Fort Lauderdale the “Yachting Capital of the World” hosted this last weekend the 63rd annual Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, which is considered the largest in-water boat show in the world with miles of docks in South Florida.
Every year, the show exhibits a vast array of the industry’s latest boats and yachts of all sizes, worldwide debuts, plus a bunch of marine products and accessories to enhance the nautical lifestyle.
The Fort Lauderdale Boat Show is considered the largest boat show on water on earth because it features over 1,500 yachts and boats across seven locations. The event in 2021 contributed an incredible $1.79 billion to Florida’s economy.
It is also the largest event because tens of thousands of people attend the five-day event.
The boat show is in the business of recreation
On the show, I came to find out that boating is the business of recreation. Boats offer their owners and operators a great way to relax and spend a good time with family and friends.
When you live near the ocean, a river or a lake, there is a silent invitation to get in the water and it is human nature to want to be outside. In addition to the fresh air and sunshine, being out in the ocean is generally emotionally and mentally uplifting.
Now, there are those that made boating into a business, and they can make a lot of money from it.
This recreation activity is not cheap. From acquiring the vessel itself, and extra equipment, to the fuel, to the transportation to the boat ramp and storage, all that is necessary for you to keep and take advantage of the benefits of boating.
So companies provide the best there is to those interested. They sell all directly related needs, but also indirect needs like boating insurance. They sell the dress code, from decorative shirts to sun protective long sleeve shirts.
And equipment abound. I saw dock floats, boat lifts to get the boats out of the water after use, stabilization equipments, rub rails, engines, propellers, ice makers for larger boats, fuel management software, light equipment, etc…
So let me tell you about the coolest things the business industry offers but before I gotta let you know that the best way to get to the show is by taking the water taxi and on them that’s how you understand the industry works.
The water taxi for example is ran by captains that run the boat in New York as well. They are industry insiders and know how to entertain folks. As a tourist destination, they tell stores of the owners and previous owners of the mansions on the river, all to amaze tourists and make the river cruise even more fun.
The Superyacht Village
The Superyacht Village returned to the ‘Venice of America’ as an exclusive marina featuring the most awe-inspiring watercrafts at the show. Guests could window-shop aboard world-famous vessels or meet with famed yacht builders to discuss their next excursions on the sea.
Among the superyachts on display at Superyacht Village includes the long-awaited FLIBS 2022 U.S. debut of the Mangusta Oceano 50 with a length of over 163 feet, she can accommodate up to 12 guests in five staterooms and 11 crew members.
But the most jaw dropping yacht on the show was without a doubt the Aviva, the 98-meter length motor yacht. She is the fourth yacht named Aviva built for Bahamas-based British businessman Joe Lewis and replaces the 68m Aviva (III). Like her predecessor, Aviva was designed by Reymond Langton, and built by Lemwerder-based German builder Abeking & Rasmussen.
Motorized home on the water
Now, talking about visionary offers, this houseboat idea was to make a boat as habitable as possible and make sure that it complied with all boating regulations.
The Navisyo Home is a revolutionary, eco-friendly luxurious motorized home on the water. It is the most affordable 2 bedroom motorized water home one can own in North America. You can move on it through canals, rivers, off the coast, and on lakes, while your family barbecues on the top deck.
The Navis V.08 model is a premium quality motorized home boat, with a sleek and sophisticated modern build – exclusively handcrafted by our exclusive avant-garde manufacturer and partner. These modern and stylish self-catering units, available in 2 or (Q3 2024) 3 bedroom configurations, can comfortably accommodate up to 4-6 adults and are designed to promote fast and efficient housekeeping and rental turnovers, unlike anything on the market.
The Majesty Yatch 120 hits the US market
Gulf Craft’s Majesty 120 is a magnificent tri-deck superyacht featuring the naval architecture and exterior design of Gulf Craft’s in-house design studio and the interior design by award-winning Italian design firm, Cristiano Gatto.
Tinted glass, including an ornamental glass railing on the side walls offer an unparalleled enjoyment of life asea with panoramic views and abundant natural light.
The Majesty 120 was designed to satisfy the owner’s preferences for privacy and entertaining luxury and comfort. Her well-designed deck layouts boast 30% more outdoor entertainment areas than comparably sized yachts, furnished for dining, lounging, enjoying cocktails, and features an enticing jacuzzi on the sun deck.
Up to ten guests can be accommodated in five luxuriously appointed private cabins belowdecks.
Boat builders from around the world trying to enter the main market
The United States with its large economy attracts all types of industries, and boating is definitely one of them.
One of these manufacturing markets that one would not imagine offer such a large industry is Brazil. Brazil is home to at least a dozen international manufacturers famous in the US: Shaefer boats, Flexboat, etc… and a new brand entering the US market at the show was NXBoats.
With its shipyard located in the northeast of Brazil, NX Boats has a complete plant that is a reference in vessel construction. A unique structure guarantees an exceptional level of quality in joinery, upholstery, electrical, hydraulic, mechanical and locksmith items.
This entire structure allows NX BOATS to offer their customers high end boats with beautiful design and attention to detail and we boarded one of them at the show.
Here we have the NX 280, a sporty yacht with HARD ROOF, the NX280 SPORT COUPE attracts eyes wherever it goes. The typical robustness of the NX models, the premium finish and comfort are the elements that characterize, at first glance, the unique performance of the model.
Electric is the future of making money in the marine industry
Imagine going out boating without having to worry about gas prices. Yes, that is possible now, with Vision Marine Technologies from Quebec, Canada.
I love this recycled boat. THis boat is all built from recycled plastic! Now check out this electric “pontoon style” boat great for offering charter trips on your local lake.
And at only 49 thousand dollars!
We also checked out small RIBs, which is my boat of choice as a starter boater.
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