FLIBS 62nd Edition – 2021 Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show

The Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show returned to enchant boaters around the world last weekend

Great success for the 62nd 2021 edition of the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, which began Wednesday 27 and ended Sunday 31 October and finally returned to full audience capacity after the last edition, that of 2020, had suffered strong general exhibitors downsizing, business, and revenues from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Related: Boat Shows 2021: what events are still on the calendar and what are no more?

The Fort Lauderdale boat show, since its inception, has always aroused great interest and influx of professionals and boating lovers, becoming a staple of the sector worldwide and generating a turnover estimated at well over one billion dollars per year.

After the period of hardship that has just passed, this year, the event took place again at its usual level of participation and the city returned to host over 700 boats on display between Wednesday 27 and Sunday 31 October. A real breath of fresh air for the local nautical industry which involves and employs over 8,000 people, without counting the related industries.

What is the “FLIBS”?

For those unfamiliar with it, the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show (or simply “FLIBS”) is the largest on-water boat show in the world. Owned by the Marine Industries Association of South Florida (MIASF) and manufactured by Informa Markets.

Located close to the beach of Fort Lauderdale, a town in sunny South Florida, just north of Miami, FLIBS covers approximately three million square feet of exhibition space (approximately 300,000 square meters). A huge area, connected through an intricate network of water and land transport services.

The event, spread over five days of exhibition, has always attracted tens of thousands of participants, hundreds of boats of all sizes and types, and a large number of exhibitors from all over the world (52 countries represented in 2019) who promote their products related to the nautical world and beyond.

For five days, Florida becomes the yachting capital of the world and more.

FLIBS is not just a large exhibition of boats but an all-around event capable of involving its visitors in various ways.

In terms of visits, the Superyacht Village is certainly the master, the gateway to the most spectacular superyachts in the world that has hosted boats of almost 300 feet, including renowned shipyards, private submarines, and exotic collectibles.

To fully enjoy the show, the Windward VIP Club has been created, an exclusive indoor and outdoor destination to enjoy the thrill of the nautical show overlooking the coast and the water with an open bar and gourmet food offered in the best of comfort.

There was no shortage of opportunities to involve participants in first person thanks to AquaZone, a space dedicated to exciting and engaging attractions designed to offer boat show visitors a personal and direct experience with a variety of water sports and innovative marine products.

And for the little ones? “Hook the Future”, a real seminar on fishing techniques designed and tailored for children aged 4 to 16 years. with live and interactive instructions on equipment, lures, the casting of rods and reels, and ethics in fishing.

As per tradition, there was no lack of nautical charters.

Here are two examples of superyachts available for charter that took part in the event:

Moca – Benetti

Built by Benetti in 2016 and refitted in 2021, Moca is a 64-meter luxury yacht.

The interior layout has been admirable to give space to 7 large cabins that can accommodate up to 16 guests and accommodation for up to 15 crew members. All designed to ensure maximum comfort and living space.

Made with an all-steel hull, Moca boasts a width of almost 11 meters and a draft of over 4.

Its remarkable gross tonnage of 1,081 tons is well supported by 2 MTU engines that guarantee a maximum speed of 16 knots, and a cruising speed of 12 knots.

Amara – Riva

Built by Riva in 2016, Amara is a 27-meter luxury yacht.

She can comfortably accommodate up to 8 guests divided into 4 large cabins.

Made with a fiberglass hull, Amara boasts a width of over 6 meters and a draft of almost 2.

Many prestigious brands show at FLIBS

Among the protagonists of the American show are, as usual, some of the most prestigious brands that presented a fleet of high-level yachts and superyachts, in many cases presented for the first time to the American public after the triumphal catwalks at the end of the summer.

Here are just some of the brands that have presented new models:

Ferretti Group

In the Ferretti Group fleet there were 4 premières: Ferretti 1000, Ferretti 780, Pershing 6X and Riva 88 Folgore. To complete the scene, a selection of the most representative models of the most recent production of the group, such as the Ferretti 720 and 920, the jewels of the Riva Rivale 56, Rivamare, and Dolce Riva brands, the Pershing 7X and 8X, and the 48 Wallytender X.

Azimut-Benetti Group

The Azimut-Benetti group is also in perfect harmony, which in Fort Lauderdale presented the world premiere of the Azimut Verve 42, the “little brother” of the Verve 47, designed specifically for the American market and owner of a resounding success, with 50 units sold. , 30 of which in the last year alone.

All models feature a clear Italian design and a layout that provides ample space for moments of relaxation and conviviality, without excluding performance in the name of power and speed.

In Fort Lauderdale also the Azimut Grande Trideck and Azimut 53, both for the first time in the USA. The parade was completed by 9 other yachts, including the Magellano 25 Metri.

All with a view to improving the group’s position in the American market more and more.

Benetti Group

The absolute protagonists of the Fort Lauderdale Boat Show are also the superyachts with the Benetti brand, large boats of great charm that best represent the shipyard’s ability to look at technological innovation without neglecting tradition. Three of them are exhibited in the Florida show, but the absolute protagonist is the new Motopanfilo 37M, a composite yacht suspended in time, which has its roots in the design of the Benetti shuttles of the 60s, of which it incorporates the gentle elegance and refinement.

Next to the Motopanfilo 37M is Rebeca, the first unit of the Oasis 40M, an award-winning model that won the title of best displacement motor yacht in its category at the World Superyacht Awards for its layout. Among the qualities that characterize it, the Oasis Deck, a spectacular multifunctional beach area of ​​90 square meters, completely open to the sea just a few steps from the water.

To complete the scene, Benetti also brought the Bachanal to Florida, a 47-meter custom yacht with a steel hull and aluminum superstructure, never exhibited before in a boat show.

Contact  now YBH Charter Brokers:

You can contact us by sending an email at ask@yourboatholiday.com or by phone, calling +39 33436 00997, available also on WhatsApp for both calls and texting.