The 10 Most Exciting Yachts at This Year’s Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show

For those who missed it at Monaco, the 2026 Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, the largest in-water boat show in the world, offered a second chance to get eyes on Gabe Newell’s 305-foot Draak. The former high-profile superyacht turned research and marine exploration vessel, which serves as a companion yacht to the tech billionaire’s 364-foot flagship superyacht Leviathan, was the largest yacht in this year’s show. Draak was in good company, berthed alongside the largest vessels on display at the Superyacht Village at Pier Sixty-Six South, including the 223-foot Feadship Lady Christine and the 209-foot Royal Hakvoort Scout.

In a show of force at the Bahia Mar Yachting Center, Aquila Catamarans brought the largest-ever power catamaran lineup in the show’s history, with a nine-model display covering cruising, fishing and performance, headlined by the US debut of its 35 Sport. There was also a sizeable presence from companies driving yachting’s Blue Economy, with CMC Marine generating buzz in the tech tent over its Energy Recovery System (ERS). Inspired by technology used in Formula 1 racing, ERS captures energy generated when the yacht’s stabiliser fins slow down and reuses it to reduce stabilisation power consumption by up to 50 per cent.

Innovation of this kind was showcased across the five days, with around 100,000 visitors flocking to the docks, drawn by more than 1,300 boats showcased across six waterfront locations. That included a whopping 206-strong superyacht fleet and an equally significant 113 boat debuts. Here are our favourite launches from the event.

Pearl 100 Hybrid

As the third world debut for the British builder in just two months, following the reveals of the Pearl 73 at Cannes and the Pearl 100 at Monaco, this 96-foot flagship Pearl 100 Hybrid marks a significant milestone in the brand’s evolution. It is both the largest yacht yet created by Pearl and the first model in its fleet to have advanced hybrid propulsion, combining silent electric manoeuvring with an extended range of 1,150 nautical miles and a 24-knot diesel top speed. A new monochrome interior palette hails from the boards of designer Kelly Hoppen. Fold-out wings that extend the aft cockpit towards the water and a passage that links the extended flybridge directly with the foredeck deliver enhanced onboard living.

Princess C48

The Princess C48 introduces an entirely new dimension as the builder’s first model to offer outboard power options and is capable of a hair-whipping 53 knots thanks to triple 600 hp V12 Verados. At the heart of the design is Michael Peters’s patented SVVT hull, recognised worldwide for its efficiency, speed and ride comfort. The advanced concept reduces drag and creates lift by channelling air beneath the running surface, significantly improving performance, comfort and fuel economy. This debutante marks the brand’s entry into the centre-console and day boat market, while the Princess X90, which made its North American debut at FLIBS, showcases the brand’s new Super Flybridge concept.

Prestige M8 EVO

This 65-foot power catamaran made its US debut in Fort Lauderdale, featuring solar panels, an expanded galley with an integrated bar and an optional silent mode. The M8 Evo represents the new flybridge flagship in Prestige’s M-Line series of narrow-hulled luxury power catamarans. Much of the design tweaking was shaped by existing owner feedback, such as the removal of the internal stairs leading up to the flybridge from the saloon; aside from eradicating any visual barrier, it opens up the main deck, allowing for an expanded helm-side galley and dining area. Even more impressive is the reconfigured lower-deck owner’s suite, which stretches across the full 30-foot beam, itself a key design element afforded by the M-Line’s optimised twin-hull naval architecture.

Absolute Navetta 66

Making its US debut with extensive three-deck glazing, a sheltered cockpit terrace and modular flybridge spaces, the Absolute Navetta 66 has one of the most spacious flybridges in its class. Glass gunwales and a sheltered cockpit terrace afford uninterrupted views towards the water. In addition to a full-beam master suite forward, a VIP and twin amidships, the Navetta 66 places the fourth guest cabin at sea level, creating a unique retreat just inches above the waterline. It includes a sofa that electrically converts into a double bed and direct access to the beach platform.

Bluegame BGX83

The BGX83 is the largest model in Bluegame’s BGX crossover line. Its chameleon-like qualities make it well suited as a day boat, long-distance cruiser or chase boat, providing a smart, low-pressure entry point for younger owners wanting what founder Luca Santella describes as “the superyacht experience on an 83-foot platform”. Key features include an expandable beach club, a full-beam master suite (plus a further three guest cabins), and a customisable outdoor bar and kitchen unit for that personalised finish. It matches world-class design, with exteriors by Zuccon International Project and interiors by Piero Lissoni, with a zippy 30-knot top speed powered by triple Volvo Penta IPS 1200 engines.

Galeon 570 Sky

This bold new 57-foot Skydeck model made its world premiere at Fort Lauderdale, combining high-octane performance, forward-thinking design and onboard comfort. The 570 Sky also blends the sporty silhouette of a hardtop with the full functionality of a flybridge. It scooped the Best Innovation 2026 award at the World Yacht Trophies before its big reveal. The vessel was designed by Tony Castro, with interiors by Hong Kong’s InSitu Design (which also penned the newly revealed Galeon 700 Sky interior at FLIBS). A standout feature is the hidden flybridge with a full helm, sun loungers and convertible seating, preserving its uninterrupted coupé silhouette whether underway or at anchor.

Sunreef Ultima 55

This performance-focused hybrid power catamaran made its US debut this week, alongside its sister model, the Brabus Ultima 55, which adds a few automotive styling features. The Ultima 55 is built on Sunreef’s multihull design with a low draft and a three-foil hydrofoil system that lifts the hull to reduce hydrodynamic drag. Balancing speed with stability, it has a walkaround deck, a vast semi-open saloon and a spacious aft section with two fold-down bulwark platforms. Offering a fresh take on multihull living, it blends performance with an open connection to the water, along with architecture designed around an easy flow of movement between the interior and exterior and clear visibility.

Sunfinder 50

AIATA’s open-air flagship, the Sunfinder 50, thrust Turkish craftsmanship to the fore this year. The 50-foot model is built around a triple-outboard configuration that delivers speeds of up to 50 knots while offering one of the highest volume-to-length ratios in its segment. Developed in collaboration with renowned Finnish designer Jarkko Jämsén, a key element is a large bow lounge, which functions as a true second social cockpit. At the aft, fold-down terraces create an outdoor living space more commonly associated with larger yachts, while below deck, owners can choose between a two-cabin, two-bathroom configuration or a two-cabin, one-bathroom-and-galley setup.

Brabus Shadow 1000 XC

With its distinctive Black Ops exterior and signature carbon-fibre detailing, the Brabus Shadow 1000 is built on an evolved 38-foot platform developed in partnership with Axopar Boats. Equipped with twin Mercury Racing V8 500R engines for a blistering 60-knot top speed, the superboat turned heads at Cannes and Monaco before making its US debut at FLIBS with the Cross Cabin edition. Also available in a Sun-Top model, it offers 10 per cent more torque, 26 per cent more boost, and more responsive steering and higher revs than any other Brabus Shadow model. It’s powered by the first marine engine to offer air-humidity monitoring to maintain perfect calibration and high performance in any environment.

Horizon PC68A

This 68-foot luxury power catamaran, which made its global debut in the Fort Lauderdale sun, is designed as the world’s first fully accessible yacht in its size class. A custom-built multi-deck glass elevator connects three levels, including the starboard-hull master stateroom, the main deck, the Portuguese deck and an extended flybridge. Five wheelchair-friendly boarding options, including a rotating entry/exit platform and a retractable side ramp, continue the thoughtful integrations, while the master suite has a 90-degree rotated bed, an adjacent adjustable transfer platform and a repositioned dayhead. The four-stateroom layout is paired with a folding stern section on the aft deck, making the PC68A ideal for all ages and abilities.

Cover image: Brabus

This story was previously published on Robb Report USA.