Palm Beach Boat Show 2018 draws to a close

By Rebecca Bradbury 26 March 2018

The four-day run of the 2018 Palm Beach International Boat Show came to an end in Florida yesterday (Sunday 25 March) after wowing thousands of show-goers with superyacht displays, marine-related exhibits and water sports demos.

More than $1.2 billion in yachts and marine merchandise was on display at the annual event, which took place along Flagler Drive in downtown West Palm Beach.

Arguably attracting the most attention was an impressive fleet of superyachts, all sparkling in the gorgeous sunshine and available for both sale and charter. Indeed, the Palm Beach Boat Show was, as always, a magnet for high-level boat buyers and charter clients alike.

busy boardwalks lined with top brokerage firms at the Palm Beach Boat Show 2018

walkway along Flagler Drive is bustling with visitors at the Palm Beach Boat Show 2018

show-goers check out the yachts at the Palm Beach Boat Show 2018

throngs of visitors queue up to enter the Palm Beach Boat Show 2018

One of the top superyachts to see was the 73m/238ft charter yacht ‘Coral Ocean’. Not only was the Lurssen build the largest yacht in attendance, but, as one of the first masterpieces from the late, great designer Jon Bannenberg, she was unquestionably the most iconic.

Also turning heads were two offerings from Abeking & Rasmussen: the 60m/197ft charter yacht ‘Excellence V’ and the 58m/190ft charter yacht ‘Lady Sheridan’, launched in 2012 and 2007 respectively and both jam-packed with luxurious amenities for charterers to enjoy.

Westport’s 50m/164ft luxury yacht HOSPITALITY was popular among charter professionals and clients too following her recent introduction to the charter market, while many were keen to inspect the brand new refit aboard the 40m/130ft luxury yacht LIONSHARE from Heesen.

The Palm Beach Boat Show was, as always, a magnet for high-level boat buyers and charter clients alike

Other attractions included a line-up of the world’s best shipyards, which used the show as a platform for conducting business with the global elite and showcasing their latest projects and services.

Show-goers were also impressed by the show’s new signage system, re-surfaced temporary docks and brand new slips. Visitors could also take advantage of a new ‘VIP Experience’, which allowed pass holders access into an exclusive lounge and to a dedicated concierge team.

Check out our hand-picked selection of the best photos from the Palm Beach Boat Show 2018 for an even better look at what happened in Florida at the 33^rd edition of the long-running event.