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The 2026 Palm Beach International Boat Show Round-Up
The 44th edition of the Palm Beach International Boat Show (PBIBS) has officially drawn to a close, cementing its reputation as America’s Favourite Boat Show. Spanning the vibrant waterfront of Flagler Drive, this year's event transformed downtown West Palm Beach into a global epicenter of maritime luxury, hosting over 55,000 attendees and more than 600 exhibiting brands.
The scale of the 2026 show was nothing short of breath-taking, with over $1.2 billion worth of marine inventory on display. The fleet grew to include 215 superyachts—a modern lineup with an average age of just over 10 years, occupying a massive 8.02 kilometers of dock space.
The 2026 lineup was headlined by some of the most impressive vessels currently on the water. The crown jewel of the show was the 78.4 meter ROCINANTE from Lürssen, which took the top spot as the largest yacht in attendance. Other heavyweights included the 76.5 meter BOARDWALK by Feadship and the 67 meter AMOR À VIDA by CRN, which made its highly anticipated US show debut.
Innovation was the theme of the week, with 138 recorded debuts across superyachts and production models. Key highlights included:
- Westport W135: Making its first public appearance as the successor to the legendary W130 series.
- Numarine 40MXP: A 40-meter explorer designed for long-range cruising with a 6,000-nautical-mile range.
- Mangusta GranSport 50: Unveiled on day two, this 50-meter addition to the GranSport series emphasises an elevated onboard lifestyle
The commercial weight of PBIBS was evident through significant market activity. One of the week's biggest stories was the sale of the 82-meter Project Bond by Bilgin Yachts, the yard's largest build to date. In another headline-grabbing announcement, tennis star Carlos Alcaraz commissioned a customised Sunreef Ultima 88 catamaran, highlighting the growing demand for spacious, stable multihulls.
While the superyachts were the stars, PBIBS 2026 offered a full lifestyle experience. The AquaZone remained a fan favorite, providing live demonstrations of the latest water toys and gear, while VIP attendees enjoyed enhanced hospitality in exclusive lounges along the waterfront.
As the final yachts depart the Palm Beaches, the 2026 edition leaves a lasting impression of an industry in peak form. With a fleet valued in the billions and record-breaking interest, the countdown to 2027 has already begun.
"This year’s event brought an exceptional collection of yachts, innovation, and experiences to the waterfront that reflect both the strength of the marine industry and the energy of the Palm Beach community."
"This year’s event brought an exceptional collection of yachts, innovation, and experiences to the waterfront that reflect both the strength of the marine industry and the energy of the Palm Beach community."
Andrew Doole, President, U.S. Boat Shows with Informa Markets