The Miami International Boat Show and the Yacht & Brokerage Show offer an unparalleled display for buyers of new boats and marine gear.
From Feb. 14–18 on the Miami Beach docks, more than 500 boats will be on display alongside the latest propulsion systems, electronics, safety gear and on-board equipment. Even if you plan to spend every day at the show, Soundings recommends several standout models you shouldn’t miss. Below is a curated guide to the boats and trends to look for at the shows.
Our selections span skiffs, center and dual consoles, express cruisers, trawlers, convertibles and motoryachts. Many builders are introducing truly new designs rather than modest facelifts, so expect innovation in styling, layout and systems.
Center consoles
South Florida is ideal for evaluating open-center-console boats, whether your focus is fishing, water sports or social cruising. Notable center consoles at the show include the European-styled Sessa Key Largo 34, available with inboard or outboard power and accommodations for four, and its larger triple-outboard 36 sibling.
For a modern take on open-boat design, look for the Fjord Open 42, a broad, purposeful hull with a beam of more than 13 feet. Regulators will be represented by the 34 Center Console, plus the 34 SS and 28 models. Contender will show a 25-foot bay boat designed as a serious tender for anglers and the award-winning 30ST center console.
Intrepid’s 400 I/O Diesel, the Editors’ Choice winner for center consoles over 40 feet, will be on display alongside the innovative 327 Enclosed Console with power front and side windows. Scout Boats will show the 320 LXF and 350 LXF, continuing its run of well-conceived premium center consoles.
Smaller center consoles worth checking out include the Scout 195, a versatile boat powered by 115- or 150-hp Yamaha four-strokes, and the Marquesa 18 from Hell’s Bay, an upscale flats skiff. The Belzona 325 offers a fresh cockpit layout, while the Deep Impact 399CABIN and the Atlantis Verve Outboard—powered by triple 300-hp Mercury Verados—blend European styling with American power. The Yellowfin RHIB 40 stands out as a custom yacht tender with triple Verado outboards and spacious seating forward.
Dual consoles
Dual consoles are increasingly popular with boaters who want flexibility, seating and comfort for family outings and offshore runs. Smaller dual consoles are perfect for inland and coastal waters; larger 24-foot-plus models handle offshore conditions.
Bayliner’s value-oriented Element is a 16-foot dayboat that aims to attract new boaters, offered as a package with a 60-hp four-stroke and trailer for under $14,000. The lineup also includes the 210 DB and 215 DB deck-boat models and the 190 DB for buyers wanting a dayboat under 20 feet with a Mercury 115-hp engine.
Boston Whaler brings the 230 Vantage and 270 Vantage with Mercury Verado four-strokes; with a 300-hp Verado the 230 returns about 2.6 mpg at 34 mph. EdgeWater’s 280CX dual console packs abundant seating and a cabin with a galley and head, typically powered with twin 300-hp Yamahas.
Down East and Downeast-style yachts
Classic Down East lines and modern hull technology will be well represented. MJM Yachts blends lightweight construction and sterndrive or IPS propulsion in the 36z and 40z. Back Cove shows efficient, two-stateroom cruisers in its 37 model along with the 30 and 34.
Hunt’s deep-vee 44 has impressed editors with options for conventional diesel or pod propulsion and joystick control. Hinckley continues to expand with models such as the T34, a 48-footer and the Picnic Boat. Sabre’s 48 Salon Express—plus 38- and 42-foot models—are worth a look for buyers who prize classic styling and refined construction.
Long-distance cruisers and passagemakers
Improved propulsion efficiency and refined hulls extend cruising range, and several builders are showing capable long-distance cruisers. Beneteau’s Swift Trawler line (34, 44, 50) focuses on fuel economy with comfortable accommodations. Fleming’s 55 and 65 are part of a rolling development program that keeps evolving those bluewater designs.
Greenline combines innovative features and hybrid propulsion options in the 33. Garcia’s Trawler 54 and Nordic Tug 34 focus on efficiency and traditional seagoing profiles. Azimut’s Magellano 43 continues a line of efficient, comfortable cruisers derived from larger models.
Kadey-Krogen introduces the 44 AE (Advanced Ergonomics) following its successful 48 model, and the 52—an Editors’ Choice winner—will be present. Hampton’s long-range 680 and 700 models deliver efficient cruising with respectable speed. Grand Banks shows the Heritage 54 EU, a long-range cruiser based on its proven Aleutian hull, while Horizon, Outer Reef and Percheron present designs for serious bluewater travel, including a CDM Darwin 86 with an exceptionally large fuel capacity for extended passagemaking.
Express cruisers
Modern express cruisers combine performance and comfort. Mangusta’s 92 blends high-speed capability with on-board living space, while Prestige presents the 500S and its distinctive layouts. Cruisers’ 45 Cantius and Fairline’s Targa 62 Gran Turismo highlight flexible aft arrangements—tender garage or crew quarters—plus large sunpads and panoramic sunroofs.
Beneteau’s Gran Turismo 49 Fly uses Volvo Penta IPS for efficient performance and easy handling, and the Sessa C44 debuts in the U.S. with IPS power and an Americanized cockpit. Marquis’ 500 SC and 420 SC introduce Nuvolari-Lenard styling with IPS propulsion. Riva, Sea Ray, Maritimo, Cranchi, Riviera, Sealine and Regal all bring compelling express layouts that balance open-air living with enclosed comforts.
Convertibles and sportfishing boats
Miami is a premier venue for viewing the latest sportfishing convertibles. Rivieras equipped with Volvo IPS offer exceptional maneuverability from the flybridge, and Hatteras displays multiple GT convertibles (GT 63, GT 60, GT 54). Bertram’s 64 is joined by larger models, while Viking introduces new 62-foot variants, including an enclosed-bridge version. Cabo’s updated 40 Express adds a full mezzanine, and Davis Yachts shows 70- and 52-foot convertibles aimed squarely at serious anglers.
Motoryachts
Motoryachts at the show demonstrate a wide range of styles, propulsion choices and onboard amenities. Azimut’s 54 and 55S offer different power solutions—V-drive diesels and triple Volvo IPS pods—while Fairline presents its Squadron line, including the Squadron 65. Sessa’s Sport Fly 54 debuts in the U.S. with a flybridge galley and a three-stateroom layout, and Prestige brings the 620S, 500 Fly and 550 Fly.
Maritimo shows the M58 and M45 alongside other models. Carver’s 54 pilothouse and the sleek C34 flybridge yacht emphasize comfortable accommodations. Cranchi’s Fifty series and Horizon’s E54 and E88 feature advanced materials and technology such as low-E glass and dynamic positioning. Hatteras continues to refine larger motoryacht models, while Pershing, Riva, Pacific Mariner, Krogen Express, Galeon and Ocean Alexander present high-end offerings designed for performance, luxury and range.
From small dayboats and versatile dual consoles to long-range passagemakers and high-performance sport yachts, the Miami International Boat Show and Yacht & Brokerage Show are packed with new models worth evaluating. Use this guide to prioritize the vessels you want to inspect in person, and be sure to visit manufacturers’ displays along the docks and at the convention center for demonstrations of the latest marine technology and design trends.
Chris Landry also contributed to this story.
March 2013 issue