Day 2 and 3: 2025 Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show (FLIBS)

FLIBS 2025 Day 2 and 3
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Day 2 and 3 didn't garner much news on the larger end of the offering spectrum but there were quite a few premieres and world debuts for smaller vessels. Additionally, there were some product revelations and teasers too. This article is a compilation of some of those announcements and premieres. One of the more significant smaller yachts making its debut was the Palm Beach 85. Cruisers used the FLIBS to launch their new 38 VTR Adventure Style Yacht. Valhalla 55 Sport Yacht from Viking was also introduced. Axopar and BRABUS Marine are back to the U.S and displaying several including the BRABUS Shadow 1500 XC Cross Cabin Phantom Grey. Volvo Penta was on hand to speak to the marine press about their products and their place onboard larger yachts. Saxdor unveiled their 400 GTS model to the FLIBS attendees.

The Palm Beach 85 is now officially the yard's largest yacht. It is their first yacht above 24-meters (74-feet) whereas previously thier largest build would have been the PB70. So the PB85 is a big deal for Palm Beach Yachts. Bringing it to the 'world's largest in-water boat show' is certainly going to get a few more eyeballs on it. The 27.5-meter yacht is no slouch either having the ability to make 26-knots at the top end. Running at 21-knots will increase the range to approximately 700 nautical miles. There is a three cabin layout but the yard suggests there is an option for up to 4 cabins on this model if required.

Cruisers Yachts is at the show with the new 38 VTR Adventure. The model is coming in a variety of layouts based on what features the customer tacks on. There is the Base Model, followed by one with an Aft Bench. In the place of the aft bench customers can put a large sun pad with storage beneath. There is provision for the option of an Aft Cabin on this model too although the cabin being forward in the bow is the standard position. There are 7 colors for the hull of the vessel (full white, full black, kingston grey, full baltic blue, white bottom and black hull sides, white bottom and kingston grey hull sides and white bottom with baltic blue hull sides). The vessels LOA with outboard up is 41.11-feet with a beam if 11.10-feet and a draft of 36-inches with the engines in the water. Dry, the craft weighs just over 15,000 lbs.

The Valhalla 55 Sport Yacht has turned heads with its design. The 55 SY, as the yard calls it, has a different purpose the yard suggested. It is intended to launch Valhalla Boatworks into new territory with a yacht that blends the speed and efficiency of a stepped-hull center console with the luxury and comfort of a Viking sportfisher. It’s built for owners who want versatility, i.e offshore performance with cruising amenities that make long days and weekends on the water just as rewarding. The 55 Sport Yacht has been seen in public before having been displayed at the Newport International Boat Show in mid-September.

Axopar and BRABUS Marine are back at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show for 2025 and they have been eager to show the world what they have been working on. One of the standout collaborations is for the BRABUS Shadow 1500 XC Cross Cabin Phantom Grey. This particular model made its public debut in France at this year's Cannes Yachting Festival back in September. At the back there is blistering performance with 1,500 horsepower in the form of triple Mercury Racing V8s. It is also apparent that many of the automotive trinkets that make their way into many of the vehicles BRABUS does is creeping its way into these Axopar boats. Whether it is the so-called 'Ice' upholstery or the carbon fiber accentuations BRABUS continues to customize.

Volvo Penta president Hanna Ljungqvist spoke to the marine media about the Volvo Penta's IPS professional products. However, that is not the highlight, it is that their products are being fitted into larger and larger yachts which uses less space and usually does not require a full-sized engine room. Some of the bigger yachts Volvo Penta IPS are being installed in are from brands like Sanlorenzo and Wally. Case in point is the Wally Why200 that is powered via four Volvo Penta IPS1350s giving the boat around 4,000 horse power. She also talked about the importance of sustainability and continued innovation.

Saxdor has been iterating many of their models for a few years and this time they have the 400 GTS at the 2025 FLIBS. It represents the U.S debut for the 400 GTS however, it is not the only boat Saxdor has at the show. In fact the yard has the 400 GTO, 400 GTC, 340 GTWA,320 GTO and 320 GTC all at FG Dock, Slips 15–25. The Saxdor 400 GTS interior and upholstery has different colour options inclusive of 'Marble', 'Florida blue', 'Nougat', 'Cognac Shot' and 'Honey'.

For more information:

Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show
801 Seabreeze Blvd,
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316,
United States

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