One key highlight of the fall boat show season each year is the introduction of new boats and products—we all clamor for the new technology and fawn over the new offerings in sleek fiberglass, glowing wood or nowadays, high-tech carbon fiber. 

And so, under perfectly sunny fall Rhode Island skies, the 2024 Newport International Boat Show announced its winners of the annual Newport for New Products awards. An annual industry highlight, NFNP entries were open to domestic and foreign products that were nationally launched after April 1, 2024, and made their boat show debut at Newport. Show attendees selected the People’s Choice Award winner, while all other category winners were selected by a team of industry experts based on innovation, value to the consumer, safety and aesthetics. On the opening day of the show, those experts (including yours truly) spent a full day on the docks checking out all the latest. This year saw the debut of 20 new powerboat entries with another nine in the sail category, as well as 18 products ranging from sailboat winches to waterproof personal gear to safety and more. Products and vessels were checked and cross-checked, and the deliberations at the end of the day could have filled a dozen boating magazines as we weighed those categories of innovation, value, safety and aesthetics. 

Bringing home the double win as Best New Large Powerboat and Overall Powerboat Winner was the Full Keel Marine NorthCoast 415HT. This quad-outboard-powered beast of a vessel is offered in cruising and fishing configurations, but what stood out to the judges was simply the beauty, size and brawn of this well-built boat. It also offers excellent value as well. 

The Newport for New Products also presented awards to the following manufacturers: 

• Best New Boating Product – Seldén Mast 3-Speed Electric/Manual Winches
  • Honorable Mention: Raymarine Smart Wind Sensors and Ugo Messenger
• Best New Sailboat – Carbon Ocean Yachts SDK 49
• Best New Small Powerboat – Solace Boats 28HCS
• Green Product Award – Elco Motor
• Green Boat Award – HYFOIL 32, Hyfoil Marine
• Accessible Product Award – Digital Yacht America Man Overboard Alert
• People’s Choice Award – Kufner 54’ Exclusive, Kufner Yachts USA

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Nancy Piffard, show director of the Newport International Boat Show, has held that title for 22 years. One of the show’s sales staff has been there 26 years. The partnerships coordinator, 35 years.

“We love our show,” Piffard says. “Skipping it in 2020 was very sad.”

Many yachtsmen who attend boat shows each year felt the same way during the pandemic and are thrilled this fall, as traditional boat shows return. The Newport show is back just in time for its 50th anniversary. The Norwalk Boat Show in Connecticut, a staple for 40-plus years, ran on September 23-26. The Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, held for more than 60 years, is set for October 27-31.

Piffard says there’s no question that boaters are most of all excited about shows returning: “Ticket sales are off the charts right now.”

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Outer Reef Yachts is planning to display two models — the 700 Outer Reef Classic and the 610 Outer Reef Classic — at the Newport International Boat Show in September.

Both models have cruising speeds of 9 to 18 knots along with maximum speeds of 13 to 22 or 23 knots, according to the builder.

The 700 Outer Reef Classic was on the cover of Yachting‘s May 2012 issue, with a story about possible customizations for cruising. “We are willing to do pretty much anything a customer wants in terms of interior finishing and arrangements as long as structural bulkheads stay in place,” Outer Reef’s founder and president, Jeff Druek, told us at the time.

What are the dates for the 2018 Newport International Boat Show? It will run September 13-16.

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The Grand Banks 60 Skylounge is scheduled to make her world debut at the Newport International Boat Show this September in Rhode Island.

This Skylounge model follows the builder’s Grand Banks 60, which premiered in 2017. The GB60 Skylounge is designed for cold and warm climates with an enclosed upper pilothouse, three staterooms and an extra seating space with a settee and table abaft the helm seats on the bridge deck.

With standard 900-horsepower Volvo D13 diesels, the GB60 Skylounge is expected to hit 31 knots, according to the builder.

“We’re not in the business of designing ugly boats, so we spent a lot of time ensuring the Skylounge looks like it belongs on the 60,” Grand Banks CEO Mark Richards stated in a press release. “And our emphasis on weight reduction and strength in the build process ensure we’re not compromising the 60’s performance and still keeping a very low vertical center of gravity.”

Additional performance specs: Cruising speed is projected at 25 knots. At 10 knots, the GB60 Skylounge should have a range of 2,000 nautical miles.

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Dates have been announced for the 48th annual Newport International Boat Show, which is scheduled September 13-16 at Newport Yachting Center in Rhode Island.

The show is expected to cover 13 acres with hundreds of equipment, electronics and other exhibitors, as well as yachts from 15 to 90 feet length overall.

Events will include the Confident Captains at the Helm instruction program. The Newport for New Products program will have awards for products making their U.S. debut.

Show hours will be 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. from September 13-15, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on September 16.

How to buy discounted tickets in advance: Keep an eye on the website. Tickets are expected to go on sale in June.

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The 2016 Newport International Boat Show featured a wide range of powerboats and sailboats and Yachting was there to walk the docks.

The show, held in mid-September, hosted nearly 600 exhibitors with vessels ranging from 15 feet to 110 feet.

Yachting‘s Editor-In-Chief, Patrick Sciacca, hopped onboard the Azimut Verve 40 as she made her first North American appearance, and took a look at the new Bertram 35.

Tiara Yachts’ Q44 has been referred to as an SUV of the sea.

Riviera’s convertible are equally at home cruising the coast or trolling for big-game over blue water.

This rugged-looking Ribcraft tender caught our eye.

This Ranger Tug 31 was born to travel.

Note the fine entry of the Palm Beach 65.

The Palm Beach 65 is built in Malaysia and offers a first-class fit-and-finish, high-tech fiberglass and carbon fiber construction, and is customizable. Build time is about 10 months.

Is this Monte Carlo is smiling at us?

Monte Carlo’s yachts have a trademark, modern version of the wave-slicing plumb bow.

MJM’s yachts provide plenty of room for aft-deck entertaining and bridge-deck cruising comfort.

The MJM 50Z offers Downeast style, solid performance and top-notch standards like a Seakeeper gyro.

We’re big fans of the Grand Banks 44 EastBay’s extended cockpit sunshade. Check out the size of that teak swim platform.

Look closely. This Gibsons, British Columbia, import from Coastal Craft, is built entirely of aluminum.

Carver’s offerings in the express cruiser segment maintain the indoor and outdoor volume the builder is known for, yet keeps the profile relatively low.

Carver offers its owner multiple outdoor entertaining areas, both in the cockpit and on the flybridge. Note the high rails offering safe transit from the cockpit to the foredeck.

A first look at the Bertram 35, inspired by the legendary Bertram 31.

A bow view of the Bertram 35.

The Back Cove 32 took best new powerboat under 35 feet at the Newport International Boat Show.

Got tender garage? This Azimut 55S does, with room to spare.

The Azimut Verve 40 made her North American debut at the Newport show. She offers a new take on the walkaround express cruiser. Cruise speed with triple 350 hp outboards? 37 knots!

What’s better than one Azimut flybridge? How about a pair?

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Newport International Boat Show logo

Applications are now being accepted for the Newport for New Products Awards, which will be announced this September at the Newport International Boat Show.

The Newport for New Products Awards—which are sponsored by Yachting, Cruising World and Sailing World—are given to new-model boats and marine products. Expert-judged categories include best new powerboat, new sailboat, new product (navigation) and new product (boat operation, maintenance and safety). There also is a People’s Choice Award for best overall debut.

All entries will be judged September 17, which is the opening day of the boat show. Winners will be announced September 18, and the show will run through September 20.

To apply: click over to www.newportboatshow.com.

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Horizon RP110

Horizon Yachts has announced plans to bring Hull No. 1 of its RP110 model to this fall’s Newport International Boat Show. Andrea VI will be located at Bannister’s Wharf and available for tours September 11-14.

The RP110 has a 25-foot beam and a standard layout that includes four en suite staterooms plus three crew quarters. Optional layouts include a five-stateroom version with a main-deck master or a country-kitchen version with all staterooms belowdecks.

Interior decor is by Marty Lowe, who aimed for “livable luxury” with contemporary styling. JC Espinosa designed the raised-pilothouse profile, and naval architecture is by Don Blount working in conjunction with the builder.

Standard outfitting includes twin 1,900-hp Caterpillar C32A engines paired to ZF reduction gears, ABT TRAC digital stabilizers, a suite of Furuno electronics at the helm and a pair of 55-kW Onan generators.

To schedule a tour of the Horizon RP110 in Newport next month, visit www.horizonyacht.com.

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Newport International Boat Show

The 2014 Newport International Boat Show, scheduled for September 11-14, will include an “At the Helm” program that lets boat owners and buyers get out on the water.

Captains licensed by the U.S. Coast Guard or certified as instructors by the U.S. Powerboating and American Sailing Association will be available to work with participants aboard vessels similar to their own boats, along with boats they may be interested in buying or chartering.

“By partnering with Confident Captain/Ocean Pros, our show guests will have the opportunity to improve their skill set with a variety of different courses designed for boaters of all levels,” said Nancy Piffard, show director at Newport Exhibition Group. “This program will enhance maneuvering, safety, navigational, powerboating and sailing skills with custom-tailored instruction based on individual needs and interest.”

Five powerboat and four sailing courses are part of the program. Each session lasts 90 minutes to three hours and requires advance registration at www.newportboatshow.com/newport-boat-show-exhibitors/at-the-helm.htm.

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More than 13 acres will be devoted to the show, with powerboats and sailboats ranging from 15 to 85 feet. Accessories, equipment, electronics and gear also will be on display. Winners will be announced in the Newport for New Products program, which recognizes the best new boats and products in America.

Attendees can sign up for educational seminars, on-water activities and training, and more.

To purchase tickets in advance, click over to www.newportboatshow.com.

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