Skip to primary navigation Skip to content Skip to footer
Back to Blog

Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show | FLIBS 2022

FORT LAUDERDALE BOAT SHOW

Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show

Also known as FLIBS, took place on October 26-30 in the Yachting Capital of the World.

A good boat show combines the elements of an exhibition, a convention, and a little bit of a treasure hunt all in one event.

With the past two years seeing most major yachting events canceled or postponed, it looks like the yachting industry can look at the 2022 calendar and agree that it has been a success.

Starting in January, we had the most amazing and organized boat shows of all times. From Germany, Dubai, Singapore, Barcelona all the way to Miami, Palm Beach, and now Fort Lauderdale.

Just at the end of hurricane season, we were able to experience the largest in-water boat show and marine exhibition of all year.

Yes, we said it right. FORT LAUDERDALE INTERNATIONAL BOAT SHOW is considered the largest in-water boat show in the world.

This is one of the best opportunities for those who want to learn about the latest yachting trends, meet existing and new clients, and showcase all types of boats and services to a highly engaged audience.

The Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, also known as FLIBS, took place on October 26-30 in the Yachting Capital of the World. The 2022 edition marks 63 years of this show, which hosts more than 1,500 boats—along six miles of floating docks—1,200 exhibitors, and 110,000 visitors at seven locations around Fort Lauderdale.

THE EXHIBITION

The exhibitors included companies in all of the following areas of expertise and many more:

  • Boats
  • Docks Equipment
  • Engines
  • Gear
  • Marine accessories and electronics
  • Recreational and exotic vehicles
  • Services
  • Trailers
  • Water sports equipment

 

CHECK OUT OUR TOP 3 YACHT BRANDS

Those who attended FLIBS 2022 had a great opportunity to get close to incredible boats and yachts, and even take them for a test drive. They previewed the latest releases and rediscovered old classics.

Whether they wanted a catamaran, a center console or superyacht, there was something here for every enthusiast.

While there are literally hundreds, if not over a thousand yachts on display in 2022, they all have value, and provide a chance for people to check out their favorite models or explore new concepts.  We hand-selected a few of the most famed boats on display from the Fort Lauderdale International Boat show to highlight. Here, we’re going to take a look at some of the Fort Lauderdale Boat Show biggest and best.

We selected some of the best catamarans and motor yachts shows and exhibitions of FLIBS 2022.

 

#1 THE FERRETTI GROUP

The Ferretti Group is an Italian multinational shipbuilding company founded in 1968 by the two brothers Alessandro and Norberto Ferretti. They produced its first motorboat in 1971. In the 80’s the two brothers decided to specialize in the production of luxury motoryachts. Motivated by the needs for high tech synergy and greater international recognition, the company entered in 1989, into offshore racing. After the sudden death of Alessandro Ferretti in 1997 and many changes of ownership of the group Norberto Ferretti owned the Group’s equity.

Ferretti expanded through making numerous acquisitions, starting in 1998, all the way to 2008. Its products are sold under the brands:

Its products are sold under the brands:

  • Ferretti Yachts
  • Custom Line
  • Pershing
  • Itama
  • Riva
  • Mochi Craft and
  • CRN

Today, The Ferretti group is one of the world’s biggest boat builders and their models are growing in size and importance.  Their extraordinary fleet of boats definitely feature the best safety and comfort measures a boat can offer.

At the FL boat show, the Group presented sensational models that are making their entry on the American market and have already won over the public in Europe.

Here are some of the super yachts presented this year:

  • 78’9 Ferretti 780
  • 93’6 Riva 90
  • 93’6 Feretti 920
  • 102′ Ferretti R 102F
  • 107’9 Ferretti CL 106
  • 108’3 Ferretti CL Navetta 33

 

 

#2 AZIMUT YACHTS

Azimut Yacht is an Italian yacht-manufacturing company based in Viareggio, Italy. It was established in 1969 by Paolo Vitelli. Azimut offers the most extensive range of yachts in the world. This historical brand, based in Viareggio, had been building boats since 1873, and designed the concept of the mega yacht and it has been leading the way for over fifty years now.

You can definitely explore the different series and find a yacht that is suited to your lifestyle. The range goes from the smallest yachts at 34 feet (10m) in length up to their largest at 120 feet (36m).

Valued from $230,180 on the more economical boat models all the way up to $9,000,300.

Here are some of the Azimut Yachts featured in the Fort Lauderdale Boat Show:

  • 105′ Azimut 32 Meter Grande
  • 52’9 Azimut 50 FLY
  • 66’1 Azimut 66 Megellano
  • 70’1 Azimut S7
  • 77’6 Azimut 78 FLY

 

 

#3 LEOPARD CATAMARAN

What is a Catamaran?

A traditional sailboat is a monohull–in other words, it has only one hull centered around a heavy keel. A catamaran is balanced on two hulls, with the sails in the middle. It’s as simple as that. Depending on the size of the boat, the space separating the two hulls might be filled by a cockpit, a main cabin, and usually some netting (which can be a great place for relaxing in the sun).

 

Why do we love them?

Size and stability are the main factors. With two hulls and the space in between, there tends to be more room on a catamaran, both above and below decks. Vacationers chartering a boat love cats for this reason. There’s space for a lot of people and a lot of stuff. Additionally, the stability offered by having two hulls means that the boat doesn’t heel like a monohull–it stays pretty much level. This means the sailing experience is less tiring, as you aren’t battling gravity. Catamarans don’t need as much water underneath them, so you can sail in shallower places than a monohull, and in your anchorage at night you won’t roll around. There’s also a bit more privacy for those onboard, as the two hulls are completely separate from one another.

Our choices for the best cats on the show are the Leopard Powercats. But Leopard Catamarans don’t come cheap. If you are in the market for a new catamaran, then a Leopard will set you back anything from $569,000 for their smaller 42-foot.

The two boats on the Fort Lauderdale on display were:

  • 46’4 Leopard 46
  • 53’1 Leopard 53 Powercat

 

THE BOAT SHOW

The Fort Lauderdale Boat Show presented a variety of dock equipment, water sport equipment, engine, services and much more, but the mega yachts were obviously the highlight of the show.

Yacht companies and industry insiders got a chance to rub shoulders with their customers directly at the show. There’s nothing like a shared love of boats to bring like-minded people together. So, it’s no wonder thousands of boat lovers attend boat shows and exhibitions every year.

Last year the show attracted over 100,000 attendees,  1,000 exhibitors representing 52 countries with more than 1,300 boats on display.

We are excited to find out about this years’ results.

Previous Post Next Post