5, 2025
Nautor Swan has announced the ClubSwan 28 American Series, a new one-design racing circuit developed in partnership with American Magic. The eight-event schedule will commence in Pensacola, Florida in February 2026, concluding with a World Championship event.The 8.5-meter ClubSwan 28, designed with Juan Yacht Design, will serve as the series' platform boat. Terry Hutchinson of American Magic noted: "Nautor Swan has such a history of being a great boatbuilder. But with the new ClubSwan 28, they've evolved their timeless design into something that speaks directly to today's high-performance sailors."The racing calendar includes three winter events in Pensacola, followed by summer competitions in Newport, Rhode Island, and fall races returning to Florida. Federico Michetti, Nautor Swan's Head of Sport Activities, stated: "Our goal was to create a fun, fast, and safe entry point for sportsboat enthusiasts."Production of the ClubSwan 28 will occur in Pensacola through a collaboration between Nautor Swan and American Magic. Giovanni Pomati, Nautor Swan CEO, confirmed: "We'll base the fleet there, build boats there, and drive technical innovation."The initiative aims to combine professional racing with amateur participation while establishing Pensacola as a sailing development hub. Hutchinson added: "It's a platform for performance, growth, and a new chapter in U.S. sailing."The series represents Nautor Swan's continued expansion into competitive sailing markets, following the success of its larger ClubSwan racing yachts.Nautor Swan was founded in 1966 in Pietarsaari, Finland. The builder entered the superyacht market in 1999. Since then, the yard has continued building high-performance sailing yachts in three different lines; ClubSwan, Swan Yachts and Maxi Swan Yachts. Credits: Nautor Swan
August 5, 2025
Ferretti Group has launched the first Itama 54 unit from its new Marina di Ravenna production facility on July 11, 2025. The 16.44-meter open cruiser marks Itama's return to the 50-59 foot segment, featuring redesigned living spaces and improved onboard accessibility.Developed by the Ferretti Group Product Strategy Committee and Engineering Department, with design by Tommaso De Luca, the model introduces several functional innovations while maintaining Itama's signature styling. Key exterior features include a flush foredeck sunpad, extended side windows, and a starboard-side bow access point - a departure from previous models that improves circulation.The deck layout presents a dual-cockpit configuration: a main aft seating area with height-adjustable table and a forward wind-protected lounge. Both areas connect to a portside bar unit. The helm station incorporates a floating dashboard design. Below deck, accommodations include a forward master cabin, midship guest cabin, two bathrooms, galley and dinette.Power options include twin MAN i6-730 engines (730 HP) as standard, delivering 33-knot top speed, or optional MAN i6-850 engines (850 HP) for 37-knot maximum speed. The raked transom and revised hull lines contribute to the model's performance characteristics.The Ravenna-built Itama 54 represents the brand's contemporary interpretation of Mediterranean open cruiser concepts, emphasizing outdoor living and simplified deck circulation. Production continues at Ferretti Group's specialized facility for the Itama range.The Ferretti Group, led by Chief Executive Officer Alberto Galassi, is now one of the world’s leaders in the construction and sale of luxury yachts and pleasure vessels, with a unique portfolio of brands: Ferretti Yachts, Riva, Pershing, Itama, Mochi Craft, CRN, Custom Line and Wally.Credits: Ferretti Group
August 4, 2025
ISA Yachts has moved its new 37.7-meter Viper 130 into the outfitting phase at its Ancona shipyard. The planing yacht, designed to deliver high performance and spacious accommodations, is scheduled for delivery in 2026 to an American client introduced by Zarpo Yachts.The Viper 130 features exterior and interior design by Fulvio De Simoni, with naval engineering developed in-house by ISA Yachts. Powered by three 2,200 hp MAN engines, the yacht will achieve a top speed of 33 knots.The aft cockpit is divided into three distinct areas: a beach club at sea level with a transformer platform, a sunbathing and lounge area, and an outdoor dining space seating eight. Side balconies can be opened to expand the living area. The aft galley includes a retractable privacy glass and connects to a bar, serving both as a functional kitchen and an entertainment space.The main deck features a portside walkway leading to the salon, which includes floor-to-ceiling windows and a second bar. A circular pool with sunbeds and seating dominates the bow area. The helm station is positioned forward, with access to the lower deck housing four guest cabins and an owner’s suite with dual bathrooms.The sun deck, with a carbon fiber hardtop, includes a secondary helm station, sunbeds, an L-shaped bar, and a dining table for 12. Crew quarters for five are discreetly accessed via the galley. A 5-meter tender is stored in the starboard garage.The Viper 130’s design emphasizes open living spaces, with multiple indoor-outdoor connections and functional layouts tailored for both entertainment and privacy. The yacht is currently in the final stages of construction ahead of its 2026 delivery.Palumbo Superyachts took root in 2008, when the Columbus Yachts brand was established, and in 2011 it launched its first 54m superyacht, emblematically christened Prima (the First). Currently, Palumbo Superyachts comprises a representative office in Monaco and a logistics network of five shipyards in the Mediterranean (Ancona, Malta, Marseille, Naples, and Savona); it also operates the following brands: ISA Yachts, Columbus Yachts, Mondomarine and Palumbo SY Refit.Credits: ISA Yachts
August 4, 2025