The Discover Boating International Boat Show yesterday kicked off at six locations across Miami: the Miami Beach Convention Center, Pride Park, Herald Plaza, Venetian Marina, Museum Park Marina and Superyacht Miami at Yacht Haven Grande Miami.
Preshow events got underway at 7:30 a.m. during the annual meeting of Boating Writers International, where winners of its annual writing contest were announced.
Writers from the Active Interest Media Marine Group captured 33 awards, including certificates of merit. A total of 48 plaques plus merit awards were handed out in 16 categories.
Sail editor-in-chief Wendy Mitman Clarke took first place in three categories. In Boating Lifestyles, she won for “Sailing with the Boy”; in the Boat Tests & Reviews category her Tartan 455 review took the top honor; and in the Boating Columns category, “Three Columns B” was the winner.
Sail managing editor Lydia Mullan took first place in the Boating Adventures category for “Baptism by Fire” and in Women in Boating for “Try and Try Again,” which appeared in Multihull Power & Sail magazine.
In the Business of Boating category, Soundings Trade Only contributor Kim Kavin captured first and third place for “How to Play Smart Defense” and “So Far, Not So Bad.” She also took second in the Women in Boating category with “Stop Dreaming. Set a Goal,” published in Soundings, and a third place for “Policy Problems,” which also appeared in Soundings.
Soundings executive editor Pim Van Hemmen took three second-place awards. In Boating Lifestyles, judges recognized his story “Out of Their Gourds,” while “Battleship” earned the honor in Photography and “A Boat for Anne” took the runner-up in Boat Projects, Renovations & Retrofits.
Charlie Levine, editor-in-chief of Anglers Journal, took third place in the Fishing category for “Clowning Around.” He also placed second in Boat Tests & Reviews for “Secret Formula,” which appeared in Power & Motoryacht.
Power & Motoryacht senior editor Chris Dixon picked up a second place in the Seamanship, Rescue & Safety category for “So Others May Live.” He also earned a third place in Boat Projects, Renovations & Retrofits for “The Purpose Driven Yacht,” and a third place in Boating Adventures with “Through Hell for High Water.”
Sail contributor Tor Johnson took first place in the Boating Photography category with “Evening Deck Check.” Sail technical editor Adam Cove took second place in “Facing Future.” He also contributes to Soundings, for which he wrote “Screw the Status Quo,” which placed second in Gear, Electronics & Product Tests.
Sail charter editor Zuzana Prochazka took second place in Boating Columns with “Charter Life,” and Anglers Journal executive editor William Sisson took third for “Between Fish.”
Passagemaker editor-in-chief Jeff Moser picked up a third in Boat Tests & Reviews for “The Real McCoy.”
Click here for the complete results.
A long day of press conferences began with Mercury Marine, which introduced the 75e and 110e Avator electric outboards alongside new Flite AIR and Flite AIR PRO electric foiling boards. Brunswick Corp. acquired the Flite brand last September and launched the Avator electric outboard brand in January 2023.
Navico unveiled the NSX Ultrawide MFDs in 12- and 15-inch sizes. The wide-screen MFDs are designed to make better use of today’s rectangular-shaped helms and open new options for displaying map, radar and sounding data.
Yamaha Marine showcased its hydrogen-powered outboard prototype, which it developed with performance engine company Roush. The outboard is designed to help Yamaha meet its 2050 carbon-neutrality goals and was fitted on a specially adapted Regulator 26 XO.
Boston Whaler took the wraps off the 210 Vantage and 365 Conquest. The 365 Conquest was outfitted the twin 600-hp Mercury Verados and an had an as-shown price of $1.4 million. The dual console 210 Vantage can take up to a 250-hp outboard.
Scout Boats CEO Steve Potts provided walkthroughs of the South Carolina builder’s 261 XSS, 281 X Signature and 357 LXF.
Indmar introduced the new brand KYMA Boats and the K7 model, a jetboat powered by Indmar’s Raptor 575. Click here for more information.
Bayliner revealed its Trophy Pilothouse and Explorer series at the show. The Pilothouse is available in 23- and 25-foot models with fishing-focused features. The 23-, 25- and 29-foot Explorer series is focused on family boating and cruising.
Grady-White showcased the new Freedom 415 dual console, a fishing-focused boat with comfort and cruising amenities. It has quad 425-hp Yamaha outboards, a port-side cabin and a starboard head with an enclosed shower. The cockpit has an al fresco galley with an electric grill, sink and food prep area.
Chris-Craft kicked off its 150th anniversary with the introduction of the 27 Launch Anniversary Edition. The boat features aquamarine accents and an almond vinyl interior, along with a signature steering wheel and 150th anniversary burgee. President and CEO Stephen Heese celebrated the occasion with a champagne toast among members of the press and company employees.
Highfield Boats president Christophe Lavigne gave a company update and announced partnerships with BRP, Suzuki Marine, Flux, Ilmor and ZeroJet. The company, which is now manufacturing in the United States, also announced that it is expanding into the fire/rescue and military markets.
Suzuki Marine introduced a line of “Stealth” outboards, which feature new matte black coloring for its 115-, 150-, 200- and 250-hp outboards. Additionally, the company announced it is again hosting a beach cleanup that rewards volunteers with complimentary tickets to the show.
The Miami boat show opened this morning with the NMMA Industry Breakfast. Soundings Trade Only will have a full report on the events of day two in tomorrow’s e-newsletter.
