Message From The Editor Fort Lauderdale and a Changing Boating Aesthetic
As I write this, I’m on the plane returning from the 2025 Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show and I’m thinking about what I saw and what people were telling me. Overall, I feel that it was a positive show. Maybe not "very" positive but still, positive and making me feel that at least in the USA, boat buyers are in a "go ahead" mode, not a "wait and see". This may be a solid year for sales, but of course, that depends on what you are selling.
One of the highlights of my visit was to have a lengthy one-on-one with Jan Erik Vitala, founder and leader of Axopar Boats. I would credit Axopar with creating the Swedish Adventure Boat movement and that was what we talked about. I first met Jan Erik at the Miami show many years ago now. I had seen Axopar boats online and in the European magazines, but that was my first chance to see an Axopar and to get out on a demonstration ride. John Armstrong and I were out with Jan Erik for a lengthy run and we had a great opportunity to hear what was behind the development of Axopar, his design and production achievements, sales numbers and future targets plus, far more. (READ MORE)
|
Garmin, the world’s largest1 and most innovative marine electronics manufacturer, has unveiled the GPSMAP® 9000xsv series – superior chartplotters designed for captains and anglers that demand world-class performance. Available with a 10-, 13- or 17-inch touchscreen display, these multi-functional displays (MFDs) boast Garmin’s cutting-edge integrated xCHIRP traditional sonar and UHD scanning sonar to help anglers see... READ MORE
TRAC Ecological Port-O-Flush Jr. is designed especially for flushing of onboard water-cooled equipment. Used with TRAC’s Barnacle Buster®, Port-O-Flush Jr. quickly and safely cleans onboard small-to-medium size diesel engines, refrigerators and air conditioners. READ MORE
Highfield Boats, America’s leading RIB brand, is proud to announce the launch the Escape Series, an all-new line of fiberglass-hull center console RIBS made in the USA. The first two models in the series, the Highfield Escape 650 and Escape 750, were unveiled during the Highfield Boats Dealer & Media Day Event at the company’s factory in Cadillac, Michigan. READ MORE
