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The 2025 edition of the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show (FLIBS), one of the world’s largest boat shows, has recently concluded. Unlike the Monaco Yacht Show, which focuses mainly on superyachts, or the Cannes Yachting Festival, which has a purely European focus, the FLIBS is a vast and all-encompassing event. Its locations range from the Convention Center, with hundreds of small boats (from tenders to powerboats up to 25 feet), to the Superyacht Village, which hosts a dozen superyachts, to Bahia Mar, where hundreds of boats from yards from all over the world are moored. Let’s see what the juiciest new features were.
The Pardo 43, launched in 2017 and sold in over 300 units, is an icon of European weekend cruisers. The new version, dubbed “mach-2,” is not a revolution, but a “natural evolution” that features more than 80 changes while retaining its original DNA. The main changes affect the exterior design, with new windows in the broadside, a “swoosh” line that lightens the stern profile, and a 30% larger carbon T-top; not only that, the interior has been revamped by Nauta Design, which has updated it by adding a new dinette with reclining seats. The technology compartment also includes a new electronic control package (Garmin), which has been implemented for the helm, offering more control to the skipper; in addition to conventional Volvo IPS packages (500, 600 or 650), Pardo has also developed a triple outboard version specifically for U.S. buyers, with 400-hp Mercury V10 or 600-hp V12 options.
Palm Beach Motor Yachts ‘ new 85-foot flagship debuted at FLIBS, marking the yard’s entry into the larger superyacht sector. The yacht maintains the brand’s classic DNA with an elongated, sleek profile; extensive use of teak not only in the cockpit, but also in the salon and dining area (on floors, bulkheads, and ceilings), emphasizes impeccable craftsmanship, including details such as hand-stitched leather helm seats. The PBMY 85 is powered by two Volvo Penta IPS1350 engines, providing a maximum speed of 27 knots and a range of 700 nautical miles. Hull chapter: efficiency is ensured by V-Warp technology, inspired by the ocean racing sailing origins, a true passion of the yard’s founder.
The Navier Pioneer, conceived in the cradle of Silicon Valley innovation but built in Alameda, California, caused a stir at FLIBS, not because of the wake waves it created, but because of its ability to “fly” over the water. During a test, the zero-emission electric boat went from sailing normally on its hull to rising about four feet above the water on its slender foils, eliciting excitement from the other boats it passed. This version of the Pioneer displayed a flawless finish and had major improvements over previous models: more aerodynamic exterior outboards and interior features that made her resemble a Tesla, such as cup holders, an enclosed bathroom, and an extremely clean dashboard. These optimizations were also suggested by Rich Ross, the buyer of the first production model and a driver during the test, who enthusiastically described the experience of whizzing among other boats at 30 knots as “the most fun I’ve ever had on a boat.”
Dutch shipyard Wajer, known for producing cruisers with sleek lines, presented the new Wajer 55 alongside its predecessor (Mk1) at the show, highlighting a significant leap in quality. The new version boasts a decidedly sleeker profile, characterized by a deeper V-shaped hull and much enlarged hull skids, complemented by improved sound insulation to ensure greater comfort on board. The deck design has been optimized with an asymmetrical layout that maximizes outdoor space, offering two tables, a lounge and other areas perfect for convivial moments, accommodating the boat for up to 20 people. The technology section is noteworthy: the helm, for example, is digital and controllable via smartphone apps, and the cockpit is enhanced with details such as wireless charging stations next to the helm seats. To achieve a sleek, seamless look on the lines, the shipyard planned to recessed the bollards within a dark line along the hull. The brand, also made famous for being chosen by Tom Brady (remembered for the viral Super Bowl trophy toss from his Wajer 55S), is the ideal boat for those seeking the perfect balance between aesthetic care and performance.
Valhalla Boatworks, a subsidiary of Viking Yachts, has unveiled the V-55 Sport Yacht, a 55-foot boat that combines comfort, luxury and performance. Built on the same hull as Michael Peters’ V-55 offshore fishing boat , the Sport Yacht is a rather radical departure for Valhalla, known for its center console powerboats . The elegant hardtop rounded creates a sunken cockpit in the windows, which closes or opens thanks to electric side doors, an actuated sunroof and a retractable rear window. The two-cabin layout has a separate shower, two bathrooms and dining area for weekend cruising. The 55 Sport Yacht also has a spacious rear cockpit, as well as a second lounge with a table in the bow. Powered by four 600-hp Mercury outboards, offering a top speed of 52 knots, the boat has a range of about 400 miles at 40 knots.
Solaris Shipyard presented its 60 ST Open at FLIBS, a model that stands out for its remarkable design. Featuring a bright blue hull, this 60-foot yacht offers an open layout that is designed to facilitate socializing while still including areas that provide privacy, such as the aft sundeck and forward lounge. The design, by Victory Design, is reminiscent of sports car aesthetics, thanks in part to a hardtop with a full-height windshield that offers protection and four forward-facing seats in the cockpit area. In the stern, there is a wet bar with sink and grill and a tender garage unusual for a boat of this size. Below deck, the 60 ST Open offers a standard three-cabin layout, with the option of opting for two cabins that include a large full-beam master suite. In terms of performance, by opting for the upgraded Volvo Penta D13-IPS 1350 twin engine package, the yacht is capable of reaching a top speed of about 39 knots and boasts a range of 250 nautical miles sailing at 25 knots.
This BGM 75 catamaran from Bluegame, part of the Sanlorenzo Group, took some time to arrive in the US after being launched at the Cannes Yachting Festival in 2023. Some features have merited the wait in the U.S.: the full-beam master cabin and larger guest cabins than a typical power cat are those best suited for the U.S. market. “This is more like a monohull that happens to have double hulls,” said Luca Santella, founder and head of product strategy at Bluegame. The Bluegame catamaran also requires about half the power of a 90-foot monohull, which has similar interior volume. Bluegame made excellent use of the seamless interior, designing a large and spacious main salon in the footprint, with large windows.
Revolution Marine Group launched theOceanwalker S60 Revolution Edition at FLIBS as a cheaper alternative, but without compromising quality and equipment, to competitors such as Leopard, Prestige, and Sunreef. Oceanwalker, a Chinese shipyard that produces 60-foot catamarans primarily for charter, partnered with Revolution Marine Group to transform its model into a luxury cruising version. This redesign process was meticulous: the standard cabin underwent more than 400 upgrades and modifications requested by Revolution, which included greater interior height, an optimized layout for owners, and improved materials. The result is a vessel with very few customization options. The example shown at FLIBS was beautifully finished, boasting an interior height of more than 2 meters in the main salon and flybridge, and exceptionally large interior spaces thanks to the 8.32-meter beam. The first unit is destined for Ki’ama Island in the Bahamas, and CEO Mark Lindsey stressed that the brand’s goal is to compete on quality and win on price. Thanks to the Chinese shipyard’s lower labor costs, the Oceanwalker S60 will sell for $3.5 million, a price 30-50% lower than most of its European rivals.
Tiara’s new 39 LS is a walkaround design with multiple convivial areas, including a modular aft cockpit with a lounge that rotates 180 degrees to adapt to different occasions of use. On the port side, the broadside opens up to create a terrace overlooking the water. That expansive area, coupled with the enclosed hardtop, is an example of the modular design philosophies that U.S. builders like Tiara have adopted. In the bow, wraparound seating converts to a large sundeck. The interior, meanwhile, includes a forward stateroom with a private bathroom with shower and a central area that can be converted into a guest cabin. With 600-hp Mercury V12 outboards, the Tiara 39 LS reaches a top speed of 46 knots. At 37 knots, the new Tiara has a range of 330 miles.
Federico Lanfranchi
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