The Miami International Boat Show got underway yesterday at four venues across the city: the Miami Beach Convention Center, Pride Park, The Yacht Collection Collins Avenue and Sailor’s Cove at IGY Yacht Haven Grande.
The first day was filled with press conferences announcing the launch of new boats, components, accessories and more.
Aine Denari, Navico Group president and Brunswick chief technology officer, announced the launch of new Simrad and B&G MFDs by introducing Yasser Nafei, president of electronic solutions at Navico.
The company debuted the Simrad NSO-4 MFD, which features increased processor performance, better efficiency and a new mounting system. Navico also introduced the B&G Zeus SRX MFD, which also features better performance and efficiency, and comes in 16- and 22-inch sizes.
Mercury Marine executive vice president and president John G. Buelow introduced four new products, including a keyless system, Boost software upgrade for outboards, the Premier joystick and the DTS performance pedal.
Flite introduced Series 6 electric foiling boards with improved foils and other features, including a range of new colors. Developed in partnership with Mercury Racing, the 34-mph Race Fliteboard was also launched, as well as new high-performance FLUX_Wings foils.
Indmar Marine Engines introduced a new hybrid propulsion system for wakesurf boats that, according to the company, has 120 kW of on-board charging power, 830 total system horsepower, and 530 direct-to shaft horsepower. The engine was developed in cooperation with Genesis Marine Technologies, Ford Motor Co. and Roush Performance.
“This is not a concept. This is not a retrofit,” Tahmeed Ahmad, president of Genesis Marine Technologies, said in a statement. “This is a fully integrated hybrid propulsion system designed for real-world marine performance. It represents the next chapter in marine technology — and the future of what’s possible on the water.”
Scout Boats owner, founder and president Steve Potts provided a company update and introduced four new models in the Miami Beach Convention Center, including the 288 Dorado and 435 LXF Lithium Ion, which features a generatorless house battery system.
Other launches include the Boston Whaler 330 Outrage, Sea Ray SLX 360 Outboard, Navan, Aquila 50 Sail, Pathfinder 2800 Hybrid, Blackfin 242HB, Pursuit DC 286, Galeon 520 and 620, Chris-Craft Launch 27 and Pardo 43 Outboard Walkaround.
Highfield USA president Christophe Lavigne provided a business update and announced the launch of a new class of RIB, the ADV9, which is aimed at the adventure-boating market. “We are expanding our reach across the globe,” Lavigne said, “but it is definitely a difficult environment we’re dealing with now. We aim to keep growing and remain the biggest RIB builder in the U.S. in 2026.”
A number of press receptions were scheduled into the evening, including sessions hosted by Suzuki, Yamaha and Prestige Yachts.
Trade Only Today will continue reporting from the show and the NMMA’s Industry Breakfast in tomorrow’s e-newsletter.
