If there’s one place that proves performance boating is alive and well, it’s the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show — and this year’s lineup is packed with serious muscle. From Cigarette’s iconic V-bottoms to Deep Impact’s monster six-engine center consoles, here’s what caught our eye as the biggest names in go-fast boating rolled into Bahia Mar.
CIGARETTE Racing Team
Nobody does high-performance style quite like Cigarette Racing, and this year they showed up in full force with a fleet that screams power — the 41 Nighthawk, 42 Auroris, and the big, bad 52 Thunder. But the real treat for hardcore fans is the 42X, the only true high-performance V-bottom at the entire show, packing twin Mercury Racing 1100s.
And if you’re a Cigarette loyalist, make sure you stop by to meet Scot Conrad and Wally Castro, the new faces behind Cigarette of South Florida. These guys are ready to talk boats, horsepower, and everything that makes Cigarette such a legend.
DEEP IMPACT Custom Boats
Just a year after shaking up the scene with the 499, Deep Impact is back with another head-turner — the brand-new 449, debuting right here at FLIBS. The 449 carries the same wide beam as its bigger sibling but takes it up a notch, becoming the only boat in its class capable of running six Mercury Racing 500Rs.
On top of that, owner Mark Fischer just announced a new Factory Direct sales model, with longtime team member Mike Villardi now leading sales. Fischer says the shift will help Deep Impact “expand its reach in the performance boating arena.” Sounds like big things are coming.
If you’re in town Friday night, don’t miss their VIP reception at the in-water Bahia Mar booth — it’s shaping up to be one of the weekend’s must-attend gatherings.
Mercury Racing
You can’t have a performance boat show without Mercury Racing — and they’ve once again rolled in their full-blown mobile display rig at Bahia Mar Marina. From the latest outboards and props to all the new gear and apparel, it’s your one-stop shop for the world’s best go-fast hardware.
If you can’t make it to FLIBS, don’t worry — the same rig heads straight to Key West Powerboat Village next week for even more horsepower overload.
Midnight Express
The crew at Midnight Express never disappoints, and this year’s lineup proves why. They’ve got boats ranging from 37 to 52 feet, including the jaw-dropping new 49’ NYX, powered by five Mercury Racing 500Rs.
Owners Eric and Harris Glaser will also be bringing at least two of the new 49s to the 33rd Annual Key West Powerboat Week, setting a new record with more than 20 Midnight Express owners running in the event. That’s one serious showing of high-end horsepower.
Mystic Powerboats
You can always count on Mystic to bring class, speed, and a little flash — and this year they’re showing off everything from the sleek C4000 catamaran to their latest center console creations. The star of the show, though, is the AOA Special Edition 52’, a custom masterpiece built for Chris Richards and powered by four Mercury 600 V12s.
You’ll see this beauty again soon — it’s headed to the Key West Powerboat Week Sponsor Dock from November 6–10, and it’s sure to be one of the event’s top draws.
Nor-Tech Hi Performance Boats
Taking prime real estate right at the entrance of the Performance Dock, Nor-Tech is back at FLIBS with four of its hottest models, from the 34’ up to the 45’ center consoles. The highlight? The brand-new 40’ Supercat, packing quad Mercury Racing 500Rs.
Nor-Tech kicks things off in style with their traditional VIP welcome reception Wednesday night at 7 PM — always one of the best hangouts of the show.
Performance Boat Center
You can always count on Performance Boat Center to bring something wild — and this year’s display doesn’t disappoint. For the cat fans, the Performance P420 is the new demo queen, powered by twin Mercury Racing 500s and ready to make waves in Key West next week.
If center consoles are more your thing, check out the Sunsation 34 CCX in nardo red, rocking triple Mercury Racing 400R V10s. With that look and that power, this just might be the sexiest CCX ever to come out of Michigan.
From FLIBS to Key West, performance boating is alive, loud, and looking better than ever. Stay tuned — we’ll be covering the next stop on the circuit as these boats make their way south for the Key West Powerboat Week and Offshore World Championship!