The start of the annual Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show (FLIBS) is 21 days away. (If you’re really into countdowns, the show’s hompage has a digital clock ticking away the seconds, minutes, hours, etc.) Entering its 59th year, it’s long been the must-attend superyacht show stateside. Add in new VIP experiences, new international food vendors, and even wine tasting, and FLIBS 2018 is taking things up a notch.
Abundant yachts are the primary focus, though. From tenders to brokerage megayachts as well as new megayachts, you have plenty to see. So, where do you start? Here are six megayachts making their American—or even international—debuts.
1. Elandess. Abeking & Rasmussen constructed an underwater viewing lounge for this 244-foot (74.5-meter) superyacht. Her project manager calls it a “natural cinema.” It’s usable when cruising, too. In addition, it’s “absolutely incredible,” according to the Harrison Eidsgaard International team, which designed the interior. This is just one of several reasons to book an appointment to see her at FLIBS if you’re serious about superyachts.
2. Utopia IV. A high-profile, high-power couple, JR and Loren Ridinger, are the owners of Utopia IV (top). Notably, this is the first time that Rossinavi will have a new yacht at FLIBS. The shipyard built the sleek 207-footer (63-meter) for private and business use. In fact, she combines family-friendly spaces with ones for corporate entertaining. She further cruises at a reported 26 knots.
3. Horizon CC 115. Mexican customers just took delivery of this yacht over the summer. With styling by Cor D Rover, the CC 115 has an outdoor cinema forward, as well as a swim platform reinforced for carrying a seaplane. (Sorry, kids; the seaplane isn’t available for “testing” at FLIBS.) Furthermore, all spaces revolve around the owners’ large family.
4. Ferretti 920. Flying-bridge fans will appreciate the Ferretti 920. You’ll also appreciate how the VIP suite below could be a second master suite, after the main-deck owner’s suite. The Ferretti 920 is meant for speed, too. Top end with the standard engines is 26 knots. Optional engines, meanwhile, promise up to 30 knots.
5. Ocean Alexander 90R. “R” stands for “Revolution.” We say the 90R revels in being radical. This ultra-modern motoryacht is different than any other Ocean Alexander model. One example: a glass-fronted and -topped beach club. It’s something you simply don’t see on motoryachts in this size range.
6. Azimut Grande 25 Metri. While this new model premiered in Europe this season, FLIBS is her stateside debut. LOA: 82 feet. Don’t be fooled by the length, though. She has big-megayacht thinking in space arrangement and decor, the latter by Achille Salvagni. Expect her to top out around 29 knots as well.
Johan
Is there any photo available for these mega yachts?
Diane M. Byrne
Each builder has photos on their website; we used select photos to keep the story from looking overwhelming. However, we’ll have several more photos of some of the yachts, including interiors, in the next few weeks, when we publish Megayacht News Onboard features. Stay tuned!