The Miami International Boat Show wrapped its third year back at the Miami Beach Convention Center and six other venues in mid-February. More than 1,000 brands were represented with at least 1,000 boats on display, according to show organizers.
Though the show reported attendance just below 100,000 — less than last year’s reports of 100,000-plus — organizers were overall upbeat about attendees’ willingness to spend. Brunswick Corp. reported record revenue between its Boston Whaler and Sea Ray brands, while other exhibitors told Soundings Trade Only “the buyers are here” and “the crowds are thinner this year, but those who are here are buying.”
Dave Foulkes, Brunswick Corp. CEO, stated in a press release: “Once again, Miami proved to be an outstanding show for Brunswick and our brands, with strong sales, impressive outboard engine share, and successful new product launches that advance our ACES strategy. We are encouraged by the early-season shows, and I am very proud of the outstanding work of our teams around the world and their exceptional early accomplishments as we enter the 2024 season.”
Frank Hugelmeyer, president and CEO of the National Marine Manufacturers Association, was also upbeat about the event’s outcome. “This year’s boat show was a hub to see some of the latest next-gen marine technologies, from sustainable fuels to more efficient boat hull and engine designs, plus hundreds of boat debuts and new marine innovations,” he stated in a press release. “We’re proud to showcase the best in boating, delivering an annual sales boon for boat and marine engine manufacturers and the thousands of marine businesses that exhibit year after year.”
Soundings Trade Only was on the ground at the show talking to exhibitors, attending product release events, taking the pulse of the industry and interviewing leaders from various corners of the trade.
Big Wins
At the annual meeting of Boating Writers International, winners of its annual writing contest were announced. Writers from the Active Interest Media Marine Group, including Soundings Trade Only, captured 33 of 48 awards and certificates of merit in 16 categories.
In the Business of Boating category, Soundings Trade Only contributor Kim Kavin earned first and third place for “How to Play Smart Defense,” about cybercrime, and “So Far, Not So Bad,” about boat-sales trends. In the Women in Boating category, Soundings Trade Only editor-in-chief Gary Reich received a certificate of merit for his “Strength in Numbers” feature about Viking Yacht Co. Kavin took second place in the Women in Boating category with “Stop Dreaming. Set a Goal,” published in Soundings, about a woman who rowed across the Atlantic, and third place for “Policy Problems,” about boat insurance, also in Soundings.
SAIL editor-in-chief Wendy Mitman Clarke earned first place in three categories. In Boating Lifestyles, she won for “Sailing with the Boy,” about a two-month cruise with a teenager; in the Boat Tests and Reviews category for her Tartan 455 review; and in the Boating Columns category for a series of three columns in the magazine. SAIL managing editor Lydia Mullan won first place in the Boating Adventures category for “Baptism by Fire” about an offshore race; and in Women in Boating for “Try and Try Again,” which appeared in Multihull Power & SAIL magazine.
Soundings executive editor Pim Van Hemmen earned three second-place awards. In Boating Lifestyles, judges recognized his story “Out of Their Gourds,” about turning pumpkins into raceboats, while “Battleship” earned the honor in Photography, and “A Boat for Anne,” about outfitting a boat for a special-needs sailor, took the runner-up spot in Boat Projects, Renovations and Retrofits.
Charlie Levine, editor-in-chief of Anglers Journal, took third place in the Fishing category for “Clowning Around,” about Florida’s clown knifefish. He also placed second in Boat Tests and Reviews for “Secret Formula,” about the Formula 387 CCF in Power & Motoryacht. Power & Motoryacht senior editor Chris Dixon picked up a second place in the Seamanship, Rescue and Safety category for “So Others May Live,” about a Coast Guard rescue swimmer. Dixon also earned third place in Boat Projects, Renovations and Retrofits for “The Purpose-Driven Yacht,” about a ship’s refit, and third place in Boating Adventures with “Through Hell for High Water,” about chasing a hundred-foot wave.
SAIL contributor Tor Johnson won first place in the Boating Photography category with “Evening Deck Check.” SAIL technical editor Adam Cove took second place with “Facing Future.” He also contributes to Soundings, for which he wrote “Screw the Status Quo” about propeller design, placing second in Gear, Electronics and Product Tests. SAIL charter editor Zuzana Prochazka earned second place in Boating Columns with “Charter Life,” and Anglers Journal executive editor William Sisson took third place in that category for “Between Fish.”
Passagemaker editor-in-chief Jeff Moser earned third place in Boat Tests and Reviews for “The Real McCoy,” about the Nordic Tug 40.
Announcements
Mercury Marine introduced its 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 NSX Ultrawide multifunction displays in 12- and 15-inch sizes. They are designed to make better use of today’s rectangular-shaped helms, and allow new options for displaying map, radar and sounding data.
Yamaha Marine showcased a hydrogen-powered outboard prototype that it developed with performance engine company Roush. The outboard is intended to help Yamaha meet its 2050 carbon-neutrality goals. It was fitted on an adapted Regulator 26XO.
Boston Whaler took the wraps off the 210 Vantage and 365 Conquest. The 365 Conquest was outfitted with twin 600-hp Mercury Verados and had a list price of $1.4 million. The dual-console 210 Vantage can take up to a 250-hp outboard. Both won their categories in the NMMA Innovation Awards at the show.
Scout Boats CEO Steve Potts provided walkthroughs of the South Carolina builder’s 261 XSS, 281 X Signature and 357 LXF.
Indmar introduced the brand Kyma Boats and the K7 model, a jetboat powered by Indmar’s Raptor 575.
Bayliner revealed the 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 alfresco galley with an electric grill, sink and food-prep area.
Chris-Craft kicked off its 150th anniversary with the introduction of the Launch 27 Anniversary Edition. The boat has aquamarine accents and an almond vinyl interior, along with a signature steering wheel and 150th-anniversary burgee. President and CEO Stephen Heese joined the press and company employees for a champagne toast.
Highfield Boats president Christophe Lavigne announced partnerships with BRP, Suzuki Marine, Flux, Ilmor and ZeroJet. Highfield Boats, 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 in matte black for its 115-, 150-, 200- and 250-hp models. Additionally, the company hosted a beach cleanup that rewarded volunteers with complimentary tickets to the show.
Autonomous boating hardware and software developer Avikus announced a partnership with AquaSport Boats. The boatbuilder plans to deliver a line of center- and dual-console sportboats under the Twin Vee brand that incorporate advanced navigation assist and autonomous functionality. The first models are expected to make their debuts this summer, with additional models later this year under the Twin Vee, Forza and AquaSport brands.
Solace Boats unveiled the 37CS, which fits in the middle of the boatbuilder’s all-center-console lineup. The boat can be ordered with up to 1,200 hp on the transom and is offered with a fishing-heavy layout on top of a double-stepped hull.
SeaVee took the wraps of its latest build, the 400Z. It has a composite, twin-stepped hull, triple 400-hp Mercury Verados and a 161-gallon fishbox.
Tiara showed the EX 54, an addition to its EX adventure-yacht lineup. The boat has a pair of 750-hp Volvo Penta diesels mated to IPS pod drives, convertible cockpit seating and a three-stateroom layout.
State of the Industry
Larry Berryman, director of the Miami International Boat Show, opened the annual Industry Breakfast before handing the podium to Miami Beach Mayor Steven Meiner, who thanked organizers and exhibitors for hosting the show “in our great city.”
The Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation sponsored the breakfast, where president Dave Chanda said: “We lost 12 million anglers in 2022, so it’s time to refocus and recapture those individuals. The good news is we welcomed 5.1 million Hispanic boaters, and participation among African-Americans is up 8.2%. Since 2022, fishing by first-time anglers is up 10%, and 2 million anglers returned to the sport during that time.”
The organization is furthering its “Find Your Best Self on the Water” campaign, which launched in early 2023 to recapture anglers who have dropped out, and to enlist newcomers to the sport. It includes social-media posts and videos targeted toward men and women. “A 10% increase in the number of female anglers would mean a $1 billion return for the sportfishing industry,” Chanda added. “This is a critically important demographic.”
Hugelmeyer, of the NMMA, delivered the State of the Recreational Boating Industry address. “There is plenty of credit available in the market, but high interest rates are an area of caution,” he said. “Other headwinds include slower housing starts, fuel prices, and consumer net worth and debt.”
New powerboat unit sales continue to slide but remain above the 239,000-unit-per-year average, he added. “All unit sales by category were down in 2023 except personal watercraft. That segment continues to highlight the importance of affordable, accessible boats. This category was up 15% year-over-year in 2023.”
The NMMA estimates that new-boat unit sales declined to 269,000 for 2023, with 898,000 preowned vessels sold. It projects further used-boat slippage this year, with 853,000 preowned transactions.
Hugelmeyer also addressed advocacy, highlighting the continuing fight against the federal government’s proposed right whale policy, which would restrict boats 35 feet and larger to speeds of 10 knots along much of the Eastern Seaboard for several months of the year. “We’re continuing to work with legislators and regulators to ensure the
proposed restrictions do not take place,” Hugelmeyer said. “We know that the vast majority of fatal right whale strikes involve boats larger than 250 feet, not the 35-foot-and-over vessels the restrictions target.”
He also highlighted NMMA’s work against retaliatory and other tariffs that affect all areas of the industry. “We will continue to fight these tariffs and work with the countries we rely on to support the manufacturing in our industry.”
Last, Hugelmeyer introduced retired Major League Baseball outfielder Gary Sheffield, the NMMA’s newest brand ambassador. “I’ve been fishing since I was a kid and used to go out with my dad in Tampa,” Sheffield said. “I’m happy to be able to help introduce more people to boating, which has been such a great lifestyle for me.”
Darren Vaux, president of the International Council of Marine Industry Associations, briefed the industry on ICOMIA’s Pathways to Propulsion Decarbonisation report, released in partnership with the NMMA. “Countries from around the world agreed in Paris in 2016 to a 43% reduction in carbon emissions by 2030,” he said. “We are currently not on track to achieve this goal.”
Vaux said that boats last for 30 to 50 years and beyond, and most are used less than 50 hours per year. The majority of a vessel’s carbon impact is wrapped up in its production, he said, urging the use of sustainable fuels to help meet the industry’s decarbonization goals. “Whether it’s drop-in fuels, hydrogen or other alternatives, we know this is how we will move forward and achieve these goals. There is no one-size-fits-all solution, but this is the way forward.”
Soundings Trade Only Group vice president and general manager Michele Goldsmith was presented with the NMMA’s Alan J. Freedman Memorial Leadership Award, which recognizes individuals who make outstanding contributions to the marine accessories industry through leadership, creativity and personal motivation.
“Throughout her career, Michele has had the unique ability to connect people and ideas. Her passion, vision and dedication are matched with a tireless commitment to bettering the marine industry,” said Steve Tilders, nominator and sales director for Xylem. “It is an honor to present Michele Goldsmith with this well-deserved recognition, and we hope she continues to inspire and empower future generations of marine industry professionals for years to come.”
In 2018, Goldsmith joined Active Interest Media as publisher of Soundings Trade Only. In 2023, she was named vice president and general manager of the Soundings Trade Only Group. During her tenure with AIM, she has pioneered programs and event series, including Pitch the Pros, Women in the Industry, and the 1+1 Mentoring Program.
Correct Craft president and CEO Bill Yeargin presented the Charles Fredric Chapman Award to industry innovator Dave Livingston, co-owner of Fluid Motion, and its head of design and product development. Livingston’s career spans more than 60 years, during which he collaborated with numerous manufacturers as wide-ranging as Bayliner, Trophy, Ranger Tugs, Cutwater, Fountain, Wellcraft and Regal.
The NMMA also announced 62 recipients of the 2023 Marine Industry Customer Satisfaction Index Awards, which honor boat and engine manufacturers that measure customer satisfaction and pursue continuous improvement to better-serve their customers. Award recipients achieved an independently measured standard of excellence of 90% or higher in customer satisfaction during the past program year, based on information provided by customers purchasing a new boat or engine in 2023.
The NMMA also honored 13 recipients and two honorable mentions with Miami Innovation Awards, judged by members of Boating Writers International. The awards recognize manufacturers and suppliers that bring innovative products to market. Judges included chairman and Soundings Trade Only contributor Ben Stein, co-chair Tim Murphy, Kelsey Bonham, Kevin Falvey, Soundings Trade Only contributor Alan Jones, Adam Quandt, Soundings Trade Only editor-in-chief Gary Reich, and Tony Esposito.
Women in the Industry
Soundings Trade Only hosted an event as part of its Women in the Industry series. More than 200 attendees participated, with a panel that featured industry leaders Ellen Bradley, NMMA chief brand officer and senior vice president of marketing and communications; Brenna Preisser, executive vice president Brunswick Acceleration; and Kim Sweers, the “The Boat Boss” podcaster, owner of FB Marine Group and founder/owner of Picked Cherries. Goldsmith moderated the panel.
Next year’s Discover Boating Miami International Boat Show is scheduled to run Feb. 12-16.
This article was originally published in the February 2024 issue.
