Most insiders and enthusiasts already know and have visited it. This is dedicated to those who, so far, have never seen the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show!
The tongue of land that joins Miami to Palm Beach, a wall of skyscrapers separating the Atlantic Ocean from the mangroves of Florida’s swampy hinterland is, for those who love motorboats, the closest thing there is to an Luna Park. From there it’s off to the “Keys” and then to the Caribbean, but not only. And it is no coincidence that 60 percent of the world’s boats sold are registered in the United States with Florida, the “Sunshine State,” as the safe haven of the paperons not only from North, but also Central and South America.
Fort Lauderdale Boat Show 2023
I was fortunate enough to tour the canals of Fort Lauderdale (FL) , before entering the Boat Show, aboard a Wally Tender and seeing the perspective from the sea makes you realize what we are talking about. There are entire silos used as storage for powerboats of all kinds-Grady White, Boston Whaler, Pursuit, and all those that can come to mind. The first thing you(don’t) see are the masts of the boats; the sail doesn’t exist, but you compete on how many motors you mount on your craft. The winner this round is definitely the Cigarette 52 Thunder, with six
500hp V8 engines
each, making it one of the most powerful 50-foot outboards in the world.
FLIBS 2023: what’s new
The toyland of those who love motors. There are boats for all kinds of power and forms of use. Let’s look at some of the new features that were not lacking at this Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show. World premiere of the new Sunseeker Ocean 182, complete with a ritual ribbon-cutting ceremony, and then the range of beautiful Viking (presented the 90 Open Bridge) and other goodies such as the new Tiara 48 LE, the Vanquish VQ55 Sports Line or the “reinvented” Chris-Craft Catalina 28.
What about the Italians? Our shipyards, as is often the case, are among the most full-bodied with Azimut Yachts bringing, among others, three super new products such as the new Azimut Verve 48 Outboard, the Magellan 60 and the Azimut Grande 36M. Massive presence also of Pardo Yachts (which has a very solid audience in America), Solaris Power Yachts, Ferretti Group, Bluegame, Tankoa, but also Nuova Jolly, Invictus and Capoforte and others.
T.O.
