Four Engines, No Waiting
Lazzara debuted their new four-engined LSX92 at FLIBS, and it’s an example of out-of-box thinking. The master stateroom, for example, has an opening panel that folds out to become a waterside terrace for coffee in the morning.
With the transom folded down to become a launch pad for water toys, an oversized flat-screen television is visible inside the lazarette, so you can set up lounge chairs on the swim platform and watch the football game on the big screen. Face Dock 5
Looking Ahead
Sportfishing traditionalists visiting the newly debuted Bertram 540 convertible sportfisher will be surprised at several things, but most notably the fact that the 540 has forward windows. Most convertibles don’t have forward windows because they don’t have lower helm stations and so have no need to look forward. Besides, the windows let in sun in the tropics and they can be a concern in big seas. The 540 has a lower helm as an option so you can run out to the fishing grounds in air conditioned (or heated) comfort. It also has the galley aft, opening up a spacious living area in the saloon. Bahia Mar D-Dock
Two ‘Fer One
The new Leopard 47 Powercat makes the maximum use of its 24’ beam with four spacious private staterooms, each with private head and shower, plus an airy saloon with galley, bar and dining area. This is the same boat used by The Moorings for their power yacht bareboat charters throughout the world, and the 47 is now available from Mexico to the Caribbean and soon to Thailand. Whether you buy or charter, take a look. Bahia Mar G-Dock
Marina Hopping The World
IGY (International Global Yachting) is becoming the 600-pound gorilla when it comes to owning and/or managing ultralux marinas around the world. The company, which provides five-star service for megayachts, is on the fast track for growth, with properties opening in Croatia, Turkey and Greece, not to mention the nearby Turks & Caicos.
Smiling At Sunseeker
A little bird tells us that the grins all around the Sunseeker booth are the result of three sales in the last two days. Contracts were inked on a 30-meter, 34-meter, and 46-meter Sunseekers, and that same little bird says that there are several more deals about to close as well. When you stop by the Sunseeker booth, be sure to get a look at the two big black Sunseekers: they’re from Sunseeker Charters and will be available for charter in the Caribbean this winter, followed by the Med next summer. Bahia Mar Face Dock 2.
Fast At Rest
Even sitting at the dock, the NorTech Super 80 looks like it’s zooming along. This high-styled 80-footer has great looks, but it also walks the walk at more than 60mph! Sleek vents, swept back radar mast…this is one hot looking yacht in a deep, deep blue. Check it out. Bahia Mar H/I Dock.
Land Yachts
Need a break from all the yachts? Check out the shoreside display of exotic cars and vehicles at the western tip of the Swimming Hall of Fame. There you’ll find Ferraris and Maseratis and Rolls-Royces and Bentleys and some outrageously customized Jeeps and more. Don’t miss the huge Liberty Coach RV..it’s a land yacht!
Joy In Marlowville
Dave Marlow tipped us off that his crew at the Bahia Mar display on Dock F/G have already sold an 82-footer and a 53-footer, both popular sizes in the Marlow Yachts series of Explorer motoryachts. And his grin tells us that he expects two more sales to be completed today when serious clients come back with their checkbooks. Dave, who is a serious Porsche-holic, asked us to say that he did not wander over to inspect the new Porsche Carrera on display near his booth. Really. He didn’t. Honest.
Vicem—Made From The Real Stuff
Many visitors to the Vicem display think they do a great job with the woodwork….without realizing that the entire boat is wood! Built in Turkey from cold-molded mahogany, these boats are lighter, stronger and better riding than other materials. Cold-molded woods have been around since World War II, when the British built the legendary Mosquito fighter-bombers from cold-molded wood, earning them the title of Flying Splinters, a fond term because the planes had a reputation for taking incredible damage and surviving. Bahia Mar B/C Dock
Celebrity Spotted On Docks
Until you look at the size of his shoulders and the power in his arms, he looks like any other 23-year-old, but Garrett Weber-Gale was part of the Michael Phelps gold medal sweep at the Beijing Olympics where he won two gold medals for the medley and freestyle 100-meter relays. Besides loving the water, Garrett grew up around boats and was taking his time admiring a Nordhavn 72 on B-Dock.. Is there a Nordhavn in his future? “I’d love to go cruising, but I have things to do first”. Such as win the World Championships, for which he’s in training. Go, Garrett!!
Real Ships, Real People:
Taking a tour of the rugged Real Ships offshore expedition yacht on G-Dock, I was impressed by the high quality of the woodwork…in gorgeous teak…throughout the yacht. I mentioned this to the pretty blonde girl who was leading the tour and she smiled shyly and said, “Thank you”. Turns out that she’s not just another boatshow girl….she is also a highly skilled woodworker in the Real Ships Bayou La Batre shipyard in Alabama. In fact, she and her father made the stunning dining table for the Real Ships. Very pretty. The table, I mean.
MORE BUZZ...........
Ferretti sold two Rivaramas - one for 1 million and one for 1.6 million
SeaHawk Binoculars sold more on the first day of the show than they did all of last year's show
Sachs Group - their featured Showboat "Touch" has has a successful run of charter bookings at the show - more than they have at past shows
Christensen Yachts had a VERY successful party last evening. We have no details as we didn't go but I could ask for some if you need
- Allied and Ferretti are merging
