The must-see new yachts at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show 2017

There will be around 1,200 boats at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show 2017 — far too many to visit in five days. Kate Lardy picks out the best of the best...

One of the largest yachts on display at FLIBS 2017, Vanish was delivered by Feadship in May 2016, sporting exterior styling by Harrison Eidsgaard and De Voogt Naval Architects. Key features include a pair of superyacht helipads, situated fore and aft, as well as a globetrotting range of 5,200 nautical miles when cruising at 12 knots.

Length: 66.25 metres
Builder: Feadship
Exterior design: Harrison Eidsgaard / Feadship De Voogt Naval Architects
Interior design: Harrison Eidsgaard

Although she is hull number 11 in the ISA Sport 120 series, Clorinda is very much a different animal to her predecessors. This 36 metre fast cruiser is the first yacht to be launched since the Ancona-based yard was acquired by the Palumbo Group in August 2016. The new parent company brought in Enrico Gobbi Team For Design to further refine her styling. Notable tweaks include dark tinted glass inserts in the superstructure, a side-loading tender garage and a skylight in the master suite.

Length: 36.45 metres
Builder: ISA Yachts
Exterior design: Andrea Vallicelli / Enrico Gobbi Team For Design
Interior design: Cristiano Gatto

A 2016 launch for German yard Abeking & Rasmussen, 72 metre Cloudbreak looks set to steal the show at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show 2017. Currently offered for charter, this Espen Øino-designed yacht was built to take on the world, with a fully-certified helideck, ski room and truly impressive tender garage.

Length: 72.25 metres
Builder: Abeking & Rasmussen
Exterior design: Espen Øino
Interior design: Christian Liaigre

The M90 Panacera’s styling makes it an instantly recognisable member of Hatteras’ Motor Yacht family. The open-concept interior includes a new option: the builder’s first hydraulic superyacht balcony, and the atrium skylight first shown on the M75 is even bigger here, filling the interior with light. The M90 also introduces the HattCON ship management system, which integrates navigation, monitoring and automation functions into a simple touchscreen.

Length: 27.95 metres
Builder / exterior and interior design: Hatteras Yachts

Unveiled two years ago as Project Nova, Home is a ground-breaking vessel for Heesen, combining a fuel-efficient fast displacement hull with hybrid propulsion. Electric shaft motors silently push Home to nine knots without the main engines. With mains on, they act as generators, providing enough power for hotel loads. Styling is cutting edge, inspired by a beach villa and emphasising a close connection to the sea with large expanses of glass.

Length: 49.8 metres
Builder: Heesen
Exterior design: Omega Architects
Interior design: Cristiano Gatto

Outer Reef has found great demand for this 860 Deluxbridge Skylounge model, as long distance cruisers seem to really appreciate the climate controlled, all weather, protected helm. The configuration on HQ negates the need for a lower helm, which allows for an expanded galley. Accommodation also mimics superyachts, with four guest cabins and two crew cabins.

Length: 26.3 metres
Builder / exterior design: Outer Reef Yachts
Interior design: A La Mer

The newest Damen Yacht Support vessel, New Frontiers has the huge deck space and crane necessary to carry every conceivable tender and toy, but she has something new, too: guest accommodation. For the first time, Damen included an owner’s lounge and guest quarters for six on the main deck. The Dutch yard will also be exhibiting Axis, which was at FLIBS last year under her original name Fast & Furious and has since been refitted to add guest accommodation.

Length: 55.3 metres
Builder / exterior and interior design: Damen

The first five-cabin version of the model that was introduced in 2014, this hull shows the ultimate in flexible accommodation. It features a main deck master with mirror VIPs and twins below. Furthermore, the twin beds slide together to make queen-size berths. The enclosed upper saloon on the Ocean Alexander 100 Skylounge offers even more volume, giving a lot of room for yacht of this size.

Length: 30.53 metres
Builder: Ocean Alexander
Exterior and interior design: Evan K Marshall

British builder Pearl Yachts will unveil its new flagship yacht at this year’s Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show. Featuring a spacious flybridge, oversized windows, a full-beam master, a foredeck lounge and a PWC garage, the Pearl 80 is packed with big-boat amenities.

Length: 23.99 metres
Builder / exterior and interior design: Pearl Yachts

It’s not just the wave-piercing bow and displacement to planing hull that sets the Benetti Fast range apart. It’s also the innovative propulsion system developed by Rolls-Royce, featuring a steerable thruster — the Azipull Carbon 65. The third hull in the Fast 125 series, Skyler will shows off this technology at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, along with RWD’s ‘Air’ interior, one of the three styles available to owners.

Length: 38.1 metres
Builder: Benetti
Exterior design: Stefano Righini
Interior design: RWD