Lifestyle

The Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show Wraps Up

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fort lauderdale international boat show
Picture: Fort Lauderdale Worldwide Boat Present

The Fort Lauderdale Worldwide Boat Present (FLIBS) closed on Sunday (October 31) after a busy five-day run, with organisers reporting robust attendance and yacht exhibitors saying they’d extra critical patrons this yr.

The variety of superyachts on show this yr was down in comparison with earlier editions, in addition to a scarcity of European boating executives  — largely as a result of US-imposed journey ban on Europe.

CEO of Worldwide Yacht Firm, Stefanos Macrymichalos, talked about in an interview: “We noticed a a lot smaller present than in years previous. However I believe it was a a lot better occasion for these fascinated with buying or chartering yachts. We didn’t see individuals coming to the present for leisure functions.”

Nonetheless, there have been loads of scene-stealer superyachts such because the 251-foot Boardwalk, which is the biggest yacht within the present. Guests have been allowed to tour this tradition Feadship and in response to an govt, the yacht was seen by fairly numerous billionaires.

Macrymichalos stated that 2021 is anticipated to be a document yr for his constitution and brokerage agency, with a number of brokerage yachts in stock being offered and the variety of constitution weeks for its fleet going up 35 per cent this yr. “We’ve additionally seen quite a lot of charterers who now wish to purchase their very own yachts making transactions,” he stated. “It began in August 2020 and hasn’t stopped since.”

Fraser Yachts additionally quoted comparable will increase in brokerage gross sales and its constitution exercise went up by 58 per cent in 2020. “Final yr was one in all our greatest years ever — we greater than doubled gross sales over 2019,”  stated Michael Busacca, COO of Fraser Yachts, at a press convention.

ferretti group riva 88 folgore
Picture: Fort Lauderdale Worldwide Boat Present

“We noticed the largest development within the 79 to 115-foot phase, with gross sales up 80 per cent — and 40 per cent of these have been first-time patrons.”

Many yacht builders additionally used the FLIBS to debut yachts. Viking Yachts debuted its 63 Convertible, whereas sister firm Valhalla displayed its new 46 centre console.

Ocean Alexander’s 35R received Greatest in Present and attracted a couple of crowds eager to see the world premiere and in addition offered its second hull on the present. Ferretti Group additionally had 4 US debuts together with the Pershing 6X, Ferretti Yachts 1000, Ferretti Yachts 780 and Riva 88 Folgore.

pershing 6X
Picture: Ferretti Group

Different yacht builders additionally reported robust gross sales even earlier than the present. Federico Ferrante, president of Azimut-Benetti USA stated its new Verve 42 had 14 gross sales earlier than it even landed from Italy for its international FLIBS debut, whereas sister firm Benetti’s Oasis 34M, which has not been accomplished, has attracted 20 orders.

Italian builder Sanlorenzo, who hosted a world debut of its SL 106A and US premieres of its SL96A and Bluegame BGX70, stated it had doubled its gross sales within the US over the previous yr. Its chairman Massimo Perotti stated 50 per cent of its gross sales are to first-time patrons. He additionally famous there have been quite a lot of first-time patrons leaping into the enterprise.

A lot of the exhibitors at FLIBS agree that the frenzy for boats will proceed. 

“Yachts appear to be one of many most secure havens for individuals with wealth,” Macrymichalos stated. “However it’s not only for individuals with wealth — it’s extending throughout the board and there appears to be no indicators of a slowdown.”

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