The 63rd Annual Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show
The 63rd Annual Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show (FLIBS) is expected to draw record exhibitors and attendees when it takes place October 26-30 across seven locations including the Bahia Mar Yachting Center and Broward County Convention Center. The show, owned by Marine Industries Association of South Florida and produced by Informa Markets, attracted more than 100,000 attendees last year, and promoters expect similar attendance this year for the world’s largest in-water boat show. Attendees are encouraged to park at the Convention Center, which has 3,000 parking spaces. Shuttle bus and water taxi services will take attendees to the other show locations: Bahia Mar, Las Olas Marina, Hall of Fame Marina, SuperYacht Village at Pier 66 South, Pier 66 Marina, and Hilton Fort Lauderdale Marina.
Some of the attractions organizers have planned for the five-day show include: Superyacht Village, featuring superyachts and exhibits; Windward VIP Club, an exclusive club with gourmet food and premium bar; Culinary experience, featuring 100 food concessions and satellite bars; The AquaZone by Nautical Ventures, freshwater pool with in-water demos; Marine and Electronics tent; educational seminars for adults, and a kids’ corner. A one-day general admission ticket is $39, a two-day general admission pass is $66, and the special Wednesday preview ticket is $60. The Windward VIP ticket is available for $300 and includes early entry. This year, FLIBS is offering military veterans and first responders free admission on Sunday, October 30th, with a valid picture ID. Here’s a pre-show glance at some of the new models that will be on display at the docks and the Convention Center.
Here’s a pre-show glance at some of the most exciting new boats!
The 61st Annual Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show
IT’S SHOWTIME!!! The Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show (FLIBS) is determined not to let a pandemic stand in the way of the 61st edition of the world’s largest in-water boat show.
Scheduled from October 28th to November 1st, organizers have new safety protocols in place, including contactless ticketing, mandatory face coverings, temperature checks at entry, all lines marked out in six-foot increments, and deep cleaning before, during, and after each day’s events. In addition, the main docks will be widened up to 30 feet with one-way pedestrian traffic flow implemented.
But not all builders are on board, so alongside our show preview, we’ve included the newest models to hit the water as well as the fall model debuts from builders who are showing their wares virtually or through semi-private showings.
Regardless, 1,300 boats and 900 exhibitors are expected in “the Venice of America” over seven locations hugging the Intracoastal Waterway, from the Convention Center south to the Las Olas Marina north. Bahia Mar remains the center of the action. The popular Windward VIP Club will be and indoor/outdoor arrangement with outside terraces on the main face dock at the Captain’s Lounge and Tower Building. A premium open bar, gourmet food, and concierge to book yacht tours will be on hand as always. For ticketing, parking, and hospitality packages, visit flibs.com.
Here’s a pre-show glance at some of the most exciting new boats!
What do you do with a line of yachts that have been in production for more than 19 years and has proven to be a success for just as long?
If you’re David Marlow, you re-sharpen your pencil, make improvements in some standard (and not-so-standard) places and reintroduce it to the masses. He has done just that with the new Marlow Yachts 70E Mk2.
It is said that beauty is only skin deep, but an in-depth look proves that beauty takes different forms and runs deep throughout this yacht.
Interior Space
Marlow’s initiative to add more interior space and utilize it without sacrificing exterior deck size is simple, yet ingenious. For example, the access staircase from the forward main deck to the lower accommodations was moved to the port side (typically found on the starboard reaches), which allows access from the lower deck to the flybridge to stay along one side without having to cross through the galley area.
The side build-outs behind the salon seating are narrower due to the adjustment of the intake/exhaust airflow from the engine room. Instead of vents running along the side of the house, adjacent within the salon walls, Marlow turned them 90 degrees to create vertical plenums and positioned them in the aft corners behind the curio cabinets. The move freed up space behind and under the salon furniture that increased the usable space and footprint within the salon without changing the dimensions.
Now, there’s more space to move about the salon, and one would never guess the vent piping is there. In addition, the exterior vent blades have been designed to maximize air input yet minimize rain and moisture intrusion. The salon is decked out with a starboard-side sofa, twin port-side chairs and a high-gloss teak coffee table with drawers built into the base.
The Galley
A gleaming and spacious kitchen will impress chefs and guests alike.
The pencil was surely sharpened a few times with the redesign of the country kitchen. Sure, it still contains an oversized dinette seating area and remarkable counter space, but it’s been flipped. Instead of a dinette/table forward next to the lower helm with the galley aft, the galley is now forward with the dinette placed behind it. Marlow’s bold thought process for this significant design, change is to give those tending to the meals and galley duties a panoramic view as they work.
A departure from so many yachts that have galleys midship to accommodate feeding from a central location, this update actually keeps the work area segregated from the other social places on board yet serves perfectly as its own socializing area thanks to the openness, voluminous counters, and center island. Everyone can pitch in at mealtime.
Under the windshield along the countertop to the left is a dual-basin ceramic sink, and a five-burner Schott Curan induction cooktop with pot guides is to the right; a Dacor convection oven is below. The U-shaped counter workspace design runs along the starboard side above four Sub-Zero fridge/freezer drawers. Additional fridge/freezer drawers are found port side and under the large walk-around center island, which also houses a Fisher & Paykel dishwasher. Depending on cruising style and destinations, there’s room for cold provisions as well as dry goods thanks to the cabinet and drawer storage.
Just aft on a raised platform is the U-shaped dinette settee with twin-post teak table. A commanding forward view is still offered without having to be situated at the front window. The galley is finished to match the rest of the interior: grain teak hardwood cabinetry with satin finish, teak and holly flooring, carpeting, and white ceiling panels. It’s not an afterthought workspace but an inviting area with full views and classy styling. The owner chooses the layout with this custom builder, and Marlow invites clients’ imaginative ideas.
Exterior Access
As with most Marlow yachts, there’s full exterior access, from the generous aft deck to the covered side decks and a Portuguese bridge and foredeck. Fully non-skid decks ensure safe footing, and high bulwarks and railings make for secure transiting. The generous aft deck offers transom seating, a large high-gloss teak table and room for additional chairs and is protected by the flybridge overhang. The spacious foredeck is large enough for a party to mingle or a few lounge chairs and is slightly crowned with holes in the aft corners for proper drainage. Access to the Lewmar windlasses, anchors and chain lockers is on a raised deck at the peak.
The Portuguese bridge is also redesigned. Instead of a center door to the foredeck with separate seating on either side, Marlow created two smaller doorways, port and starboard, that allow for a large center settee to be the focal point and with split fiberglass tables, the space is now a centered, open-air lounge and dining area.
Below-decks
Ample headroom and luxurious appointments are just a few of the features in the master suite.
Access to the staterooms is via the forward port-side curved staircase, with a roomy landing and hallway. The staircase incorporates storage cabinets with curved doors and is enhanced with teak paneling. There’s room underneath the staircase for a washer and dryer, and a large hatch in the hallway deck provides access to a lower machinery space where the hot water heater, pumps, filtration, plumbing, and other gear not required in the engine room are located.
An open space with plenty of light awaits in the main salon.
Finished in bright paint and with teak grate floor panels, the space also works well for dry storage. “Grand” describes the midships, full-beam master stateroom. A walk-around, center king berth, vanity/desk, more drawers and lockers than may ever be needed, flat-screen TV, and six large, rectangular portholes create a distinctive retreat. The ensuite private head has his/her sink basins and a well-sized shower stall with seat. A large mirror, opening portholes and glossy ceiling adds to the brightness. A VIP stateroom is nestled in the bow with a center island berth, overhead hatches, and ensuite head with shower stall. Two additional staterooms, one with side-by-side berths and the other with upper/lower bunks, complete the guest accommodations.
The Engine Room
Marlow has made some significant changes that may not seem obvious, but below deck and aft through a side deck staircase or via the transom door are the crew quarters and access to the engine room forward and lazarette aft. Marlow designed a dedicated mechanical room on the port side that houses the twin Cummins Onan 21.5 kVA generators. Complete with workbench, watertight door and tempered glass windows for visual inspections, it is a well-insulated and quiet space.
The lazarette allows access to the steering gear, twin Glendinning shore cable systems with custom Marlow-built metal guide channels that support cable movement, deck drain manifold, and more. Embedded arms that extend from the hull structure carry the large transom door aft a few inches, and hydraulic actuators tilt the door up for access between the lazarette and swim platform. It’s one solid, well-designed piece of machinery.
The stand-up engine room houses the fully accessible CAT C18 diesel engines. These powerplants give the 70E Mk2 an impressive ride and cut of speed as I experienced firsthand on my sea trial. Flexible drive couplings reduce any vibration, and Marlow’s Velocijet Strut Keels protect and support the shafts. Embedded between the fuel tanks is the “condo box,” as Marlow puts it, that houses the Seakeeper gyro. It’s forward of the engines on the centerline with a glass insert for viewing.
Marlow asserts the results are better with it positioned as close to center on both axes. It’s part of his current modus operandi: “Things work well; I want to make them work better.” To remove the Seakeeper, the ceiling of the box is the salon floor, and there’s a lifting block and slide in the salon ceiling to get it up from its base and out the aft doors. Now that’s some forethought.
Top it Off
Up close and personal.
The enclosed Command Bridge is fitted with twin helm seats, room for three multifunction displays and side space for charts, guides, etc. The observation seating aft offers an L-shaped settee and high-gloss teak table. A first for Marlow Yachts is the addition of a private captain’s cabin with head and shower and desk area. Out the aft door to the flybridge deck is another L-shaped settee with table and fridge and room to store a tender or other water toys on deck thanks to the sleek davit. With a sharp pencil, Marlow has redesigned a tried and true yacht and made it even better. The Marlow 70E Mk2 is the next generation graced with beauty that goes to down the bone.
The 59th Annual Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show
A new look will greet guests at the 59th Annual Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show (FLIBS) as they enter through a revamped entrance, more efficient security and a dedicated VIP and exhibitor gate.
“First impressions are crucial, which is why we are creating a professionally designed, dedicated show entrance with a thoughtful layout and other elements of convenience for guests and exhibitors,” says Andrew Doole, general manager of Informa U.S. Boat Show. “Wherever you are in the show, and whether you want to grab a cold drink, a snack or a gourmet meal, we want it to be easy and satisfying.”
One of the most noteworthy changes to the 2018 show, set to take place October 31 to November 4, is the redesign and repositioning of the main entrance several hundred yards to the north side of the Bahia Mar Hotel and Marina property along Seabreeze Boulevard just south of the International Swimming Hall of Fame and Marina.
Owned by the Marine Industries Association of South Florida (MIASF) and produced by Informa, FLIBS is recognized as the largest in-water boat show in the world. FLIBS spans more than three million square feet of exhibit space across seven waterfront locations that are connected by an intricate network of water and ground transportation services. The five-day show attracts approximately 110,000 attendees and 1,200 exhibitors representing 52 countries with more than 1,500 boats on display.
The show runs October 31 – November 4, 2018. Find more information at flibs.com.
Here’s a pre-show glance at some of the most exciting new boats from 50 builders that will be on display at the docks and the Convention Center, a roundup of the marine industry’s best for 2018-2019.
Cruisers Yachts launches two new models: Cruisers Yachts 46 Cantius and the Cruiser Yachts 338 Bow Rider. The 46 Cantius features a main deck with a large three-pane patio door, which allows for a large entertaining area. The galley situated aft complements the large L-shaped seating in the cockpit as well as the salon and dinette area and is just a few steps to the wet bar and barbeque on the transom.
The accommodations deck is highlighted by a midship, full-beam master with private head. The helm offers great panoramic visibility and controls the twin Volvo Penta IPS 600 engines with a top speed of 37 mph and a cruising range of 300 miles. The 338 Bow Rider is powered by twin Mercury 350 Verado engines and runs to a top speed of 57 mph and at 35 mph, she can cruise 310 miles.
The main deck is highlighted by a great cockpit area with ample seating and a wet bar. The aft seat converts to a sunbathing area with a chaise lounge, and the mid-cabin offers 6’2″ headroom with a full head, seating and sleeping areas.
