Miami Boat Show organizers predict that more than 100,000 boating enthusiasts from around the world will descend on the iconic Miami Marine Stadium on Rickenbacker Causeway for the event’s 76th appearance — Thursday, Feb. 15 through Monday, February 20 (President’s Day). The boat show is just in its second year at that location, which features a deep-water basin and nine piers with an estimated 550 boats and yachts in the water, in addition to seven tents brimming with more boats and gear. Here is a sneak peek at just a few of the new vessels, electronics, outboards and accessories you will see at this year’s show, whether you attend or whether you follow Sport Fishing daily reports or live coverage online.
Scout 380 LXF
Scout Boats expands its LXF fleet this year with the 380, powered by triple Yamaha F350 outboards. LXF stands for luxury sportfish, and this double-stepped hull — which measures 38 feet 6 inches long — showcases features to match that description. Look for standard twin in-sole fish boxes, transom and side doors, and a new raised aft-facing lounge seat/electronically actuated convertible leaning post option. The 380 will be displayed in the water on Pier 4, slip 450.
Grady-White Canyon 306
Although Grady-White calls its Canyon 306 one of its most-popular models to date, that didn’t stop the company from innovating. The re-envisioned 30-plus-footer features a new ergonomic helm layout, optional forward-facing foldaway bolstered backrests, and a new T-top with a full-height windshield. Take a look at the new 306 on pier 4, slip 410.
HydraSports Custom 39 Speciale
Built to the same rugged specifications as HydraSports Custom‘s ground-breaking 53 Sueños, the new 39 Speciale offers many features similar to its big sister. Starting at the bow, HydraSports used the same patented anchoring system as it did in the 53: The anchor stows below the deck in a flush-mount cavity, allowing the hardware to be completely visible from the helm during deployment and retrieval.
Forward, the vessel can be outfitted with a pure open-fisherman deck or with seating port and starboard, including optional backrests and fish boxes. A coffin box/sun lounge/refrigerator at the front of the center console is designed similarly to the one aboard the 5300 and 4200. The 12-volt refrigerator (or freezer) is built by Frigid Rigid.
The oversize cockpit features an aft-facing seat. The aft seat houses a rigging station as well as 12-volt refrigerators, tackle drawers, and a freshwater sink. The console is equipped with triple Garmin displays. A premium sound system, outriggers, radar, and autopilot comes standard. Completing the helm station are a fiberglass T-top and three-sided windshield.
The console interior is outfitted with a flush head, sink, and bunk and a unique vertical rod-holding system. A bow thruster is available as an option. With 526 gallons of fuel capacity, the 39 Speciale offers extreme range. Check out the HydraSports Custom exhibit on Pier 3.
Pursuit S 328
Pursuit introduced its flagship S 408 center console at last year’s Miami boat show. The company expands the line this year with the S 328.
The Sport series showcases an oversized fiberglass integrated hardtop-and-windshield system, updated classic sheerline, through-stem anchor system and integrated transom extensions. This 328 measures 34-feet-6-inches long and features a beam width of 10 feet 10 inches. It can carry twin outboards totaling 700 horsepower and offers 300 gallons of fuel capacity. See the new S 328 at the Pursuit exhibit on Pier 5, slips 516 through 536.
Cobia 280 DC
Built off Cobia’s popular 277 CC hull, this new dual console was designed to maximize usable deck space and still allow for numerous amenities and plush seating for up to 12 passengers. “Like all new Cobias, the 280 DC is a balance of the fishing features every serious fisherman needs and the comfort the family wants. We are really excited about this newest Cobia and are confident you will be as well,” says Scott Deal, president and CEO of Maverick Boat Group, parent company to the Cobia brand.
Yamaha F25, F75, F90
Trust me: This is only the tip of the iceberg for Yamaha at the Miami boat show. Sport Fishing editors will learn about some substantial new gear from the outboard company on Thursday afternoon during the show. Follow our Facebook feeds for up-to-date announcements.
With regard to what we CAN preview: Yamaha says the F25 is 25 percent lighter than its predecessor, and comes with feature that make it outperform even the traditional two-stroke version. The F75 and F90 engines are also lighter and quicker than previous versions with class-leading torque and acceleration.
Suzuki DF200SS
Suzuki Marine will introduce at the boat show a new matte-black version (with SS graphics) of its inline four-cylinder DF200, originally designed in 2014. Suzuki engineered the DF200A with a 10.3:1 compression ratio (9.7 percent greater than in the DF175A) and a new cowling to provide cooler air directly to the engine’s long-track tuned intake manifold. Twin intake and exhaust valves allow the engine to breathe more efficiently. Suzuki’s Lean Burn Technology that optimizes the fuel-to-air mixture once you establish a cruising rpm also contributes to efficiency. Knock, oxygen and water-detection sensors monitor and control engine operating parameters, resulting in superb reliability.
SeaStar SeaStation
I videotaped SeaStar’s SeaStation in action last September during a media event held by Scout Boats. However, that version was a proof-of-concept and not the finished product. SeaStation makes its full-on debut at the Miami show next week. SeaStation, a virtual anchor for use with the company’s joystick piloting system, is capable of holding a vessel in place based on its heading (the boat can spin when wind and current compete) or position (the boat’s heading might change, but its position — over structure for instance — remains the same) or both heading and position. See the system in action at Pier 3, slips 311-317.
Raymarine Axiom Multifunction Displays
Raymarine‘s new Axiom multifunction displays — with 7-, 9-, or 12-inch screens — feature quad-core performance, a new LightHouse 3 operating system with powerful, super-intuitive features and Raymarine’s new RealVision 3D Sonar. See the new technology on vessels docked at Pier 8 and on display in booth C362 (C tent).
Raymarine RealVision 3D Sonar
Raymarine RealVision 3D Sonar
Raymarine’s new RealVision 3D Sonar for Axiom units includes an all-in-one chirp Down, chirp Side, chirp Conical and 3D transducer. It also features embedded AHRS (Attitude Heading Reference System) to stabilize sonar imagery and alleviates issues caused by pitch, roll and slow vessel movement.
FLIR M100 and M200 Thermal Night-Vision Cameras
FLIR‘s M100 and M200 thermal night-vision cameras feature 320-by-240-pixel resolution, 2X digital zoom, video over IP and ClearCruise IR Analytics (for tracking dangerous objects) in the company’s smallest housing yet. The M100 ($2,495) offers adjustable tilt, while the M200 ($3,495) can pan and tilt. The cameras can detect a vessel up to three-quarters of a mile.
Furuno DFF3D Multi-Beam Sonar
Furuno‘s new DFF3D Multi-Beam Sonar allows anglers to see the depth and direction that fish schools are moving, while displaying the sea-bed condition in real time. It connects to your NavNet TZtouch/TZtouch2 MFD and has a sidebar detection range of more than 650 feet and deep-water penetration of more than 1,000 feet, ideal for saltwater-fishing applications. See the new sonar at Furuno’s booth — C260 — in the Electronics tent.
ICOM M605
ICOM‘s new M605 fixed-mount VHF features a 4.3-inch LCD color display with nearly 180 degrees of visibility. ICOM says it’s not just a radio, it’s a system that allows remote operation of up to three controllers. It also comes with Class D DSC and an integrated GNSS receiver. Visit booth C484.
By the Numbers
This year’s boat show also offers a new VIP experience and an upgraded food court, restaurants, food trucks and food carts. Get to the show using water taxis and shuttle buses (increased number from last year), or reserve a parking space ahead of time.
The VIP experience offers exclusive access to a private lounge aboard a 111-foot luxury yacht. The lounge offers upscale dining and beverages, live music, an open-air sky deck, private restrooms, complimentary Wi-Fi, luxury product displays and services and more. Prices range from $70 to $100.
Regular admission to the show costs $25 for one day, Friday through Monday. Admission on Thursday’s Premier Day is $40. Group and multi-day tickets are also available. Visit miamiboatshow.com for more information.
Scenes from the 2016 Miami International Boat Show
