New-boat shoppers have long headed to Florida for a mid-winter look at what’s new on the market. But with the Miami International Boat Show cancelled by the pandemic this year, along with a number of regional winter shows across the country, a handful of builders have decided to host events on their own in the Ft. Lauderdale area over the next few weeks.
First up is Atlantic Cruising Yachts, which is planning its Las Olas Boat Show from Feb. 11 to 14. ACY is a dealer for French-built Fountaine Pajot sailing and power catamarans, and for Dufour sailboats. Models will be on display at the company’s docks at 1800 E. Las Olas Boulevard. Included in the show will be the Fountaine Pajot Isla 40, Elba 45, Samana 59 and the Dufour 360. Appointments are needed to attend; to register, visit atlantic-cruising.com/events/las-olas-boat-show/.
French builder Groupe Beneteau, meanwhile, plans to launch Sailaway Days a week later, from Feb. 19 to 21 at Seahaven Superyacht Marina, located near the Ft. Lauderdale airport. Participating brands include Beneteau, Jeanneau, Lagoon Catamarans, and Excess Catamarans, and each will have a range of their monohulls and multihulls on display. Attendees will need to preregister with each brand separately.
Beneteau’s lineup for the open house includes the Oceanis 30.1, Oceanis 46.1 and the Oceanis 51.1. To register to see these models, visit beneteauvip.com/events/2021-02-19-sailaway-days-seahaven-superyacht-marina-dania-beach-fl/.
Jeanneau also plans to have four of its models on display, including the 349, 410, 490 and 51. To register to see these boats, visit jeanneauamerica.com/en/articles/2026-sailaway-days-get-to-know-jeanneau
Excess Catamarans will have all three of its models on display at Seahaven, including the Excess 11, Excess 12 and Excess 15. To register to see them, visit excess-catamarans.com/our-events/sailaway-days-fort-lauderale-1.
Lagoon models at the open house will include the Lagoon 40, Lagoon 42, Lagoon 46 and the Sixty 5. Registration details for the Lagoons can be found at form.jotform.com/210114887797163.
Leopard Catamarans, built by Robertson and Caine in South Africa, is also planning a Ft. Lauderdale event with three of its sail models, the Leopard 45, Leopard 50 and the just-launched Leopard 42. The boats will be available for dockside visits and sea trials. The show takes place March 4 to 8 at Harbour Towne Marina. The Leopards are also available for charter ownership under the Moorings and Sunsail brands, and agents will be on hand to discuss ownership options and to book charters. To register for the event, and for more information, visit info.leopardcatamarans.com/cruising-world-open-house.
