Fort Lauderdale 33316 - The Billion-Dollar Zip Code Multi-Million $$ Floating Mansions to Call Fort Lauderdale Boat Show Home

For five days every October, Fort Lauderdale’s Intercoastal Waterway transforms into the wealthiest zip code in the entire world. That’s when the largest gathering of the world’s most glamorous, and most expensive superyachts (yachts 80-feet and over), drop anchor at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show®, and become a collective billion-dollar showcase of real estate wealth on water.

This year’s show, taking place October 25 – 29, 2007, will feature more than 200 superyachts – a.k.a. mobile mansions – ranging in value from $1 Million to a record $130 Million (attributed to the “Queen” of this year’s event, the 223' Kismet by Lürssen Yachts) – with many making their world debuts. Though you won’t see “open house” signs, show visitors can walk the docks of the show to come across these amazing feats of naval engineering and design, and dream of multi-million dollar maritime living.

WORLD DEBUTS

1. 164' Mine Games, 161' Lohengrin / Builder: Trinity Yachts
Trinity’s five superyacht line-up, totaling close to $200 Million, boasts two major world debuts at this year’s show:

Mine Games / Estimated: n/a: This aluminum tri-deck boasts a very highly finished custom traditional interior, featuring raised paneling in American Cherry, Maple Burl and Figured Bubinga with a classic and understated hand polished finish. Hand-forged black iron railings with gold accents, intricate marble medallions at the aft salon entry and under the dining salon table and hand painted scenes on the overheads of the main salon, dining salon and sky lounge uniquely appoint the interior. She’s the third Trinity to offer a full-beam, split-level master suite forward on the main deck with 180-degree windows for unobstructed views, while another four staterooms accommodate up to ten guests below. She also features the elongated swim platform at the stern just above the water level (for al fresco dining at waterside), which is quickly becoming a Trinity mainstay. And when it comes to recreation, Mine Games doesn’t disappoint, with an array of “toys” including a 22 ft. tender, two jet skis and a small submarine.

Lohengrin / Estimated: $34M: In literature, Lohengrin is a knight of the Holy Grail, sent in a boat pulled by swans to rescue a maiden who can never ask his identity. Though not pulled by swans (but rather two 3512-B, 2,250 hp Caterpillars), this Lohengrin is a shining example of nobility on the water. The full-beam master suite is forward on the main deck, and features a reverse-facing split level design. Three king and one twin staterooms reside below, all decked in mahogany with en suite baths exquisitely finished with inlaid marble. It is interesting to note that the interior “formal” dining salon on the main deck does not occupy the whole beam, so that diners can have the privacy of closed doors. Exterior styling is smooth and curvaceous with continuous horizontal lines. She sports Trinity’s popular extended, 14-ft. stern swim platform, and another Trinity signature: a double-winged radar arch straddling the sundeck with viewing windows on either side of the lower arch wings.

2. 142' Status Quo / Builder: Richmond Yachts / Estimated: $26M
With over $2 million worth of upgrades, hull #4 of Richmond’s 142-foot tri-deck series sports some fresh ideas. Bulwarks were removed from the aft end of the spa and bridge decks to provide a better view aft, add three feet of usable deck space, and decrease weight aloft. Remaining bulwarks were replaced by stainless steel rails, permitting storage for a tender up to 22-feet. The electronics arch received a redesign, losing some of its mass and showing more of a forward sweep. The bridge- deck sports a fifth guest cabin to complement the four on the lower deck. The ambiance is set by touches such as a large outdoor bar with a teak and marble top gracing the aft main deck and an interior finished in sapele mahogany, with contrasting pomele burl accents.

3. 124' Perle Bleue / Builder: Hakvoort / Estimated: n/a
You’ll flip inside out for Perle Bleue. A removable canvas sun awning attached to the A-mast, which is also fitted with an efficient misting system, can shade and cool down the aft section of the sun deck. A whirlpool bathtub forward features a fountain as well as a waterfall arrangement streaming from the back of a bench seat. And yet another original outdoor attribute is the teak patio area in front of the wheelhouse, outfitted with dining table for six, a refrigerator, service bar and awning system. Inside, inspiration is drawn from 1930s French salons, as the main salon features mahogany rosewood walls enhanced by a burnished gold ceiling. Adorning the walls is a series of painted scenes of Parisian parties, some of which reach from floor to ceiling. By contrast, the lower accommodations deck is St. Barth’s inspired, with three guest staterooms featuring teak floors, individual pastel colored themes, and ensuite bathrooms with pebble-covered floors.

4. 103' Raised Pilot House / Builder: Johnson Yachts / Estimated: $7.4M
As the largest vessel in the fleet, this first-ever 103 is a literal extension of the popular 87. She was stretched in the middle, to create a bigger salon, bigger galley, and more interior space. She is also sleeker looking, thanks to a straight-line bow, flowing lines (as opposed to Johnson’s distinctive “rounded look”), and side pockets that encapsulate the anchors. The addition of propeller pockets shaved off a foot from the draft, which is now at 6 feet. And the swim platform was extended and a davit added inside the transom for tender deployment from the garage. Despite the big changes, Johnson’s trademark 270° vertical windows forward on each deck remain in tact. The 103 is available in 3-4-5 stateroom configurations. There is an option for an on-deck master stateroom, or a country kitchen, which moves the master stateroom below deck forward or amidships. And flydeck configurations come in open, covered or enclosed, in which case the deck can become a pilothouse with office.

5. 93' Donna Marie / Builder: Hargrave Custom Yachts / Estimated: n/a
Donna Marie is a raised pilothouse model that reflects the classic styling of Hargrave Custom Yachts with a structured profile and precise lines that draw the eyes upward toward the remarkably spacious flying bridge. Polished cherry wood blends with plush fabrics and fine interior adornments define the main deck, which is especially conducive to entertainment with a balance of comfortable seating and refined details, such as cherry wood crown molding and Emperadora marble display counters. A large, marble-topped dining table forward seats eight guests for a formal meal or family gathering. On board accommodations can house six guests and four crew members.

US DEBUTS

1. 148' Marco Polo / Builder: Cheoy Lee / Estimated: $20M
Marco Polo lives up to her namesake as a transoceanic explorer vessel boasting an impressive 6000-nm range at 10.5 knots and 83 gal. per hour fuel consumption. She features an exclusive owner’s deck (except for the pilothouse forward), with private dining table on the aft deck, and a Swarovski rendition of the sky with starlight inlays above the bed as the interior focal point. The main deck defers the entertainment station to a separate big-screen movie room/library located forward of the galley. The lower deck houses a VIP stateroom, two guest staterooms, and a gym that can revert to fourth stateroom if required. The sky deck forgoes a Jacuzzi, opting instead for more outdoor dining, sunbathing and seating to create a casual observation deck. And there is plenty of exploring to do with 23' and 17' tenders under foredeck hatches, and the potential to accommodate jet skis, light aircraft, sailing dinghies and fishing/diving equipment, and even vehicles aboard.

2. 121' “M4” / Builder: Sunseeker / Estimated: $24.5M
Sunseeker’s new 121’ combines the latest high-tech construction techniques, materials, and most up-to-date systems to leave navigating her across seas to your fingertips. A custom-made Tijssen Elektro control system allows a captain to centrally manage engines, generators, electrics, tanks, water-making/sewage treatment, and systems monitoring through touch-screens. All you need is one finger to manage the joystick-controlled power bow and stern thrusters and electronic throttle steering – a first for Sunseeker. And you can do so from the helm seat, which has duplicate mouse and thumb-size joystick controls set in the armrests.

For maximum comfort, no mechanical/electrical components exist above or below guest staterooms, which means they will not hear the sounds of normal operations, nor when repairs or maintenance takes place. And unlike most yachts, the main lounge faces aft instead of forward, with a large flat-screen TV separating the salon from the lobby/aft deck, that can swivel to face inward or outward.

SHOW DEBUT

108' Viking Custom Yacht by San Lorenzo / Estimated: $11M
The focal area of the 108 San Lorenzo is her social galley – which takes up more than half of the main deck from amidships to bow. An evolution of the country kitchen, this large dining/lounge area features state-of-the-art residential-size appliances in gleaming stainless steel, a central island with a top sculpted in rainforest marble, Zimbabwe marble countertops to set off the rich tones of custom mahogany cabinetry, and a raised dinette forward providing endless horizon views through surrounding windows, or of the 45" TV visible from anywhere in the room. From the social galley, there are separate entrances to the master and guest accommodation areas below deck. To port, a stairway leads to the pilothouse, where a skylight with etched design allows light to stream all the way down to the private master staircase and landing, accented in rich marble inlays.

The show’s five in-water sites at Bahia Mar Yachting Center, Hall of Fame Marina, Las Olas Marina, Fort Lauderdale Grande Hotel & Yacht Club, and Pier 66 Marina will play host to these, and close to 200 more new and brokerage superyachts on display, including:

188' Lady Sheridan, Builder: Abeking & Rasmussen
157' Marathon, Builder: Christensen
142' Azure Leisure, Builder: Palmer Johnson
130' M/Y, Builder: Westport
120' M/Y, Builder: Benetti
116' M/Y, Builder: Lazzara
105' M/Y, Builder: Calixas
92' Euterpre, Builder: Broward
88' Koala, Builder: Burger

… and many, many more.

Source: Show Management