FLIBS 2026: The Giants, Debuts and Helicopters of Fort Lauderdale
The world's largest in-water boat show closes today. From the 90-metre-plus Draak to the Hatteras 77 premiere, here is what mattered.
MAN TARGET EditorsNovember 1, 2026 4 min read
The 67th Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, known across the industry simply as FLIBS, opened with a Prime Preview on 28 October and closes today, 1 November 2026. Organisers bill it as the world's largest in-water boat show, and expected more than 100,000 visitors and over 1,000 exhibitors from more than 90 countries, according to BOAT International.
Scale is the point, though counts vary. YachtCharterFleet tallied 209 superyachts attending, up from 170 in 2025, spread across six venues, while BOAT International's BOATPro data showed 193 on display on opening day. Either way, it is the densest gathering of large yachts in the Americas this autumn.
The yachts everyone walked to
- Draak: the largest yacht at the show, an Oceanco of more than 90 metres formerly known as Tranquility, berthed at Pier Sixty-Six on her first US show appearance after a refit.
- Boardwalk V: a 76.5-metre Feadship, among the other giants on the docks.
- World premieres: the Hatteras 77 and the Pearl 100 made their global debuts.
- Princess X90: a 27.1-metre 'super flybridge' yacht, third in the X Class, with a hybrid planing hull by Olesinski.
- Westport 172 Endeavour: a 52-metre motor yacht with a 25-knot top speed and room for a 12-metre tender.
Beyond the boats
The show also rethought the arrival. New for 2026 was a helicopter shuttle from Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International (FLL) and Fort Lauderdale Executive (FXE) airports to a temporary landing platform at Pier Sixty-Six, plus ten-minute aerial tours, according to YachtCharterFleet. A floating pickleball court at Las Olas Marina hosted a crew-only tournament.
The most unexpected debut had four wheels. Sanlorenzo and FIAT unveiled a one-of-a-kind electric Topolino with interior details inspired by the shipyard; BOAT International reports the collaboration was named to TIME's Best Inventions of 2026 in the design category.
FLIBS is less a boat show than a floating marketplace for the American buyer.
On the business side, BOAT International reported that the brokerage fleet on show carried a combined asking price of about €1.427 billion, with most yachts between 24 and 40 metres. Ferretti Group's new chief executive, Stassi Anastassov, used the week to underline the United States as a key market. The 45-metre explorer Scintilla Maris, rebuilt from an ocean-going trawler, heads to a no-reserve auction on 5 November.
Thinking of buying or chartering? A show is the best place to compare builders side by side, but a sea trial, an independent survey and a specialist broker come before any signature. For flag, tax and ownership structures, talk to a qualified adviser.
Key takeaways
- The 67th FLIBS ran from 28 October to 1 November 2026, with 100,000+ visitors and 1,000+ exhibitors expected.
- Around 200 superyachts attended; the largest was the Oceanco Draak, formerly Tranquility.
- World premieres included the Hatteras 77 and the Pearl 100; Princess brought the X90.
- New this year: helicopter shuttles from two local airports straight to Pier Sixty-Six.
FAQ
When is the Fort Lauderdale boat show 2026?
The 67th FLIBS ran from 28 October (Prime Preview day) to 1 November 2026, across six venues in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
What was the biggest yacht at FLIBS 2026?
Draak, an Oceanco superyacht of more than 90 metres formerly called Tranquility, berthed at Pier Sixty-Six.
How many yachts are at FLIBS?
YachtCharterFleet counted 209 superyachts in 2026, up from 170 in 2025, among more than 1,000 exhibitors overall.
Plan your next show season: see the Man Target events calendar for Monaco, Fort Lauderdale and beyond.
ExploreShare this story
The Sunday Brief.
The boat shows, launches and charters worth your time, every week. Join free.
Buying intelligence for serious collectors: price trends, value tracking, exclusive reports and private events.
Unlock IntelligenceKeep reading
Yacht Charter Basics: Crewed vs. Bareboat, and What to Ask
A week at sea can be the purest freedom you'll ever buy — or a floating logistics problem. It starts with one choice.
MAN TARGET Editors · 3 min read
The Boat Shows Worth Planning a Trip Around
A good boat show is a concentrated look at design, equipment and maritime culture, but the smartest visit starts with a clear brief.
Daniel Price · 3 min read
Sailing or Motor Yacht: Which Suits Your Trip?
The better yacht is the one that fits your pace, destination and tolerance for logistics—not a universal winner in a style contest.
Rafael Costa · 3 min read