Aussies to headline at 2019 Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show

The largest boat show on the US calendar kicks off this week with more than 1200 exhibitors showing more than 1500 boats, many of which are either new to the world or the US market.

The event will mark the world debut of Riviera’s more luxurious Belize 66 in its daybridge configuration, following on from the sedan version revealed at last year’s Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show.

The single-level sedan version will lie alongside the new daybridge version at the show.

Joining the Belize models at the show will be the Riviera 395 SUV and Riviera 575 SUV, the Riviera 39 Open and Riviera 45 Open flybridge models, and the flagship Riviera 72 Sports Motor Yacht.

Maritimo, meanwhile, will have the US debut of the Maritimo X50 that was seen in its tender garage layout for the first time at the 2019 Sydney International Boat Show.

Australia will be one of 52 countries showcasing their products at the show.

The largest yacht on display at Fort Lauderdale this year will be the 95-metre

This superyacht is built to accommodate 20 guests in 10 staterooms, and includes a 12-metre swimming pool built into the main deck, a helicopter landing pad and hangar on the foredeck, and a lavish fireplace on the upper deck.

Shadowing Madsummer will be the spectacular German-built

Excellence hit the water in May and features full-height windows enclosing the owner’s deck. Other comforts include a large swimming pool on the aft deck, a jacuzzi on the owner’s deck, and a large water-level tender garage.

Hargrave Custom Yachts, meanwhile, will show its largest yacht yet, a 57-metre six-stateroom steel and aluminium showpiece.

The Hargrave 186 features a 10-metre-plus beam and an 18-knot cruising speed combined with an almost 100,000-litre fuel capacity to feed the very latest in Caterpillar 3512 diesel engines, each producing anywhere up to 2000hp.

The 186 features a swimming pool and platform, a jacuzzi, a beach club, and “impressive” limousine tenders.

Fort Lauderdale will also introduce the Ocean Alexander R84 Open, the latest addition to the Taiwanese brand’s Revolution series of motor yachts.

The 25-metre Ocean Alexander 84R features a vertical bow to increase forward volume, and a full-beam master stateroom located amidships.

The saloon, meanwhile, features overtly large windows, while the aft beach club is also finished in a large glass panel that connects the motor yacht’s luxurious interior with the outdoors.

The show also introduces the Palm Beach 70, a new flagship model for the brand that replaces the Palm Beach 65.

The long-range cruiser features all the same classic lines as other Palm Beach models, the 70 will comfortably cruise at 24 knots and range more than 790nm in its Volvo Penta D13 shaft drive configuration.

Owners wanting a Palm Beach 70 with speed over range can opt for Volvo Penta IPS 1350s that deliver a 32-knot cruising lope.

British luxury motor yacht brand Princess Yachts will have a large on-water presence at Fort Lauderdale with a number of new models making their debut.

The smallest will be the Princess F45, a flybridge model built for families or yacht owners wanting to downsize. It features Volvo Penta IPS 600 performance that gives it a top speed of 31 knots.

The Princess V60 features a deep-vee hull, sharp cabin lines and an aft galley, while the Princess S66 Sportbridge is a replacement for the retiring S65, featuring a full-beam master suite and a 38-knot top speed.

Joining the V60 is the Princess V78, a larger member of the V series of motor yachts featuring even more interior and exterior living space. And because it wears the V badge, dynamics are key – the V78 will push along at up to 39 knots when asked.

Italian yacht maker Ferretti will mark the US debut of the Ferretti 720 fresh from its 2019 Cannes Yacht Festival debut.

Long and lean – the yacht measures 22 metres long and 5.7 metres wide – the 720 features plenty of weight-saving carbon-fibre construction and three living zones inside a four-cabin layout.

The US likes its sports fishing boats, and nowhere is that more apparent than at high-end US boat-maker Viking.

The highlight of traditionally styled offshore sports fishing boat maker Viking’s 2019 Fort Lauderdale Boat Show display will be the Viking 38 Open Billfish, the smallest model in the Open series.

The “open” refers to the flybridge configuration, which as the name infers leaves the console open to the elements.

Alongside the 38, the Viking 46 Billfish will also make its debut. Optimised for tournament fishing, below decks it’s also kitted out as a boat that the entire family can enjoy.

Centre console specialist Valhalla Boatworks – a subsidiary of Viking – plans on showing three new models at Fort Lauderdale: the Valhalla V-33, Valhalla V-37 and the Valhalla V-41.

Featuring stepped hulls and seriously powerful outboard engine rigs, the new Valhalla fishing boats come equipped with a raised transom live well, in-deck fish boxes, a sea chest live well system, flush-mounted rod holders, and tackle storage.

It wouldn’t be the Fort Lauderdale Boat Show if it didn’t also feature the world’s largest centre console boat.

That honour goes to the HCB Estrella, a 20-metre “mega console” quad- or quint-engined fishing boat that can carry more than 2500hp of outboard engine performance hanging off the transom.

Just how big is it? Up to five people can share the experience of helm seats, up to 10 can sit around the dining table, and up to five can sleep aboard.

Sadly, no top speed is quoted.

If the family is key, the Formula 380 Super Sport Crossover delivers. This 12-metre motor yacht looks like a bowrider up front, features a large, open saloon, overnight accommodation for up to four people, and a lifestyle-focused large swim deck out the rear.

You can order it with either inboard or outboard engines.

Cruiser Yachts is another US brand tapping into the recreational day boat market with the Cruiser 38GLS.

Measuring 12 metres long and with heaps of external freeboard, this outboard engine-powered overnighter features classic Targa-roof looks. Its party trick are bulwarks that fold down to create even more space at the transom.

If you’re looking for something different, the 48 Wallytender might be what you’re after.

This sharp-looking day cruiser is a collaboration between Italian yacht maker Ferretti and Monaco-based tender and sailing specialist Wally.

The 2019 Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show is held in Florida in the US from October 30 to November 3.