The 64th installment of the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show got underway yesterday at noon under cloudy skies and a stiff onshore breeze.

“We couldn’t have asked for a better start to the 64th Annual Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show,” Andrew Doole, president of U.S. Boat Shows at Informa Markets, said in a statement. “The wonderful weather provided an ideal backdrop for attendees to explore the amazing array of boats and exhibitors on display. It’s a clear reflection of the energy and enthusiasm of the boating community, and we’re thrilled to welcome everyone back to all seven show sites.”

As usual, day one got underway with numerous company updates to the trade. Among the press conferences Soundings Trade Only reports on today are those given by Volvo Penta, Ferretti Group, Denison Yachting and Highfield Boats.

Volvo Penta

Johan Inden, president of Volvo Penta’s Marine Business Unit, opened the company’s annual press breakfast by outlining its sustainability commitments, which include reducing emissions from its operations 50% by 2030 and decreasing absolute emissions 37.5% by 2050.

“We’ve made concrete commitments to sustainability, and we intend to honor them,” Inden said. “As a marine company it’s the right thing to do and our entire team is onboard.”

In his opening statements, Inden also pointed out the importance of retaining the boaters the industry gained during the pandemic: “We have a short-term drive to keep the people we introduced to boating during Covid in the market for some time to come,” he said. “We feel that our innovations and simplifying boating are ways to retain these important customers.”

Jens Bering, Volvo Penta vice president of marine sales took the lectern next to discuss products and the company’s “Helm to Prop” strategy.

“We want to get more people out on the water, and our helm-to-prop strategy is one way to do this,” Bering said. “Among the innovations we feel will help accomplish this are our Joystick Drive, Glass Cockpit, Easy Connect, Dynamic Positioning and Assisted docking.”

Bering also discussed recently introduced products such as the twin sterndrive units paired with Volvo Penta diesels on a Southport 30 FE that provide a 350-plus-mile range, IPS for engines up to 2,100 hp, the twin Forward Drive system, and joystick steering.

Ferretti

Before the 2023 Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show opened Ferretti Group held a press conference at its U.S. headquarters.

Stefano de Vivo, Ferretti Group chief commercial officer and manager, and director for Ferretti subsidiary Wally, said the overall corporation has experienced “double-digit growth.”

Ferretti Group had revenues of $1.09 billion last year, and through the first six months of 2023, de Vivo said the number was $614 million. “That is way above what we did in 2022,” he said.

Allied Marine in Fort Lauderdale is Ferretti Group’s East Coast dealer and since November 2022 the company has sold 165 yachts worth a total of $570 million, a $19 million increase over the previous year’s $551 million in sales.

Ferretti Group has invested in the Allied Marine location that hosted the event, adding 20,000 square feet of total area with nine covered slips and employing 60 workers. At the 320,000- square-foot Lauderdale Marine Center where Ferretti Group services its boats, there are three covered slips, eight land slots and 40 more employees, plus $1.5 million in warehoused parts.

“We give after-sales service, especially here in Florida,” said de Vivo. “We’re trying to get more people involved in Ferretti Group to give better service.”

At its other facilities, Ferretti Group has added space to improve service, including a new shed and offices at the Mondolfo, Italy, location where Pershing Yachts are built. Wally, Pershing, CRN and Ferretti Custom Line yachts are built in Ancona, Italy, where the parent corporation builds its steel- and aluminum-hulled yachts.

New launches from each company include the Wallywhy 150 that made its debut at Fort Lauderdale, the Wallywhy 100, and the Wallpower 50 and 50X, which can be powered by quad Mercury Racing 500R outboards.

From Ferretti Yachts, the 1000 Skydeck is making its U.S. debut at Fort Lauderdale. The Infynito has a new crossover yacht that includes a lithium battery system that can provide eight hours of silent operation without generators.

Other new Ferretti Group models include the Pershing GTX80, the Riva 82 Diva and a handful of new one-offs from the Ferretti Custom Line.

Denison Yachting

Denison Yachting is celebrating 75 years in business at its hometown in Fort Lauderdale. Company president Bob Denison spoke of his grandparents moving to the area to build Broward Yachts.

At this year’s FLIBS, Denison has 12 yachts measuring longer than 100 feet and 17 that exceed 80 feet, and the brokerage is shooting for selling the most yachts longer than 24 meters.

Additionally, the company will be opening a global headquarters on Fort Lauderdale’s SE 17th Street, a well-known artery to the beach. “As a kid growing up, I was like one day, maybe we can have an office there,” said Denison.

Denison Yachting has also partnered with Holman motor cars and Magellan to give customers a one-stop shop to charter yachts, aircraft and vehicles.

Denison Yachting has also partnered with Turkish yacht builder Numarine it has sold 11 of the company’s yachts. Denison also is working with Polar Leapher Yachts on a polar-class expedition yacht plus other one-off custom designs.

Bob Denison also spoke of his company’s intent to be a leader on the Bitcoin front to facilitate purchases or large, expensive yachts.

Highfield Boats

Highfield Boats president Christophe Lavigne provided a business update and partnership announcement during an afternoon press conference.

Lavigne opened by announcing four new staff members, including regional sales managers Emma Rigby, Chris Brown and Jean Come Maziere, and marketing manager Michael Carroll.

An outline of the current marine industry climate followed. “We enjoyed a spike in demand during the pandemic, which made it difficult for us to keep inventories high,” Lavigne said. “The American market is driven by consumers being able to make purchases without waiting, and there were several months when we were not able to do that.”

“Today, inventories at dealerships are high, and demand is down,” he added. “With our new manufacturing facility in Michigan, we look forward not only to building boats in the United States, but also meeting consumer demand.”

Lavigne next announced that the company is bringing Italy’s Nuova Jolly rigid-hull inflatable boats to the U.S. market to supplement Highfields’s offerings with a line of family-friendly boats with offshore capabilities. The boats, which have fiberglass hulls instead of the aluminum used in Highfield models, will be built in the U.S. at the company’s new Michigan facility.
Nuova Jolly’s general manager, Teo Aiello, was introduced.

New Boats

Boatbuilders used day one of the show to launch several new models ranging from adventure cruisers to center consoles and inflatable RIBS to flybridge cruisers. The following boats were among the new-boat announcements made during day one of the show.

Aquila 47 Molokai

The 47 Mololkai is Aquila’s second offshore center console model to date, joining the builder’s 28 Molokai in the segment.

The power cat can be ordered with twin 600-hp Mercury Verados or quad 400-hp Mercury Verados with Joystick Piloting. The 47 Molkai has a 1,048-gallon fuel capacity that provides expansive offshore range.

The boat has not only a head and shower but also a spacious, air-conditioned stateroom with a queen-sized island berth. Two entry doors provide easy access, while large overhead and side windows flood the cabin with natural light during the day.

A 14-foot, 7-inch beam provides ample deck space for fishing features and seating accommodations. Underway, seven protected helm seats in two air-conditioned rows keep crew safe and comfortable, while state-of-the-art Raymarine electronics, C-Zone digital switching and a custom-tuned Fusion audio system put information and entertainment at your fingertips.

On the fishing grounds, pressurized livewells fed by a Hooker sea chest keep your bait lively, while cavernous fish boxes accommodate the largest fish and longest trips. Electric reel outlets provide power for deep-dropping, and the carbon fiber hardtop is factory reinforced for outriggers and custom towers.


Beneteau Antares 12

This outboard-powered flybridge cruiser made its worldwide debut in France at the Cannes Yachting Festival in September. The 42-foot, 7-inch model was formally introduced to the North American market yesterday at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show.

The vessel is powered by three 300-hp Mercury Verados and features integrated Joystick Piloting. Beneteau’s SEANAPPS software provides remote monitoring of the boat’s internal systems.

Outdoor spaces abound, including an expansive flybridge space, and a secure-feeling aft cockpit. A vast sunpad area dominates the bow.

The main salon connects seamlessly with the aft cockpit through a three-paned door. Inside is a starboard galley, port side dinette and lower helm station. Farther below are three staterooms and two enclosed heads.

Formula 457

A well-known name in the performance world, Formula Boats served announced that it will be adding to its model lineup with new 457 Center Console Fish and Sport models. The full-sized boats will make their debuts at the Miami International Boat Show, but the Decatur, Ind.-based manufacturer gave a sneak peek at the boat in Fort Lauderdale.

It measures 45 feet, 7 inches with a 13-foot, 9-inch beam and is powered by triple 600-hp Mercury Verado outboards. Longtime Formula designer John Adams collaborated with fellow designer Michael Young on the boats.

The new models will feature 18,000 BTU air conditioning, twin 22-inch Raymarine chartplotters and Mercury Joystick Piloting and digital throttle and shift with SmartCraft VesselView screens. Depending on the model, the cockpit will have a bait-prep station or wetbar and regardless of the model, there’s a large cooler and in-floor storage. Up front, the bow has forward-facing sunlounges with armrests.

Sunseeker Ocean 182

Sunseeker unveiled the Ocean 182, an 88-foot, 11-inch yacht that is the follow-up to the 90 Ocean. It has a 23-foot, 6-inch beam and is powered by twin MAN V12 diesels rated at 1650 or 1900 hp. The manufacturer says the vessel can achieve a top speed of 27 knots, but slow down to displacement speeds and she’ll cover 1,800 miles at 12 knots.

On the main deck, the galley is forward accompanied by a spacious dining area with space for up to eight guests. Belowdecks, the full-beam master is positioned amidships and there’s a VIP stateroom forward.

Chris-Craft Catalina 28

Chris-Craft Boats pulled the sheet off its Catalina 28. The center-console has a hardtop with a curved tempered-glass windshield, integrated speakers, overhead and spreader lights. An optional SureShade is available.

Forward and aft social zones include fold-away seating options with pop-up backrests. An owner can choose from two helm-seat options, a cockpit galley with an integrated sink, refrigerator and storage, or a reversible helm seat that can be positioned to face the aft cockpit.

The Catalina 28 will be powered by twin 300-hp Mercury Verado outboards that Chris-Craft says will push the boat to 55 mph. Mercury’s Joystick piloting and electric steering come standard along with a 12-inch Garmin multifunction display with CZone digital switching. An owner can upgrade to twin Garmin screens and a Seakeeper 1 gyroscopic stabilizer.

FLIBS opened at 10 a.m. today and continues through Sunday at 6 p.m.