ANCHORS AWAY
An armada of 800 boats and 55,000 nauti visitors soak it in at the 42nd annual showcase
SPECTACULAR multimillion dollar yachts — check! Balmy, waterfront location — check! Family-friendly exhibitions and fun — check! Then it must be the 42nd annual Palm Beach International Boat Show, which cruised into West Palm Beach this week. The city’s waterfront Downtown was transformed into a yachters’ haven, filled with both ultra-luxurious yachts and cruisers along with a seemingly endless range of yachting-inspired activities.
This year some 800 boats and yachts participated in the show, which is expected to lure over 55,000 total visitors along with 600 brands. In total, the four-day show is anticipated to pump over $1 billion into the economy of the Palm Beach area, which has seen both its population and popularity surge since the pandemic.
“Beyond its economic significance and standing in the industry, the Palm Beach International Boat Show holds a special place in the hearts of local residents, revered as one of the region’s must-attend events,” said Alyssa Freeman, executive director of the Marine Industries Association of Palm Beach County (MIAPBC).
The show supports a series of satellite events such as the Winward VIP Club, with an open bar, gourmet dining and special pop-up activations. The Super Yacht Show Palm Beach at Palm Harbor was where the show’s most glamorous — and truly gargantuan — superyachts are on display. At the AquaZone, which is presented by Nautical Ventures, guests can enjoy a “show within a show” via an interactive experience featuring a wide range of water sports and cuttingedge, marine-related products.
As always, the Show delivers an exceptional array of culinary experiences, including world-class cocktails provided by sponsors such as Goslings Rum. The Show also includes a series of education seminars that appeal to visitors of all ages, including the Hook the Future’s Kids Fishing Clinics with Captain Don Dingman, who demonstrates various fishing techniques while showcasing a wide variety of fish species. Participants get a free Hook the Future x Carolina Skiff rod and reel combo.
But it’s really all about the boats. Here are five of the most unique, intriguing and eye-popping vessels on display.