So, what is PBIBS, you might ask? Well, it is what marine business folk call the Palm Beach International Boat Show that opens next Wednesday on Marc h 25. This all powerboat show, which is actually located in West Palm Beach along Intracoastal Waterway, has grown by leaps and bound over the last decade and become one of our favorite.
The mix of boats seems just about right in a balance between family cruisers (our thing), mega yachts, muscle boats and dinhies. Plus there are acres of gear and equipment and service companies with booths on land.
Increasingly, boat builders, particularly from Europe are bringing their new design to PBIBS for their debuts in North America and this year is no exception. So, with that said, here is our Cruising Odyssey take on the eight new family cruisers that anyone in this market must see.
Aquila 45 Sport
Aquila is the world’s largest builder of power catamrans and is a relentless develop of new models. Their new 45 Sport is just that, a truly sporty family cruiser with a cruising speed of 40 knots and an eye-watering top end of 50-plus knots. Plus is has weekending accommodations for a family of four. If speed is your need, the 45 Sport will be your mount of choice. Read more here.
Axopar 38 XC Cross Cabin
The new 38 Cross Cabin from this Finnish builder packs all of the builder’s outboard-driven performance DNA is a family cruising package with a difference. The new boat has a full salon and a large cockpit aft that. Is equipped with fold-down balconies on both sides. Wiuth walk-around decks, a forward lounge and sleeping cabins for four, this is one of the most unique new offerings for 2026. Read more here.
Galeon 520 Fly
The Polish bnuilder of luxury motoryachts and family cruisers has been around since 1982 but their presence in North Akerica is much more recent. The all-new Galeon 520 Fly joins the six other models in their Fly line and offers a roomy, fast and comfortable platform for long summer cruises. Powered by twin Volvo D11 IPS drives and with 500 gallons of fuel, the 520 Fly is a go-anywhere yacht. Read more here.
Marex 390
Marex, the Norwegian builder, is coming to this year PBIBS with several of their attractive, innovative cruising boats but the highlight will have to the introduction of the new Marex 390. This stylish coupe has the same great bones of her sister ship and all of the innovative detail, yet the design looks even more modern and capable. The 390 and her sisters have so many innovations it wil take you an hours to grasp them all. Read more here.
Sabre 51 Salon Express
The all-new Sabre 51 Salon Express had it debut last month at the Miami boat show but is making its first appearance at Palm Beach next week. It is always new when the iconic Maine builder introduces a new, Downeast-style express cruise since the company is one of USA’s most respected boat builders and their yachts from 38 to 58 feet are admired worldwide. The 51 is certainly a must-see at the show. Read more here.
Saxdor 460
A relatively new brand, the finish builder Saxdor has been on a tear over the last few years with growth in sales of 50 percent on more year-over-year. That’s because they are delivering boats that cruising family and young professional want, providing the styling, performance and panache these customers want. The new 460 GTC being introduced at PBIBS underscore that point. With a full width salon and three 400-hp motors on the stern, the 460 is something special. Read more here.
Sirena 60
The new Sirena 60 from the respected Turkish builder is really more of a mini-mega-yacht than a hunble family cruiser. Yet, it is still designed to be operated by a coiuple or a family with children and not by professional crew. With generous exterior and interior spaces and four sleeping cabins, this is a big nboat. Plus it has extended range for long summer vacations. Read more here.
Tiara 46 LS
Tiara Yachts of Holland, Michigan is bringing teir new Tiara 46 LS to PBOBS and it is sure to make waves. AQs the new edition to the luxury Sport line, the 46 combines the performance that three 600-hp Mercury Verdo outboards and 21 degrees of dead rise can provide with the comfortable accommodations below for four in two spacious double cabins. Tiara is as all-American as they come and the new 46 is a shinging example of the duilder’s creft and quality. Read more here.
