In partnership with Axopar, the innovative Finnish builder of performance outboard-powered day boats and cruisers, the German firm Brabus offers their Shadow bespoke boats that exude swagger and attitude. At the Ft. Lauderdale show, the new Shadow 1000 XC , with its Black Ops and carbon fiber look and powered by twin 500-horsepower Mercury Racing engines, almost seemed to growl as you walked by it on the dock. Brabus’ stock and trade is taking luxury vehicles and transforming them into high-performance and unique products –think the Mercades’ AMG line of cars. The Shadow category applies this ethos to boats and…

The team behind the Slovenian boat builder Greenline made a commitment from the company’s inception. In 2008 to build boats that are as eco-friendly as possible. They pioneered solar charging and battery systems and worked with vendors to create electric propulsion systems, including proprietary management software. The concept was an immediate hit and propelled Greenline to rapid growth not only in Europe where eco-friendliness is a passion, but around the world. The U.S. became their largest market and Yacht Sales International in Ft. Lauderdale one of their biggest dealers. YSI announced this week that they will have the all-new Greenline…

There certainly is something special about the new Sunreef Ultima 88 mega power cats that appeals to a very select group of elite sportsmen. Since tennis legend Rafa Nadal ordered one three years ago, tennis champion Carlos Alcaraz and Formula One drivers Fernando Alonso and Nico Rosberg have bought one. Messi is next in line. “It’s a real pleasure to join the Sunreef family,” Messi said in a statement. My family and I have always loved spending time at sea whenever we get the chance.” The model is the apex of the Ultima line and was first introduced in 2023.…

One of the boats that caught my eye while at the Cannes Boat Show was the Greek-built Omikron 60 power cruiser. The boat was designed by Juan Koyoumdjian who is best known for his stylish and fast cruising and racing sailboats. The builder’s brief to the designer was for a family cruiser that offers the quiet and peace of a sailboat with the luxury and conveniences of a powerboat. The Omikron 60 is the result and it’s traditional deck house and strong sheer line have echoes of Eastern Mediterranean boats from the 1950s. Missing is the acre of varnished mahogany,…

The East Bay line of family cruisers was launched in 1993 by Grand Banks to enter the performance cruising market with a sleek Downeast sedan. Traditional Grand Banks boats of that period were eight to 10-knot trawlers that did not compete well against the modern cruisers built by Sabre, Back Cove and others. Today, East Bay builds two models, the flagship 60 and the mid-range 44. The smaller boat has been given many upgrades by the new owners of Grand Banks yet still is endowed with the classic features that made the original East Bay 38 such a popular boat.…

The Solara brand was introduced by Fluid Motion nearly a decade ago and has proven to be a real hit with America’s performance cruiser aficionados. Built in the U.S. by the builder of Ranger Tugs and Cutwater Boats, the Solara style is that of a classic American sport cruiser. The B in its name stands for the flybridge, a feature seldom seen on boats that are only 31-feet long. The builder likes to emphasize that the 310 SB is a multi-purpose boat. It can take you offshore for sport fishing, it can run the family to the beach for an…