FLIBS 2025 Preview
The 2025 Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show is where you’ll find hot new boats, cool new gear, and more.
The 2025 Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show is right around the corner, and FLIBS 2025 promises to be one of the best boat shows ever. The largest in-water boat show in the world, FLIBS covers almost 90 acres and three million feet of exhibit space across seven different locations. It’s expected to attract over 100,000 visitors and 1,000 exhibitors. The boat show starts on Wednesday, October 29, and runs through Sunday, November 2. Show-goers and boaters of all stripes will want to be on the lookout for these hot new introductions happening at the show.
Absolute Navetta 62 and 70 FLY
Absolute will be rolling out two U.S. premiers at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show this year. The Navetta 62 is an ultra-modern luxury cruiser with lots of glass, modular outdoor furniture, and a panoramic lounge flybridge. Belowdecks the cabins are optimized for privacy and peace. The 70 FLY also features panoramic views and has a huge bow socializing area with a triple-wide lounger, dinette, and settee. One unique feature is a six-panel sliding door which transforms the dining area from indoors to al fresco.
Aquila 36 Molokai
Known for its cruising powercats, Aquila got into the fishing game with their Molokai series and this year the model line expands with the 36. An offshore fishing cat designed to do double-duty as a day boat, the 36 Molokai has perks like an integrated tackle station that can be switched to a summer kitchen. It also boasts a console cabin with a berth and head.
Cruisers Yachts VTR Series
Cruisers yachts will be rolling out a pair of 38-footers at the show, the VTR and the VTR EC. These Euro-styled mega-bowriders have console cabins with a berth and head, and both offer sporty performance thanks to twin outboard power and a twin-stepped hull design. The standard model has an open helm, and the EC model has an enclosed helm deck.
Formula Boats 360 CBR
This “Crossover Bowrider” is the latest model from legendary builder Formula Boats. It features Formula’s tried and true FAS3Tech hull, a full hard top with monster sunroofs on stylishly swooping supports, and a console mid-cabin with a lounge and berth. The stand-up head includes a shower and the wet bar has a refrigerator, so this is a bowrider capable of weekending aboard.
Pursuit S 388
Whether you’re running offshore for a day of fishing or cruising to the waterfront restaurant with the family, the Pursuit S 388 is bound to fit the bill. This triple-engine center console has an expansive console with a twin-level lounge up front and a surprisingly large cabin inside featuring a convertible berth/dinette and full stand-up head and shower. Also take note of the large aft-facing mezzanine seat behind the helm station, which will make for uber-comfortable bait-watching while you troll.
Riviera 4300 Sports Express, 64 Sports Motor Yacht Series II, and 72 Sports Motor Yacht Series II
Things have evidently been very busy at Australian builder Riviera, and for FLIBS 2025 they’re rolling out three new offerings. The 4300 Sports Express is an express-style yacht equipped with all the goodies you need for aquatic fun, like a “sea deck” swim platform with an articulating partially submerged seat, a stowage locker big enough for paddle boards, and an optional integrated air-inflation station for water toys. The 64 and 72 Sports Motor Yacht Series II models are enclosed flybridge yachts featuring massive bridges with both indoor and outdoor areas, open aft cockpits, multiple stateroom layout options, and options for crew cabins.
Saxdor 400 GTC
Saxdor is a Finnish builder with production facilities in Poland and Finland, and the 400 series is their flagship line. The GTC model features a full-beam enclosed helm deck cabin plus a lower forward cabin, but still carves out room for a bow cockpit with open air seating. The 400 GTC also features huge swing-down “terrace” hullsides on both sides of the boat, greatly expanding the lounging room aboard when at rest. A Fathom power system is in the mix, too, so you can enjoy perks like air conditioning and stabilizers without having to run a generator thanks to a power feed via the outboards.
Solace 35CS
Solace is plugging the gap between their 32CS and 37CS with the 35CS. All of these models are luxury fishing machines with rather outrageous performance, and triple engines up to 1,200 total horsepower should provide more of the same on the 35CS; note that the 37CS breaks the 60 mph mark with 150 fewer horses, and the 35CS will weigh 3,000 pounds less.
Yamaha CrossWave
The Yamaha CrossWave isn’t merely a new model PWC, this is an entirely different personal watercraft from what we’re used to seeing. In fact, despite its diminutive nature this might just be the most unique, ground-breaking new boat intro at the show. The CrossWave bridges the gap between PWC and boat, with an expanded platform and far more deck space than other PWCs. It boosts maximum capacity above PWC norms (to four people), makes it easy to stand up and walk around, and has an integrated track mounting system for customization. Anglers are bound to love it as this is also the first PWC that can accommodate an electric trolling motor and batteries.
More than Just Boats at FLIBS 2025
In addition to these hot new models hitting the water, the FLIBS show is a boating experience all its own. There’s a long list of educational seminars at the convention center, ranging from Fishing 101 to How to Get your Captain’s License. The boat show has partnered with Proof of the Pudding to bring in great food, and the Windward VIP club boasts gourmet food and an open bar, early access, and complimentary parking.
On top of all that you’ll see just about every boating service, accessory, and water toy known to mankind at the show. It’s time to head for Fort Lauderdale, FL, and check out FLIBS 2025.
