Palm Beach International Boat Show – Round up from Yacht Informer
The annual Palm Beach International Boat Show 2023 returned once again to showcase a spectacular range of superyachts, powerboats and nautical accessories along the sparkling docks of America’s East Coast between March 23 to March 26.
Once again, the Palm Beach International Boat Show offered visitors the chance to discover the latest in cutting-edge, sustainably powered superyacht technology and an opportunity to try out the newest luxury watersport accessories and connect directly with industry experts.
This year yacht enthusiasts were spoiled for choice at the Palm Beach International Boat Show, wandering among some of the world’s most luxurious vessels set against the backdrop of the beautiful West Palm Beach Waterfront. With more than 1.2 billion dollars worth of jaw-dropping yachts and top-of-the-range marine accessories on display, visitors were treated to a line up of luxury yachts, including:
- Feadship’s Arrow: At 74.98 metres, Arrow was delivered in 2020, with interior and exterior design by H2 Yacht Design and naval architecture by De Voogt Naval Architects. The yacht features a bespoke mosaic-lined Jacuzzi and a unique bar area.
- Benetti’s Alfa: At 70.1 meters, the superyacht Alfa was built in 2020. With interiors designed by Luxury Projects, the yachts has a unique owner’s deck featuring a bathroom, dressing room, office, private home theatre, gym, and massage room.
- Delta Marine’s Starship: At 64.4 meters, the Starship superyacht has exteriors designed by Glade Johnson Design and interiors, a collaboration between Glade Johnson and Las Olas Design.
- Palmer Johnson’s DB9: At 52.3 meters long, DB9 was released in 2010. The superyacht was the first 170 project by the American shipyard and featured interior design from Nuvolari Lenard.
- Westport’s Hospitality: At 50.02 metres long, Hospitality was built in 2011 and features exterior design by Donald Starkey Designs. She is powered by twin MTU engines and has a top speed of 25 knots and a cruising speed of 15 knots.
- Oceanfast’s Big Sky: At 47.85 meters long, Big Sky was built in 2010. She includes a spacious sun deck equipped with a Jacuzzi, large sun pads, a full bar, and a lounge area that can be transformed into a cinema at night time.
- Northern Marines Sorcha: At 46.33 meters long, Sorcha was launched in 2005. The yacht is a resin-infused composite vessel designed by Ward Setzer from Setzer Design Group. Sorcha is powered by twin Caterpillar engines, delivering a top speed of 16 knots and a cruising speed of 12 knots.
Live demonstrations thrilled the crowds
Although the luxury yachts on display at the Palm Beach International Boat Show were the real showstoppers, boat show visitors were treated to breath-taking live demonstrations in the Aquazone, including aerial aquatics by Nautical Ventures, electric surfboards, electric foil boards and kayaking.
Those lucky enough to snag a ticket for the Windward VIP experience, guests were pampered with an exclusive lounge setting, a premium open bar, hors d’ oeuvres, and outdoor seating areas where they could relax and take in the show with a dedicated concierge to take care of their every whim.
The 2023 Palm Beach International Boat Show showcased over 450 exhibitors, and there were hundreds of boats on display for visitors to see. The show also offered an exciting range of family-friendly seminars, including an opportunity to learn more about fishing, boating, and the marine industry at this year’s show.
The economic impact of the boat show
The Palm Beach International Boat Show brings more than $1.05 billion into the state of Florida, delivering a substantial economic impact to the Florida area generated by the Boat Show. The financial injection comes from marine industry sales and travel and entertainment expenditures by trade show exhibitors and boat show attendees.
Over 6,000 full and part-time jobs were also generated throughout Florida for this prestigious event. The annual boat show attracts over 55,000 visitors annually, with an average expenditure by out-of-town visitors alone of $288 per day. The boat shows are all produced by Informa Markets.
