From as far away as Europe and the Middle East, some of the world’s biggest superyachts are churning their way toward West Palm Beach for the 43rd Palm Beach International Boat Show, a five-day soiree expected to be the scene of the exhibition’s biggest gathering of out-sized vessels on record.
The show, which is scheduled to start March 19 and run through March 23, will boast more dock space than ever before, offer an extra day on its calendar, and is hoped to inject more vigor into a marketplace rattled by wars abroad and geo-political uncertainties in 2024.
Brokers and sponsors alike say they are “cautiously optimistic” about an outpouring of strong demand, despite rapidly changing economic policies in Washington.
The Marine Industries Association of Palm Beach County, the show’s owner, and Informa Markets, the show producer, expect more than 800 boats on display. They’re forecasting more than 55,000 ticketholders will gawk, browse and buy during the five-day show.
The event, which stretches along multiple blocks of Flagler Drive on the west side of the Intracoastal Waterway in West Palm Beach, is following in the footsteps of the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, which uses Wednesday as a “preview day” for a first look at exhibits.
Andrew Doole, president of U.S. Boat Shows with Informa Markets, said the extra day gives buyers more time to inspect the vessels ahead of the larger crowds.
A bumper yacht crop
More than 200 superyachts will be on display, 40 of which exceed 150 feet.
“This is the largest crop of superyachts we’ve ever had at the show,” Doole said. “A lot of European yachts are participating in the show that have not participated before. It’s the biggest European superyacht selection to date.”
“We took over all of Palm Harbor Marina,” he said. “We had two-thirds of it. We got the final third.”
The big vessels which range up to 332 feet long (the Attessa IV offered by Merle Wood & Associates), are not just for sale; they’re being offered for charters in the Caribbean, Bahamas and Mediterranean.
“We’ve had more and more brokers have clients visiting yachts in anticipation of going on an epic dream vacation to come,” Anders Kurten, CEO of the international brokerage Fraser Yachts, told the South Florida Sun Sentinel before departing for South Florida from Europe.
He said the firm will display nine yachts at the show ranging from 100 feet to 177 feet.
“Palm Beach is one of my absolute favorites,” Kurten said. “It has the unique combination of being a laid-back show with qualified buyers and charterers. Both are equally important for us.”
Sales expectations have gotten stronger since the first half of 2024, when the market was weakened by geopolitical uncertainty. In an online summary of the year, one Fraser broker called it “twitchy” in the early going.
“Your elections being resolved was one thing eliminating some uncertainty,” Kurten said. “These things go in cycles.”
The show will be the scene of various U.S. debuts, including two superyachts — the Majesty 120 and 140 — offered by Gulf Craft Group of the United Arab Emirates. The latter is a tri-deck vessel extending 140 feet long. The company said they’re both designed for the U.S. market.
Alyssa Freeman, executive director of the marine industries association, said external factors such as economic volatility impacts mainly the buyers of smaller boats.
“It doesn’t matter when we are talking about the big boats,” she said. “Powerboat sales are down about 9% from last year. Interest rates are definitely having an impact on people buying new boats.”
Both Doole and Freeman said buyers who acquire vessels from boat shows usually get “incentives” when they sign on the dotted line.
“There is still no better way to do one-stop shopping” for a boat, Doole said. “It’s not something you buy online. The comparison shop from small boat to superyachts is unsurpassed.”
The manufacturers, he added, all offer boat show deals. “There will be incentives to purchase at the show.”
Beyond the behemoths
Although the superyachts are the superstars of the event, show sponsors have made sure you don’t need a large checkbook to enjoy yourself.
A wide variety of exhibits and concessions will abound, and an “outdoor seminar tent” will offer discussions throughout the week. Fishing clinics for kids will be conducted on the weekend.
“We’re offering a series of talks designed to enhance your knowledge,” the show says on its website. “Whether you’re interested in boating basics, refining techniques, cruising to destinations, or even protecting our oceans and waterways – our expert-led sessions have something for everyone to take part in.”
The attendance outlook “is looking good right now,” Freeman said. “If we have some beautiful weather as we do right now, we’ll be in good shape.”
If you go:
Days and times:
- Wednesday: Noon to 7 p.m.
- Thursday through Saturday: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Prices:
Note:There is no onsite box office. Tickets must be purchased online. Visit pbboatshow.com.
- Adults: One-day general admission starts at $35
- Children (ages 6-15): $17
- Adult Wednesday preview: $61
- Two-day Tickets: $63 and $81
- VIP tickets, at the Windward, $410 daily. Located in the Lakeside Pavilion on Flagler Drive, the Windward VIP Club is open Wednesday through Sunday during show hours.
Parking:
Car: The Related Companies has deployed three of its facilities for boat show use, including one for valet parking. There are 13 other lots and garages around downtown. All are listed on the show website.
Yacht: Across from the Intracoastal, the Palm Beach Town Marina at the base of tony Worth Avenue still had four slips available as of last week for show-goers who want to dock their yachts overnight while attending the show, according to marina manager Mike Horn.
He said he had space for two 200-foot vessels, one 150-footer and one 130 footer.
“They’ll dock here and go back and forth,” Horn said of the owners. “We have shower facilities and restaurant facilities.”
The marina phone is 561-838-5463. The web address is townofpalmbeachmarina.com.
