The iconic, 2021 edition of the Ft. Lauderdale International Boat Show proved its value, particularly in light of recent challenges to events, attendance, and sales throughout its 62nd run, from October 27th through the 31st. Closing on an upbeat note, trending in the right direction, the smiles were plentiful, and the results were positive.
According to Andrew Doole, President of U. S. boat shows at Informa Markets, “The Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show was a resounding success, welcoming thousands of visitors and featuring more than 700 boats from both global and local manufacturers.”
Commercial Director for Feadship America Ted McCumber summed it up well, noting that “It was by far the happiest boat show in years. So nice to return to normal.”
Opening day events held at the Superyacht Village were attended by a festive crowd, from the ribbon-cutting to celebrate the show’s opening to the evening reception welcoming guests amid beautifully-lit yachts. The mood was buoyant, and buyers were enthusiastic.
The ISS Celebrates Its 30-Year Anniversary, Introducing LÉlite de la Société
On a beautiful Florida evening, the stage was set on the outdoor dining patio at the Lauderdale Yacht Club as the International Superyacht Society prepared to honor those in the industry with the most design wins over the past 30 years. Introducing L Élite de la Société, the ISS hosted dinner, drinks, and socializing for 200 industry professionals and guests prior to bestowing titles and awarding trophies.
After a buffet dinner and a lively cocktail hour, the group of 200 guests settled to hear the results. Netherlands-based Feadship was awarded the Best in Power with 18 wins for 14 vessels. Royal Huisman was bestowed the Best in Sail award, with 21 wins attributed to 13 vessels. Dubois Naval Architects took the honors for Best Naval Architecture, as well as a posthumous award to Ed Dubois for leadership. The Best in Interior Design went to RWD’s 16 wins, earning five of those awards in Best Interior Designer. The sold-out event started the show with a nice balance of business and pleasure.
Thursday Dock Walk
After a brisk walk to Bahia Mar to pick up show passes, we made our way to the water taxi to get from the Bahia Mar docks to the Superyacht Village. The taxis are a convenient way to shuttle show guests to and from all four of the show locations. As we passed under the 17th Street Bridge, the superyacht lineup came into view. Absent some of the regular European exhibitors due to Covid-19 travel restrictions, there was a smaller collection of yachts on display, but still a nice array.
We toured Silver Yachts’ 85-meter/280 ft explorer/adventure yacht BOLD, finding much to like wrapped in its no-nonsense, industrial-strength exterior. Like most in her niche, she sports a wide-open stern deck adorned with a very capable crane, helicopter pad with night lighting, and beach club kitted out with diving gear, loungers, and day head. This Espen Øino designed vessel also displays a Vain Interiors design teppanyaki barbecue, outdoor cinema, 8-person Jacuzzi, convertible winter garden, and dual-duty space that serves as both a helicopter hangar or nightclub. When the yacht is en route to the far corners of the globe or experiencing rough seas, the helicopter can safely stow in the space. When the seas are calm, the helicopter can move out onto the pad, and the spacious hangar becomes an ample space for entertaining. Available for charter, BOLD offers 12 guests in 8 cabins the chance to explore a 5,500 nautical mile range, with a wealth of sea toys and on-board luxuries.
Looking down from the sun deck, we could see the beautiful 183-foot Perini Navi sailing yacht Zenji docked nearby, looking as gorgeous today as she was when first delivered in 2004. A Ron Holland design, this classic sailing yacht is up for sale, featuring a jacuzzi and a chic cockpit equally at home hosting cocktails or a respite between races. Comfortable and fast, with space for 14 guests in 6 cabins served by 11 crew in 6 cabins, Zenji’s thoughtful design can be handled under sail by one person.
The Ferretti Group presented 12 yachts, four of which were premieres for the American market. Always stylish and sporty, the Riva 88-foot Folgore displayed beautiful craftsmanship and luxurious features, along with the brand’s signature mahogany inlays and steel accents. The Pershing 6X captured lots of long looks, with an aerodynamic profile trimmed out in large glazed areas, and boasting a top speed of 48 knots. The 780 flybridge offered safety and seaworthiness, with a choice of classic or contemporary interiors.
The star of the Ferretti lineup was the flagship 1000, also offering the classic or contemporary options, plus carbon fibre components and advanced tech amid posh interiors. Ferretti Group CEO Alberto Galassi gave a nod to the exclusive new dealer in the Americas, Allied Marine, in an enthusiastic presentation of successes in both Europe and the Americas. Extraordinary “Made in Italy” hospitality throughout Ferretti’s spaces at the show complemented the brand with exquisite catering, quality Champagne, divine Dolce & Gabbana uniforms for staff, and beautiful Poltrona Frau and Studio Kaza furnishings in the booth spaces.
Continuing to impress with the “Made in Italy” theme, Azimut-Benetti USA brought the Motopanfilo 37-meter, the Oasis 40-meter Rebeca, and the 47-meter custom yacht Bacchanal, sporting posh brands like Minotti, Loro Piana, Flexform, Giorgetti, Poltrana Frau, and Exteta. The first two, built with fiberglass, made their US debut at Ft. Lauderdale, while the Bacchanal, with its steel hull and aluminum superstructure, made her first boat show appearance. The Azimut Grande Trideck and Verve 42 made American debut appearances, proving popular with buyers with strong sales numbers.
Feadship Friday
An exclusive press breakfast at Feadship’s Ft. Lauderdale waterfront headquarters welcomed several journalists to a scrumptious array of fruits and pastries, accompanying a simple, informative presentation catching us all up on the latest at the shipyard.
Farouk Nefzi, Marketing and Brand Director for Feadship, offered insights about the changing face of yachting. He expressed the transition of wealth from parents to children that will move more than $15 trillion to the next generation of yacht buyers.
Farouk described a younger, more active, digital-native customer looking for experiences and connections to the outdoors. These Millennial buyers will want a yacht full of toys to fuel adventure, along with smaller environmental footprints and greener industry standards overall. Ensuring Feadship is ready to embrace this audience, hybrid propulsion systems, alternative materials, and efficient operations are likely to be important features for new designs emerging from Feadship. When asked about cryptocurrency in transactions, Farouk noted that Feadship does not even work in US dollars, and that crypto will have to prove itself further before being adopted as a viable transaction option. Illustrating the ways that Feadship is embracing ideas that appeal to those younger buyers, Farouk highlighted a recent Feadship video featuring DJ Fedde Le Grand at the Makkum shipyard, spinning an exclusive set, soundWaves by Feadship.
After the breakfast, Farouk invited us to board the tender docked on the intercoastal, taking us to view Feadship’s classic yacht, Boardwalk. At 77m/252’7” in length, with a 12.20m/40’4” beam, her presence was a magnificent one. Tracing a long, slim line for a yacht of this size, Boardwalk’s exterior exuded an understated elegance. Her interiors were chic and comfortable. Designed by Feadship’s in-house Studio de Voogt, the yacht is aesthetically pleasing, technically advanced, and truly a hospitality dream. It even has a show kitchen adjacent to the main galley to host tasting dinners starring great chefs, complete with an impressive custom wine cellar. Gorgeous Hodgden tenders, a glorious upper deck pool, a mother-of-pearl tiled massage room, helipad, and fighting chairs for fishing are just a few of the sumptuous perks on board this inviting yacht. She was designed to entertain, and without a doubt, was the star of the show.
Rolls Royce on Display
Saturday shifted focus from yachts to cars. Hopping a tender supplied by Holman Motors to head over Holman Mansion, we reviewed two auto events and the cars we most wanted to see. A beautiful collection of fine automobiles on display, the main event was the new Rolls Royce Black Badge Ghost. Some might say it was an appropriate focus for Halloween weekend, but there was nothing seven remotely spooky about this magnificent car. Posh power and high tech, with owner conveniences above and beyond what one might ask for, the Black Badge Ghost is the model aimed at a younger, more engaged driver.
All-wheel drive and all-wheel steer, the Black Badge Ghost is a dream to pilot and a quiet ride, but not too quiet. Rolls Royce kept a little of the noise to remind owners of the exceptional power under the bonnet. The striking details, from the carbon alloy wheels and painted calipers with four color choices, to the illuminated fascia and starlit display on the headliner, complete with shooting stars, ensure the Black Badge symbol of infinity is well represented.
Passengers will love the Champagne flutes and bottle-sized refrigerator tucked in between the back seats, as well as monitors and tray tables. Automatically opening and closing doors at the touch of a button introduce the effortless ride inside. Even on rainy days, Rolls Royce wants to pamper owners with a special umbrella compartment in the door well. Push on the top of the handle and out pops stylish protection for any storm. Accompanying the Ghost at the mansion, Holman Motors exhibited supercars from Lamborghini, Aston Martin, Bentley, and Bugatti.
In addition to the cars at Holman Mansion, the Las Olas Garage was the venue for the Ft. Lauderdale Concours. Up on the rooftop of the structure, the Black Badge Ghost made an appearance, joined by a 1971 Lamborghini Miura SV, a 1963 Maserati 3500 GTi, a 1950 Aston Martin DB2, and a new Lotus Emira, among others, while guests were treated to cocktails, canapes and a terrific view of the surrounding city, intercoastal, and ocean.
Overall Impressions
Busy, happy, and connected, the show offered serious buyers the opportunity to see many new yachts, toys, and accessories in person. The Ft. Lauderdale Convention Center’s renovated exhibition hall was quite nice, and the Windward VIP Club experience a divine intervention in the middle of busy days walking the docks. The water taxis were very busy throughout the show, boarding 98,000 passengers, running a little later schedule in the day this year, which proved helpful in managing evening traffic.
This year’s show found itself starring in an hour-long television broadcast on NBC Sports Special, which aired on Sunday evening. The Best of Show awarded to Ocean Alexander’s 117-foot 35R was one of the many FLIBS highlights.
Phil Purcell, President and CEO of the Marine Industries Association of South Florida noted, “The demand for boating products is at an all-time high,” adding, “We are already looking forward to next year’s show, which is set to continue supporting our local marine economy and setting the bar for boating exhibitions across the world.”
If you missed this return to a normal show, it might be smart to plan ahead for next year. Reserve the dates in October, from the 26th through October 30th, 2022, and look forward to even further improvements as Informa continues to deliver a good show.
