Miami International

Boat Show Preview

Editors’  Picks:

Something for Every Taste

Altima will be showing its 61-foot Pilothouse Motoryacht designed for outdoor living with both the large flybridge hard top and covered aft main deck preferred by sun-sensitive individuals. The 61 has been given a fresh new look with more stylized window treatments and an improved profile. Her cockpit sole has been raised allowing for a truly cavernous lazerette and enhanced engine room access. The yacht features three staterooms with private stairs from the saloon to the master suite. Yacht & Brokerage Show.

Bayliner is focusing on the fun factor with its new Bayliner Beach display and showcase of “affordable, family-style” boats headlined by a new 245 Sunbridge cruiser. This model is an entry overnighter with a comfortable mid-cabin as well as a U-shaped dinette forward that transforms into a V-berth. The upgrade engine is a 260-hp Mercruiser Bravo III with emissions control. Convention Center.

Cigarette is smoking hot with two new boats at opposite ends of the spectrum. One is a no-frills military version of its 39-foot Top Fish center console, while the other is an ultra-luxe go-fast built out of an association with Mercedes AMG. Inspired by the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG, the Cigarette AMG Offshore will feature more than 100 innovations in design, development and rigging. Top speed is expected to exceed 120 mph. Responding to requests from military and law enforcement, Cigarette modified its Top Fish with an all-digital console. Custom Stidd seating originally developed for the U.S. Navy Seals was modified for Cigarette to provide proper balance and support for passengers. Convention Center.

Ferretti will be showcasing its 881 Raised Pilot House, an evolution of the fleet’s flagship, with a new upper deck. The result is a design aimed at enhancing maneuverability and space. The galley has been relocated to the bow with a large working space below windows that flood the space with light. A side door allows the crew to reach the galley or the pilothouse from the deck without disturbing guests in the saloon. Also making a U.S. debut is the builder’s Altura 840. A relaxed loft-like modern interior features a full-beam owner’s stateroom aft of the engine room. Galley, guest accommodations and crew are on the lower deck with dining on a mezzanine level. Yacht & Brokerage Show.

Grady-White introduces its feature-rich, trailerable 23-foot Fisherman 230 with a single Yamaha 250 outboard. This 8’ 6” beam, 23-footer is chock-a-block with features and good use of space. Highlights include an aft cockpit roomier than those of many larger boats, a removable cooler that doubles as forward seating, a stand-up head in the console, and optional integrated T-top. Convention Center.

While Grand Banks  will have big introductions later this year with its new 53-foot Aleutian and 72-foot Aleutian SC models, it’s covering the cruising bases  with three current top sellers in two locations: the Zeus-drive Heritage 41, an Aleutian 65 raised pilothouse and an Eastbay 39 SX. Sea Isle Marina and Yacht & Brokerage Show.
Hargrave Custom Yachts will be showcasing a new 101-foot, 22-knot semi-displacement model among its 10-boat fleet. Four-stateroom Victoriano features numerous European styling trends in cabinet, marble and granite details, fabric choices and hardware. Another obvious break is the absence of the informal country kitchen, in lieu of formal dining. Her exterior styling is by Ted Black Design Studio. Yacht & Brokerage Show.

French builder Jeanneau will have two models from its powerboat fleet on display, the sporty open Prestige 42S with IPS and the chic Prestige 50 with the largest flybridge in its class and conventional shaft drive power. Yacht & Brokerage Show.

West Coast Florida builder Jupiter has nearly doubled the size of its display to present new models aimed at an audience interested in economy. Making its debut is a new 26 FS center console designed for a single Yamaha F350 or twin Yamaha F150s. Fuel economy was this boat’s intent, but its smaller size and price may attract new fans. Also on display will be an updated 29 FS with twin 250s and a 34 FS. A big draw—you can’t miss the tower—will be a customized 38-foot FS battle wagon rigged to fish the World Sailfish Tournament series. Convention Center.

Kadey-Krogen has an updated version of its 48-foot North Sea with an expanded galley surrounding larger appliances, an asymmetrical helm with improved guest seating and a summer kitchen on the flybridge. Sea Isle Marina.

Leopard Catamarans will be showing its new, award-winning Leopard 38 and its 46-foot sailing catamaran, which has become a fixture of the charter trade for Sunsail and Moorings. Both boats are available in private owner or charter optimized packages. Miamarina at Bayside with free water taxi from Sea Isle Marina.

Marlow Yachts is unveiling an addition to its Prowler line with a 37-foot center console called the Havana Series. Powered by dual Yanmar 315-hp inboards, her transom is free for fishing and she’s bound to be nimble with a displacement of just 11,000 pounds thanks to her infused Kevlar, carbon fiber and epoxy hull. Top end is nearly 40 mph. A soft ride and near perfect spray control offer comfort on a day outing, yet beneath what appears to be a typical center console exterior are overnight accommodations. Beyond the large head compartment in the console are full-size twin berths. Her 12-foot beam should provide stability and buoyancy, while 410 gallons of fuel will allow you to fill up in the Keys and arrive non-stop in George Town, Exuma, or Cozumel, Mexico. Sea Isle Marina.

Meridian is bouncing back with two new models alongside its trusty 391 Sedan. New models are a 441 updated to Zeus power and the long-anticipated 541 Sedan. The 541 pairs sexy lines and an optional hard-top with the industry’s first bridge boat application of twin 600-hp  Zeus pods standard. With an LOA of 53’10” and a 15’ 6” beam, the 541 is Meridian’s largest sedan. The boat features a three-stateroom, two-head layout, including a full-beam master, and wait until you see where they put the saloon! Convention Center.

Australia’s Maritimo will feature a new 56-foot motoryacht sporting a profile that presents a sleeker appearance, with more rake to its bow and a slightly longer flybridge deck. While the Australian enclosed bridge concept has been primarily aimed at the game fishing fraternity, in commenting on the boat’s cruising motoryacht label, Maritimo USA President Tom Northrop says, “we believe that most people who own flying bridge boats appreciate what the design delivers—appearance, command, vision, accommodation—but don’t have the slightest interest in game fishing.” This model features three staterooms and an aft galley. Maritimo will also display 48-, 52- and 60-foot motoryachts. Yacht & Brokerage Show.

Ocean Alexander expects to unveil its new 62-foot pilothouse motoryacht, which replaces a 58-footer in its line up. The 62 is a three-stateroom boat courtesy of a generous 17’ 6” beam. A galley splits the helm and dinette from the saloon. Including its 60-foot trawler, the builder will have a full range of yachts on display up to its lovely, spacious 88-foot tri-deck. Yacht & Brokerage Show.

Ranger Tugs will be showing its new 25SC and the 29-foot trailerable tug we profiled in the Sept. 2009 issue. The efficient 25 hits 17.4 knots on a single Yanmar 150 engine while burning just six gallons of fuel per hour.  Legally trailerable with a beam of 8’ 6”, it weighs under 6,000 pounds. Sea Isle Marina.

Among the six models Australia’s largest builder, Riviera, will display is the new 43 Offshore Express with Volvo IPS drive and its big sister the 48 Offshore and the popular 41, 45 and 47 Open Flybridge models to fish or cruise. The 45 has excellent molded-in stairs to the flybridge. Riviera’s Sport Yacht line, which now extends to 58 feet, will be represented by its 4400 with IPS power. Yacht & Brokerage Show.

Escorted by two hardtop express models, Sabre Yachts’ 40-foot Sedan cruises into Miami for the first time. While still retaining its traditional style, it is available with or without a flybridge. With a 14-foot beam and a large deckhouse, this boat has enough room for company with two good-size staterooms, and the Cummins/Zeus pod drive makes it responsive and easy to handle. Sea Isle Marina.

Scout Boats is unveiling its new 345XSF flagship center console with forward seating. The hull features Scout’s step technology and numerous features such as an under deck area that converts into a 2-person berth inside the console, an aft systems room under deck, a space-saving galley complete with refrigerator, microwave, head and shower housed inside the console. Max horsepower is 700 and a Fischer Panda genset and airconditioner are optional. Scout plans to offer 10 new models in its product line for 2010. Convention Center.

SeaHunter promises a new 37-foot Tournament edition center console by showtime although details are still under wraps. Speaking of wraps, on the 35T on display you’ll see the most amazing graphic wrap ever for Team Mar Azul, the high-tech fishing platform of Nicole Portuondo, top-ranked junior and female angler of the 2009 World Billfish Series, featuring underwater images of billfish by photographer Tony Ludovico. Convention Center.

Sundancers will be front and center at the Sea Ray display. The focus is on four new models, the Sundancer 450, 470, 500, and 540, all equipped with Axius or Zeus pod drive propulsion linked to Mercruiser or Cummins Mercruiser engines. Along with new silhouettes and large fixed portlights, the interiors have all been redesigned and all sport fashionable wood joinery. You can also view the 450 at the Cummins display. Sea Isle Marina.

Italian builder Sessa will debut its C43, American version featuring a cockpit with two separate recreation areas with two sofas seating up to eight people each. One of these areas can easily accommodate six guests for dinner around a massive teak table; the second is equipped with a retractable table that can be easily tucked away alongside a couch that can be transformed into a gigantic sunpad. The Sessa C43 is powered either by owner’s choice of IPS500s or Volvo D6 engines. Yacht & Brokerage Show.

Tiara Yachts ushers in 2010 with a brand new 4300 Open, the new flagship of its open series. This model replaces the 4200 and adds new features as well as length. The model features mezzanine aft cockpit seating, fish or cruise hardtop options–each integrated to the windshield to maximize visibility, a large skylight inviting natural light to the interior and a new two stateroom accommodation design. Twin 715-hp Cummins engines are standard. Convention Center.

Uniesse, which has established a new Miami Beach sales office, will show five boats, the largest of which is a new 32-knot, 65-foot motoryacht. The 65MY is a luxury floating residence focused on hospitality.  The yacht is available with a three or four stateroom layout plus crew quarters aft. Each of the 65s delivered to date have been customized, but all have a version of the congenial galley-up layout. Yacht & Brokerage Show.

Vicem Yachts is focused on the U.S. debut of its 57-foot Sportfisherman. The 57 SF carries on the Vicem tradition of exquisite detail but is unmistakably built for tournament-style fishing. The 57 SF interior living areas feature ample berths, leather furnishings, and sumptuous use of solid mahogany for paneling and cabinets. This boat is outfitted with 1,800-hp MAN engines,  tuna tower, stainless steel shafts, rudders, rod holders, rocket launchers, a fighting chair,  and live bait well. Yacht & Brokerage Show.

Sunreef Yachts is bringing a dazzling motoryacht, the 70-foot Sunreef Power Sea Bass for her American premiere. This is the first powercat from the well-known European sailing catamaran builder. Built as a charter yacht, it has four double cabins at main deck level with ensuite baths stepped down into the hulls. There are three living areas on maindeck including one on the raised pilothouse. After the show, Sea Bass will be available for charters in the Bahamas via Sunreef Yacht Charter. Yacht & Brokerage Show.

World Cat has a brand new 32-foot center console about to roll out of its Tarboro, North Carolina, plant. The 320CC has the beam, stability and ride of the 330TE combined with the styling and family seating of the 290CC. The boat is built using resin infusion to reduce weight to 9,100 lbs. with twin 300-hp outboards. Fishermen will appreciate a 40 percent increase in cockpit depth, the 1,300 quarts of fishbox space, 12 rod holders, and 45-gallon livewell. And when you’re not fishing, you’ll enjoy seating for six adults upfront. Convention Center.

Viking Yachts is going all out to make a splash and will showcase 15 sportfishing models from 46 to 82 feet, but the big attraction will no doubt be the debut of the 76 Enclosed Bridge Convertible. Powered by MTU 16V2000 M93 engines generating 2,400-hp, it posts a top end approaching 40 knots. This one sports five staterooms and an interesting asymmetrical main deck layout condusive to entertaining. Viking Sport Cruisers will display six models including the gorgeous 70 motoryacht and and recently introduced, sleek V58. Yacht & Brokerage Show.
Walker Bay Boats is making waves with the Generation 390, a RIB sportboat with so many features it might become your main boat. The manufacturer is billing this boat and its sister 430 as luxury RIBs and they include teak details, an hydraulic hatch over the ample stern stowage compartment and wraparound bow seating. Convention Center.

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