12 Highlights from the World's 'Largest In-Water Boat Show'

Florida Sportsman was at the annual Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show. Here's what we saw.

November 12, 2024 By Jeff Weakley

Didn’t get a chance to visit the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show last week? Florida Sportsman Editor Jeff Weakley made the rounds, and shares snapshots and notes from what organizers call the "largest in-water boat show in the world."

1. Caymas 291

The “big brother” to the Caymas 281, this new model features a Stepped-Vee Ventilated Tunnel hull, 9 ½-foot beam, 200-gallon fuel capacity, twin 35-gallon livewells, and a few different styles of topside designs, including forward boat seating or open. The coffin-box fish storage is pretty sweet on a “bay” boat, which will no doubt spend time in wahoo, grouper and tuna country. Rigged to the max as she appeared at the boat show: $379,801.

2. Bonita Shark Bait 141

Built in Melbourne, Florida, Bonita offers a modern update to the classic Whaler-style skiffs that were once the trusted compact utility vehicles of the coast. Neat little rig.

3. Dusky 227 V XF

Dusky, based in Dania Beach, Florida, always turns eyes at the boat shows not only for classic lines and smart, fishing-oriented layouts, but also for value. The 227, priced at the boat show in the low $80s (without trailer), is a lot of boat for the money. Two-hundred-horse fly-by-wire Suzuki, fiberglass T-top, 9-inch Simrad and a long list of other features and options.

4. Grady-White Freedom 345

Packed into this ocean-class dual console boat, Grady-White has an answer to just about any conceivable need on the water, from refrigerated fish box storage aft, to air-conditioned cabin spaces and helm, to plush forward seating. The helm station is designed around exceptional visibility, with obvious attention given to line of sight over the dash; still, they’re able to accommodate twin 19-inch multifunction screens. Dual captain and companion chairs to starboard, and the port side features a comfy reclining area. Aft-facing cockpit seats retract, and the transom bench folds. Corian counters, contact chargers for cell phones, hand rails in logical places—there’s a lot to take in. With triple 350 Yamahas, top end is reportedly 56 mph, and optimal cruise is 30 mph at 1.1 mpg. Base price is listed as $801,000; optioned-up boat show special was $849,000.

5. Contender 29Bay

Contender positions this new one as an extension of the company’s 23- and 26-foot bay boats, designed with shallower deadrise than the company’s 24.5-degree V-bottom offshore fleet. The 29Bay is based on a similar hull geometry as the 23 and 26, with 15-degree transom deadrise, but obviously geared up to offer greater range and options, with 180 gallon fuel capacity, 25-gallon freshwater capacity, step-down console with holding tank, twin outboards mounted on a jackplate and the SeaKeeper Ride system standard.

6. Young Salt River 23

Young Boats builds some unique shallow-water boats with a distinctive raised helm station that affords great visibility to the operator, plus a comfortable ride. The Salt River 23 carries that design element into catamaran territory. According to company literature, loaded, with power, the Salt River weighs in at about 3,100 pounds, runs in 4 inches and offers cruise fuel economy as high as 4.2 mph.

7. Sea Pro 225 Sandbar Boat

Sea Pro has a cool concept with the Sandbar Edition series boats, adding a 22-footer this year at the Lauderdale Boat Show. Think of it as a saltwater-competent, center console “fish and ski,” decked out with features that make a lot of sense when anchored up for family fun. Hanging out at the sandbar? The leaning post can be moved forward for an aft-facing helm seat, a cooler pops out for a footrest, a tray can be fitted to the stern for in-water counter surface, and there’s an option for a pump-out head in the standup console (which also includes a freshwater sink, a rarity on boats in this size class). With Suzuki 200 power, starting price is as low as $79,000.

8. Cobia 265 and 285 Center Console and Open Series

Fresh and functional new lines this year on Cobia’s mid-size offshore center consoles, along with top-class componentry and some brilliant ergonomic touches. The side door opens inward and include a magnetic catch—and not by coincidence, it doesn’t intrude upon fishbox/cooler access. Similarly, the forward hatch entrance to the console head compartment reveals steps angled optimally to descend. The transom features a wide, clean walk-on surface. There’s also healthy clearance—we’d say probably class-leading—around the console and on up to the bow for fishing chores. The hulls are vacuum-infused with the VARIS process. The 285 Open as optioned out for the Lauderdale show was $228,613.

9. Relentless Knives

Manufactured in Tampa, Florida, these are titanium blades—not coated—mated with a tungsten carbide and crushed diamond edge strip which effectively creates a self-sharpening knife. Company testing and displays indicate remarkable rust-free durability in salt water. The handle is non-slip, an aggregate almost like pool decking. Several Relentless models were offered at the boat show, including their best-seller, a 7-inch curved fillet knife (MSRP $209).

10. Suzuki Makes Waves

Suzuki introduced a new V6 200 hp outboard, a high-torque option to its existing inline 4-cylinder 200. They also sweetened the pot with a 7-year warranty offer for any new V6 Suzuki (200/225/250) purchased before December 31, 2024. On top of that, the company rolled out a Suzuki Cares initiative in response to the Gulf of Mexico hurricanes, offering $1,000 off on a new engine purchase by a customer affected by the hurricanes.

11. Robalo 160

Robalo introduced three new models at the show, a compact 160 center console, the offshore long-range 300, and the multi-purpose 257 DC. The 160 was an interesting introduction, obviously catering not only to the new boat buyer (show price was $40,570) but also anyone with limited storage space or wanting to tow using a smaller truck or SUV.

Regulator builds good-looking seaworthy boats with no-nonsense features aimed at putting release flags in the halyards and eatin’ fish in the box. The new 2025 25 stays true to that legacy, with a huge transom livewell, walk-thru tuna door, simple access to bilge components, step-down head compartment, fiberglass T-top and more. Show price, optioned up, was $288,930.