If you have never been to the Ft. Lauderdale International Boat Show it may be hard for you to imagine its scale. It’s the largest in-the-water boat show in North America and over five days next week starting on Wednesday a quarter of a million people will walk the docks and hundreds of millions of dollars will be spent on new boats and yachts.
Every year builders of fine motor yachts from around the world come to FLIBS, as it is known, to introduce their newest designs. From America we have dozens of local builders including famous name brands like Hinckley, Sabre, Tiara and MJM. And, there will be boats from all over Europe and Scandinavia as well as South Africa. South America, Malaysia, China, Australia and more.
Strolling the docks you will hear many folks speaking foreign languages because FLIBS is a destination boat show, the one place in North America where you can find everything to do with power boats and motor yachts.
As we do each year, in the week before the show, we highlight a dozen or so boats that will have their debuts at the show in the mid-range family cruising market. Here you go.
The new Palm Beach 85, which will be available in three distinct configurations is now the prestigious builder’s flagship and an elegant example of what CEO and chief designer Mark Richards has accomplished in 30 years of creating some of the world’s finest yachts.
Nordhavn introduces the new Nordhavn 46 MkII which is a complete redesign and rethink of the 46 that has been so successful and emblematic of long range cruisers everywhere. The MK II is a stylish statement of what luxury live-aboard cruising is all about.
The handsome CLB 72 from the highly respected Chinese builder CL Yachts (Cheoy Lee), is an all-around family cruiser with a level of luxury, refinement and performance that is rare in a boat of this size. You’d think you were on a 100-footer. The 72 has a salon and dining area that flow together seamlessly and below decks there’s a full-beam master cabin.
The new Aspen C128, built on the company’s trade-marked proa hull design, is a fine combination of motoring efficiency, easy sea keeping and superior American craftsmanship. Aspen proas are truly innovative.
The new Hinckley 39 with the builder’s first-ever forward lounge blends the classic down east picnic boat styling with an efficient hull and a layout with three large and distinct social areas. For day tripping or long weekends away, the new 39 is a special boat from one of America’s most famous builders.
2025 has been an exciting year for Norwegian builder Marex since the brand has opened a new U.S. distributor and taken on several well respected dealers. The Marex 440 Scandinavian is their largest boat and is an innovative and beautifully built example what a family cruiser is all about.
The Finnish builder Saxdor continues to refine their ultra-modern designs and the Saxdor 400 GTS, sporting a forward lounge, twin outboards and an expandable cockpit, is no exception. Plus, the stepped hull provides a surefooted ride and a head snapping turn of speed.
Pardo is a distinctly Italian brand with modern Med styling and the new Pardo 43 fits that billing with elan. The 43 is a day boat with weekending capabilities and will be both a fun party boat and a a sanctuary for a family.
The new Riviera 4300 from the Australian builder of fine, luxury yachts gives the brand a sporty and fast new mid-range family cruiser. Note the modern glazing in the hull and huge sun roof over the salon. This is indoor-outdoor living at its best.
Winner of several European yachting awards last year, the Omikron OT 60, which is built in Greece, has distinctive styling, a pleasing layout for living aboard and an extremely efficient hull. This is a long-range family cruiser that minimizes fuel consumption and maximizes comfort.
The new Cutwater C 288 CB is a fine new addition to the Northwest builder’s line of family cruisers and is a size that will appeal to new cruisers and those down-sizing from larger yachts. As in all the builder’s boats, the new 288 comes very well equipped and ready to head out cruising on day one.
With the look of a modern Italian sports car and old-world quality from the builders in Croatia, the new Makai M37 is an elegant cruising cat with an impressive turn of speed. The twin hulls provide the beam for a spacious salon and cockpit while the retractable sun roof opens the salon to the sun and breeze.
MJM Yachts under new ownership and the direction of the CEO and President Natascia Hatch has this year rebranded their four basic models and expanded the line with different configurations for the models. The new MJM 38 RS takes the 38-foot cruising hull and adds sport fishing gear such as a bait well, additional rod holders and more. All of the MJMs will be at FLIBS.
The Tiara 49 built by the Slikkers family in Holland, Michigan, is a true sport family cruiser that has a huge cockpit with fold-down sides and accommodation for four down below. Tiara is as American as Apple pie and a treasure among North American boat builders.
