Miami Nice
MIAMI INTERNATIONAL BOAT SHOW
An overview of some of the innovative technology introduced at this year’s Miami Boat Show.
...with its singular focus on achieving the highest speed possible.
With more than 1,300 boats on display, the Miami International Boat Show is always a great place to see the latest technologies and innovations. Boating New Zealand’s Craig Ritchie walked the docks to see what really made a splash at one of the world’s biggest boat shows.
The Americans have always had a bit of a reputation for doing everything on a bigger, brasher scale and that certainly holds true when it comes to boat shows. Perhaps that’s why the Miami International Boat Show has long been the top venue for boatbuilders and engine manufacturers from around the world to unveil their latest and greatest gems.
With global economies now firing on all cylinders and new models pouring into the market at an unprecedented pace, this year’s Miami show exceeded all expectations – not just with scores of new boats, engines and gear, but plenty of true innovation coming to market. Here’s just a small sample of the fresh, innovative designs that caught my eye.
MERCURY CELEBRATES ITS 80TH anniversary this year, and got the party started at Miami by unveiling a pair of new outboards that push the boundaries on both the upper and lower ends of the horsepower spectrum.
The all-new Verado 400 fills a void in the company’s lineup between the popular Verado 350 and the 400 R racing outboard. The new engine uses the same 2.6L supercharged inline six-cylinder, DOHC 24-valve powerhead as Verado 350, now tuned up to redline at 6,800rpm rather than the 6,400rpm of the previous model.
Sequential multi-port fuel injection, a 70-amp alternator and an advanced midsection with perimeter mounts provide the quiet, vibration-free ride that the company’s Verado customers demand, while ensuring the engine still provides plenty of juice to power onboard electronics and keep batteries fully charged – considerations ignored by the racing engine with its singular focus on achieving the highest speed possible.
At the other end of the scale, Mercury also showed its new 123cc, 5hp propane portable. Weighing just 27.2 kg, the compact four-stroke runs on any standard propane cylinder, making it an ideal choice for use while camping, on smaller sailboats or on tenders.
It will run for 10 hours at full throttle on a standard 9kg barbeque tank, or for up to 30 minutes at full blast on a compact 465gm camping cylinder, making it super convenient for running into shore to load up with fresh groceries.
A special Sail Power sub-model designed to be used as primary propulsion on smaller sailboats includes a built-in 4-amp/50-watt alternator to power electronics or lights, a high-thrust propeller for improved low-speed handling, and a choice of 508mm or 635mm shaft lengths.