10 Superyacht Debuts Dominating FLIBS Docks This Year

Superyachts come in all shapes and sizes, facts which sometimes get lost amid reports of mega-size launches and deliveries. The annual Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show (FLIBS), long the world’s largest in-water boat show, will have yachts from 80 to 242 feet (24 to 74 meters) among its multiple locations. In fact, the 66th edition of the event, from October 29 to November 2, includes several global and North American premieres. From builders in Brazil, The Netherlands, Turkey, the UK, and more, these are 10 superyacht debuts dominating FLIBS.

Bold in style and built for speed, the AB 110 is a flying-bridge cruiser capable of exceeding 43 knots. What’s more, the four-foot (1.3-meter) draft means you can cruise some of the shallowest areas like the Bahamas all day. One great spot to enjoy the waters is the “flying couch” at the bow, an elevated, wrap-around settee. Having just premiered last month at the Monaco Yacht Show, the megayacht is making her stateside debut.

Casino Royale is the undisputed queen of the superyacht debuts dominating FLIBS. In fact, she’s the largest of them all, at 242 feet (74 meters). Part of the Amels 242 Limited Editions series (sistership shown), she bears styling by the renowned Tim Heywood and interior design by the equally renowned Winch Design. Twelve people in the owners’ party have a spa and steam room for relaxing, besides their six staterooms.

The newest Mulder ThirtySix, the 119-foot (36-meter) Castlefinn just saw delivery in August. Unusual for a modest-size megayacht, she has two VIP suites that convert into one expansive suite. The master suite, meanwhile, occupies the full beam on the main deck and has a three-pane skylight. An abundance of oak paneling and flooring lends a beachy-cool vibe throughout Castlefinn’s decks, too.

Although this project saw delivery last year, Cheoy Lee is premiering its steel-hulled bluewater-cruising series now. Why? Because the owner recently returned from extensive cruising, a taste of the East Coast to South Pacific cruising he had in mind in commissioning her. The trideck design includes accommodations for 10, with interior design by Sylvia Bolton.

This 217-footer (66.25-meter) is one of the largest superyacht debuts dominating FLIBS docks. She’s further the most expensive, for sale at €85 million ($98 million). Nine years old, and from Feadship, Hampshire stands out for having all six guest suites on the main deck—one of which converts to two staterooms. The owners have an entire deck to themselves one level up. Throughout the yacht, dark walnut and light grey-stained oak combine with leather overheads for the modern New England décor.

If you’re a catamaran fan, you’re in for a treat. Hemisphere launched in 2011 from Pendennis as the world’s largest sailing catamaran. LOA: 145 feet (44 meters). This further makes her the biggest cat at FLIBS, a boat show she has never previously attended. Thanks to the VPLP design studio, responsible for many successful multihulls, she features some clever engineering. For example, bomb-bay-like doors in the section between her twin hulls conceal her 12-person tender.

Classically styled motoryachts are the specialty of Palm Beach Motoryachts. The PB85 continues the tradition, as the flagship model. Despite her name, her LOA is actually 90’5” (27.55 meters). Newly launched, she tops out at 26 knots and can cover 700 nautical miles at a still-swift 21 knots. Notably, the builder says fuel consumption is just 58 gph at that speed. The Palm Beach 85 is available as a sedan style (shown), a flying-bridge design, or a skylounge design as well.   

Although she might be the smallest of the superyacht debuts dominating FLIBS docks, the Princess S80 is plenty big enough for a party of 10. On a related note, FLIBS marks the S80’s North American premiere.

Unlike any previous Hargrave, the 125-foot (38-meter) Resonance is sportier and more modern in profile. Yet, she has the amenities that please multi-generational crowds, such as five king-size staterooms and a beach club In fact, the beach club contains a sauna/steam shower. There’s also something entirely unexpected aboard, though: a skylight aft on the uppermost deck, over a bar.

Hull number one of the Inace Adventure 106 series completed her maiden voyage earlier this year. She’s a trideck with 4,844 square feet (450 square meters) of relaxation space inside and out, including six staterooms. (Future Adventure 106 series clients can opt for five staterooms instead.) Since long range is a priority, the steel-hulled Sea Boss can cover 3,500 nautical miles at 10 knots.

Tickets, including to the Windward VIP Experience at the Superyacht Village location, are available online only. Note, too, the option at checkout to donate to the Marine Research Hub. This non-profit fosters collaboration among research, education, business, and economic development organizations to make South Florida a global leader in the Blue Economy.

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