One of the most accessible boat shows in the world appears along Collins Avenue in Miami Beach every February. For a solid mile, both new and polished brokerage yachts line the avenue, vying for attention all day with gleaming chrome and glistening hulls, then lighting up both topsides and underwater every evening. It’s no wonder that traffic slows to a crawl during Yachts Miami Beach.
In the daytime, any citizen can visit the yachts without a ticket, as no entry fee is charged. This year, show organizers went one step further, working with many exhibitors to provide VIP access one evening to those who purchased a ticket. Those who made the scene in the cool of the evening had no crowds to hustle them and found hors d’oeuvres and adult beverages available at most stands.
YachtWorld helped sponsor the evening, so we attended as well, bringing along photographers Chris Conway, from our home office in Virginia, and local talent Sami Ansari, of hotrock pictures. For the evening’s tour, join writer Zuzana Prochazka (with contributions from the rest of the YachtWorld staff).
With nearby Miami Beach in the background, a pair of Riva yachts basked in each other’s blue-water reflections. Sami Ansari/hotrock pictures
The docks at the Princess Yachts‘ stand looked glamorous, as usual. Sami Ansari/hotrock pictures
Ferretti Group’s comprehensive display of gleaming hulls was a feast for connoisseurs of fine yachts, including several models in the Pershing fleet, led by this Pershing 82 VHP (Very High Power), which speeds along in the neighborhood of 50 knots. Sami Ansari/hotrock pictures
Bluewater Yacht Sales presented the 66 Viking Sea I Sea – a pale blue 2013 fishing machine with luxury accommodation including the popular island-galley layout. The 42-knot convertible carried a price tag just under $3.5 million. Chris Conway photo
At Sunseeker Yachts, it was a cool, pleasant, and very green evening. Sami Ansari/hotrock pictures
In the Sunseeker spotlight was the sporty, award-winning Predator 57, a sleek hard-top yacht that balances style with practicality. Sami Ansari/hotrock pictures
The Princess S65 marks the second in the S-series, following the stylish 72. The S65 wowed North American crowds with its promise of agility and a top speed of 38 knots. Sami Ansari/hotrock pictures
Merle Wood & Associates displayed La Pellegrina built by Couach Yachts — a 50-meter superyacht that when not serving as a dockside garage (vehicle is extra) can cross the Atlantic in 10 days. Besides carrying 17,000 gallons of fuel for a range of 4000 miles, the composite-build yacht has 500 square meters of living space and a large upper deck that can be converted into a helipad. Chris Conway photo
The Hatteras GT 70 Convertible Sportfisher enjoyed its world premiere during the evening, close by its sistership, the 70 Motor Yacht. Chris Conway photo
Sanlorenzo showcased an impressive selection of yachts from 78 to 118 feet. Debuting in the Americas, the SL86 is the company’s entry-level vessel in the SL range of fiberglass, planing-hull motoryachts. Sami Ansari/hotrock pictures
The team from Benetti Yachts celebrated the evening among its glittering offering including the 125-foot Vivace named Iron Man. Interior designer, Alfred Karram (second from right) is responsible for the elegant Italian decor and is a long-time Benetti collaborator. Sami Ansari/hotrock pictures
Beneteau presented a full slate of yachts including the compact Swift Trawler 30, the new Gran Turismo 40 and 46, the powerful Monte Carlo 6 and the rest of the spectacular Monte Carlo Yachts range. Sami Ansari/hotrock pictures
Astondoa Yachts is commemorating 100 years of Spanish boatbuilding of world class yachts with their 110-foot Century, Sophye. A great stop at the end of our tour, Sophye showed off as the ultimate entertainment yacht with four separate social areas. Sami Ansari/hotrock pictures