PHOTO COURTESY INFORMAThe Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show opened yesterday at seven locations across the city: the Broward County Convention Center, Bahia Mar Marina, Hall of Fame Marina, Los Olas Marina, the Superyacht Village at Pier South, Pier 66 Marina and the Hilton Fort Lauderdale Marina.
“Today, we had an amazingly successful first day of the 63rd annual Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, welcoming thousands of boating enthusiasts back to experience the splendor that FLIBS offers year after year,” Andrew Doole, president of U.S. Boat Shows with Informa Markets, said in a statement. “The atmosphere, the weather, all down to every small detail has been amazing. We are ecstatic to see what the next four days has to offer, but one thing is guaranteed — a perfect boating forecast.”
According to a study commissioned by Informa and the show owner, the Marine Industries Association of South Florida, FLIBS in 2021 contributed $1.79 billion to Florida’s economy. Additionally, the study showed $899 million in direct sales during the five-day show, generating $85.4 million in sales taxes for Florida, with $24.5 million of that going to Broward County.
With most Covid-19 travel restrictions lifted, organizers expect this year’s show metrics to exceed last year’s numbers. “Last year, the travel ban with Europe was still on,” Doole told Soundings Trade Only in August. “[This year], when you come to the show and you’re looking at an Azimut or a Ferretti … the guys who built the boat are here.”
Trade Only Today attended several product announcements that were largely centered at the Broward County Convention Center and Bahia Mar Marina.
Simrad
At a preshow event hosted at Navico Group’s Fort Lauderdale offices Wednesday evening, the company unveiled its new HALO 2000 and 3000 series open-array radars, which feature higher-power pulse compression and improved detection ranges. The units also include integrations such as Bird+ Mode, ZoneTrack and support for Dangerous Target Alerts, which provide users with technical and safety benefits.
“We’re proud to be the original inventor and innovator behind solid-state recreational marine radar, and we are excited to unveil our most powerful radar yet,” Kevin Steinbraker, vice president and general manager of digital systems at Navico Group, said in a statement. “This next-generation, open-array radar delivers even more power and resolution than before, offering increased safety, more accuracy and better range. By coupling our advanced pulse scheme with our class-leading resolution, we are providing boaters of all types with the best radar on the market for target detection, resolution, system reliability and ease of use.”
PHOTO COURTESY NAVICO GROUPAccording to Navico Group, the 50-watt HALO 2000 provides visibility out to 72 nautical miles. The 130-watt HALO 3000 provides visibility to 96 nautical miles. The company said the units will start shipping next month.
Scout Boats
Scout Boats introduced the 281 XSS bay boat at Bahia Mar Marina. It’s the second model in Scout’s bay-boat lineup, joining the 251 XSS.
The 281 XSS is an inshore/offshore crossover built with carbon-epoxy construction throughout. The boat features large casting decks fore and aft, dual stern bait/fishboxes, ample rod stowage, and port and starboard tackle stowage.
PHOTO COURTESY SCOUT BOATSAccording to a statement, the 281 XSS measures 28 feet, 1 inch and has a 9-foot, 4-inch beam. Dry weight without power is 5,457 pounds, and maximum power is a 450-hp outboard. It carries 126 gallons of fuel and 13 gallons of fresh water.
Four Winns
Four Winns brand director Nicolas Harvey debuted the H6 bowrider and teased the launch of an electric H2E and the TH36 power cat, both of which he said will be available in North America this spring.
PHOTO BY GARY REICHThe H6 represents the final step in the revamping of Four Winns’ former Horizon model line, Harvey told Trade Only Today. “What is very new about [this line] of boats is that it had been 15 years since Four Winns had an outboard-powered offering in a traditional runabout,” he said.
Previously, Harvey added, all Horizon models were inboard boats. The H-Series, with the exception of the H1, is available with outboard or inboard power from Volvo Penta and MerCruiser.
The 26-foot H6 replaces the Horizon 260 and has an 8-foot, 6-inch beam. Features include a self-bailing cockpit, trim tabs and an optional folding tower. Hull No. 1 is fitted with a 300-hp Yamaha. A Surf package includes a forward-drive propulsion system where the propellers are positioned away from people in the water. Orders for the new boat, which is built in Cadillac, Mich., are being taken.
PHOTO BY GARY REICHHarvey also announced that the H2E, which will be powered by a 180-hp Vision Marine Technologies electric outboard, will begin shipping this spring, as will the 36-foot TH36 power cat, which made its first appearance at the Cannes Yachting Festival in September.
Suzuki
Suzuki Marine announced new products and environmental initiatives on opening day, revealing DF350AMD and DF300BMD V-6 outboards, an all-new DF75 outboard, making its microplastics filtering device standard on the DF115 and DF140 engines; and detailing the expansion of its Clean Ocean Project.
The 350- and 300-hp engines are the first Suzuki outboards to offer advanced integrated steering, which the company said allows for more streamlined rigging while also providing a cleaner appearance in the motor well. Suzuki added that integrated steering eliminates interference and clearance issues created by external steering cylinders, so boatbuilders can more easily rig the outboards on a wider variety of hull types.
Suzuki also engineered a new lower gearcase for the DF350AMD and DF300BMD, which it says is designed to enhance durability, increase top-end performance, improve fuel efficiency, and make maintenance and service easier.
“We’ve made these flagships of our fleet even better by adding some innovative new features that improve performance, durability and ease of rigging on a wide variety of boats,” George “Gus” Blakely, Suzuki Marine executive vice president sales and service said in a statement. “We listened to our boatbuilding partners, our dealers and our customers, and used their input to make our best motors even better.”
PHOTO COURTESY SUZUKI MARINEThe new DF75 replaces the DF70. The 4-cylinder outboard has an array of features, including a 16-valve dual overhead cam design, a two-stage gear reduction system and an offset driveshaft design for a more compact size and better balance on the transom.
IMAGE COURTESY SUZUKISuzuki also announced that its microplastics filtration system is now standard on the DF115 and DF140 outboards, and that it is expanding its Clean Ocean Project.
“We recognize that making a positive environmental impact will require a sustained effort involving as many people as possible,” Blakely said in a separate statement. “Suzuki Marine is committed to the idea of raising awareness and getting people to participate and take action. We hope that demonstrating that commitment through our Micro Plastic Collecting Device, our companywide initiatives, and rallying people to get out there and clean up the environment, we are setting a good example for the boating industry to follow.”
Sailfish Boats
Sailfish Boats president and CEO Rob Parmentier yesterday afternoon showed off the latest addition to the builder’s portfolio — the 312 CC center console — at Broward County Convention Center.
The 32-foot, 6-inch boat has a 9-foot, 9-inch beam and a variable-deadrise hull, and can carry twin Mercury 300- or 350-hp Verados or twin Yamaha 300s. The boat fits in the middle of the builder’s center console range.
PHOTO COURTESY SAILFISH BOATS“This boat was designed with a signature variable deadrise hull that provides the ride and stability we’ve always been known for,” Parmentier said. “The hull has no wood, only carbon fiber, Kevlar and fiberglass, which makes this a great offshore boat.”
Trade Only Today’s coverage of FLIBS will continue tomorrow and conclude on Monday. Look for a full show wrap in the January issue of Soundings Trade Only.
