The Palm Beach International Boat Show, held across five days instead of its usual three, attracted more than 55,000 attendees viewing 1,000 boats and engaging with 600 exhibitors. Held from March 19-23, 2025, there were important yachts and major announcements throughout the show, adding to the $1.05+ billion economic impact to Palm Beach and the tri-county area.
Palm Beach is the sweet spot of boat shows. Perfect weather and an influx of wealth to the Palm Beach area drew a qualified audience. Informa, the show producer, arranged a compact layout featuring more yachts measuring 25+ meters than either Ft. Lauderdale or Monaco, with over 200 on display. This year’s show coincided with the Palm Beach Modern +
Contemporary Art Fair with a VIP Preview on Thursday, March 19, at the convention center. The casual, upscale Flagler Drive marina show location served as a platform for many important announcements from builders, charter agencies, and marine groups.
Baglietto Daybreak World Premiere
On a tour of the 50-meter Baglietto T52 with CCO Fabio Ermetti and interior designer Stefano Vafiades, Daybreak showed why this semi-custom platform sold nine hulls prior to the completion of the first hull.
The fourth hull in the series, Daybreak made its global debut here, showing a soft contemporary version of art deco design with sumptuous materials including marble, onyx, teak, eucalyptus, Tanginika, and ziricote.
With six staterooms for 12 guests, Daybreak feels much larger than most sub-500 GT yachts due to strategic design choices, expansive windows, and high ceilings. Less becomes more, embracing a huge swim platform, expansive sun deck, Jacuzzi pool, helideck, a clutch of outdoor dining and gathering areas, and open space interiors.
Ermetti emphasized that Baglietto, a boutique yard delivering six or seven yachts in any given year, uses a select group of proven subcontractors, ensuring high quality and meticulous attention to detail.
Sanlorenzo Announcements Include Nautor Swan and Edmiston Partnership
Executive Chairman of Sanlorenzo Massimo Perotti began a press conference by underscoring Sanlorenzo Group’s success with the doubling of revenue in just five years. Perotti reminded the audience that in 2024, Sanlorenzo acquired Simpson Marine Asia and Nautor Swan, in addition to building an 11-meter, 50-knot foiling chase boat for American Magic in The America’s Cup, still managing to post €930 million in revenue for 2024.
Perotti then turned to Sanlorenzo’s acquisition of Nautor Swan, announcing a new commercial partnership between Swan and Edmiston. Swan will be expanding their line to include larger boats from 40 to 70 meters using an aluminum alloy. Swan CEO Giovanni Pomati added that Antonio Santella from Sanlorenzo’s superyacht division would bring experience to Swan as they develop a new product and a new division, using proven Italian technology and materials promoted through a new Edmiston hub in Newport. Beginning with a 42-meter model, the new designs are expected to hit the water in 2028.
Bruce Brackenhoff, Edmiston CEO, said he is looking forward to working with Jaime Edmiston on the new designs, adding that he was “positive we can do well with this new product built in this kind of place with this kind of people.”
Burgess Breakfast on Fox
Jonathan Beckett, Chief Executive and Managing Partner of Burgess, stated that charters were up 20%, along with robust sales, and that the US market had increased from 35% to about 55% and is expected to rise to 65%. Beckett also noted, “Bigger is better,” continuing that bigger boats are in demand at the moment.
Burgess broker Ian Sherwood introduced the 75-meter Pendennis yacht Fox as “the most fun boat at the show.” Expanding on the capabilities of Fox, Sherwood explained it has big boat capabilities in a small boat, with expansive windows, lots of headroom, and a huge, explorer-style aft deck.
On board Fox, Sherwood stated that while “the star is the destination,” with a DJ station and a pair of 2.5-ton cranes capable of moving tenders, subs, or sailboats, Fox is a versatile boat with broad appeal, and is the perfect yacht for an active family, a research group, or an adventure group.
Benetti Project Life
Benetti’s 85-meter Project Life custom yacht, penned by Espen Øino, complemented by interiors from François Zuretti, was the focus of a presentation by Sales Director Daniela Petrozzi and President of Azimut Benetti Americas Federico Ferrante. Petrozzi stated that 32% of their business was from the Americas, 33% was European, and 33% was from MEA and APAC, with 75% of total sales accomplished through brokers, up 12% over 2024.
Ferrante introduced the project as a “celebration of life,” adding that nothing has more value than time, and Benetti wanted to ensure this yacht was worthy. The yacht has a 112-square-meter salon, a 98-square-meter owner’s suite, a bevy of full-height windows, and abundant connection to the sea.
Farouk Nefzi Talks Feadship’s Roadmap to Zero
Reminding that “there are yachts, and there are Feadships,” Chief Marketing Officer Farouk Nefzi cited Feadship’s leadership in superyacht sustainability. From teak alternatives and alternative fuels to laminate composites and responsible sourcing, Feadship sets the bar high as they continue on their Roadmap to Zero, aiming to build a carbon neutral superyacht by 2030.
At the show, several Feadships were featured by brokerages, and two yachts were featured under the Feadship Resale program, the 51-meter Double Haven and the 57.60-meter W. Nefzi also stressed the importance of the yachting industry’s economic impacts, both direct and indirect, worldwide, employing a wide range of people and talents.
Additional News
To make the client experience even smoother, Denison announced partnerships with Northern Jet, allowing guests to fly seamlessly to their chartered yacht, hinting that they would like to take the step a little further by adding luxury car service to complete itineraries. They have also formed partnerships with Ocean King and Filippetti Yachts.
In addition to Daybreak, Tankoa debuted the 58-meter Diamond Binta, and Benetti the 61-meter Bravissima. The 85-meter Silver Yachts explorer Bold was the largest at the show, with the 78-meter Abeking & Rasmussen Amaryllis of similar size, but very different in style.
Next year’s show is scheduled for March 25-29, 2026, at its established location along Flagler Drive, directly across the water from Palm Beach Island.
