Yacht buyers came out to the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show this year, braving rain to visit the show, returning to their favorite yachts several times, making verbal offers, and generally giving the industry a wave of optimism heading into the new year.

“We had an incredible show,” said Todd Ewing of Northrop & Johnson, noting that he saw more qualified people stopping by. “The show had nice vibes." "Thursday was the best preview day in three years; you could tell in the comings and goings,” said Rich George of Captain-net.com. “The first day sets the tone of the show.” Overall, captains, brokers, dealers and exhibitors were happy with the business conducted at the show, despite the rain. Some even thought the rain helped. "The rain has been good,” said Jim Tippman of United Yachts . “It's kept buyers on the boats." “The people who wanted to be here were here,” said Deckhand Nick Silich of M/Y Touch. “It’s been a nice show,” said Capt. Mark Wellnitz of M/Y Miss Michelle. “We weren’t slammed, but we had a steady flow of people.”

A calendar of events taking place throughout the Florida Keys next year:
Jan. 6-8: Key Largo Sailfish Challenge. Key Largo. At the height of the sailfish season, this event follows a boat-tournament format, and prizes and trophies await the first-, second- and third-place teams. Proceeds benefit the Coral Shores High School Band program. Contact Tammie Gurgiolo at 305-240-9337 or email fishnbully@msn.com.

Jan. 8-9: Bartender’s Sailfish Open. Islamorada. A boat tournament among actively employed bartenders, this locals' favorite challenge offers trophy awards and bragging rights to winning bars in a hilarious yet competitive event. Contact Dianne Harbaugh at 305-852-2102 or 305-522-4868, or email ditournaments@aol.com.

Jan. 11-12: The Islamorada SailFly. Islamorada. In this fly-fishing, all-release sailfish boat team tournament, captains, mates or anglers can tease, but only the registered anglers can cast, hook and play the fish. Tournament rules are IGFA format. The invitational challenge is limited to 20 boats. Contact Sandy Moret at 305-664-5423 or email sandy@floridakeysoutfitters.com.

The first thing most people learn about a yacht is its name. It tells us something about the yacht, doesn’t it? Whether its formal or playful, silly or smart. But often, the name means little to outsiders, but the world to the owner, who often pay their homage to another human, especially their family and wives.

"No, we're not the magazine," Stew Rachel Axcell said of M/Y Elle. Elle refers to the owner's wife, as does Claire, and Melinda Ann. Daughters are big stern stars, too, as with Krishelle, and let’s not forget the power of the family name, as on Namoh. Toss in a little foreign language and the name is suddenly exotic and mysterious: La Belle Yvette (beautiful Yvette in French), Bella Bri (beautiful Bri in Spanish), Allegria (happiness in Italian), Ohana (family in Hawaiian), Namaste (peace be the journey in Sanskrit), and Sorcha (keeper of the light in Gaelic). Newvida mixes a little English (new) and a little Spanish (vida) to represent this owner’s new life.

As varied as the cars that James Bond has driven in the various 007 movies, few have proven as inseparable from the Bond image as Aston Martin. But what of the boats? Bond's watercraft have ranged from hovercraft to submarines, Sunseeker speed boats to megayachts and even naval ships. But one designer has sought to bridge the gap with the Aston Martin speed boat you see here.

Diamonds are Forever super yacht built to a design in-house by Benetti, the Italian super yacht manufacturer features a signature Evan K Marshall interior composed of two panoramic master suites and four guest staterooms.  Measuring 60.95-meters with a 10.50-meter overall beam, this gorgeous vessel will accommodate up to twelve guests in two master staterooms (VIP) and four guest cabins as well as accommodations for a crew of fifteen.

Organizers of the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show proudly announces the debut of "MyBoatShow", a new smart phone app that will be launched at this year's show.  MyBoatShow is a free app that is available on iPhone and Android platforms. The newly designed app will help people navigate the boat shows land areas, docks and tents.

Show goers will be able to access show maps and search for manufacturers, exhibitors, boats and product categories by specifications and size.  The app, which will be available for all Show Management-produced boat shows, also will provide the boat shows schedule, show transportation, seminar information, schedules and maps, food and drink locations, emergency services and restroom locations.

The Adastra Trimaran super yacht appears to be more of a racing classification, however it is actually being built for a family residing in Hong Kong, who from the appearance of the vessel have more money than they know what to do with.

Measuring 139 feet in length, super yacht Adastra was designed and built by John Shuttleworth Yacht Designs.
Completion expectancy is 5 years, and reportedly is currently undergoing it's first year of construction.

World renowned for its lavish custom catamaran yachts, Poland-based Sunreef Yachts continues to expand and has been speeding up the promotion process within the U.S.  The company has established its first US office in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, centrally-located at SE 17th Street.

The new office has been in operation since 2009 as the American base for Sunreef Yachts Charter, and is currently expanding to sales and brokerage.  Martha Lukasik, President of Sunreef Yachts Charter and recently commended Sunreef Sales Director for the Americas, will be in charge of sales operations.
Establishing a US headquarters for Sunreef Yachts has been key in developing its global brand and meeting the international demand for luxury Power and Sail catamarans in the Americas.

Power boats helmed by top American and International racing teams will roar through the waters of Key West Harbor during the Key West World Power Boat Championships, November 6th-13th. Power boats will compete on a challenging 6.5-mile course, through both rough and calm water conditions, throughout the season-ending event acclaimed as the Indianapolis 500 of the offshore power boat racing circuit.

Power boat race organizer, John Carbonell says boats will be within 50 yards of race fans at the Truman Waterfront grandstand area as they rip into the outer harbor. The Power Boat World Championships will kick off on Sunday at 4 p.m., November 6th with a parade of race boats down the island's renowned Duval Street.

The group of surfers attempted to search for his body, however police later said it had been carried out by the waves.There were approximately 20 people surfing in shallow water and about five surfers out deeper when the attack happened," according to a witness.