We told you about the hot new boats premiering at the Fort Lauderdale boat show a few short months ago and we’re sure not going to let up in 2016, which kicks into high gear this February with the Progressive Miami International Boat Show. This is bound to be an interesting show, especially because it has an entirely new venue for 2016. What you really want to know about, of course, is what hot new boats will be introduced at the show. Here are five that we expect to set the water on fire.

azimut 66 fly

The Azimut 66 Fly will make its first appearance at the 2016 Miami boat show.


Azimut 66 Fly


Azimut has been hot this year, rolling out new models like the 2016 77S, and the 2016 Atlantis 43. And for Miami they keep the heat turned up high, with the introduction of the 66 Fly.

This is a 68’2” long, 17’2” wide yacht, powered by a pair of 1,150 HP CAT C18 diesel inboards. As usual, Azimut's Italian design has plenty of flair and eye-grabbing looks. Also grabbing is the fact that this boat has four cabins plus a crew’s quarters, and four heads. The look is similar to Azimut’s Dragon model, which was designed specifically for the Chinese market—yet this version clearly has all the amenities US yachters expect. The massive flybridge has a helm station, a dinette with settee, and loungers; the master stateroom is a full-beam amidships; and the huge swim platform lowers to create a “beach”.

For more information, visit Azimut.

boston whaler 280 outrage

Come see the Boston Whaler 280 Outrage, new for 2016, at the Miami boat show.


Boston Whaler 280 Outrage


We’ve seen Boston Whaler grow the Outrage line substantially in the past year or so, with blockbusters like the 420 Outrage and the 330 Outrage. But we haven’t seen anything new in the mid-size range lately—until now. The 280 Outrage will be hitting the water with upgrades like a newly-designed leaning post (which incorporates a 40 gallon livewell, a rigging station, and a pair of uber-comfy bolster seats with flip-down arm rests), a standard integrated hard top, and a unique bow seating arrangement Whaler introduced at this fall’s Fort Lauderdale boat show, on the 330. Instead of flanking benches, there’s a C-shaped seat in the bow and a large forward-facing console lounger.

The 280 can be powered with twin 250 to 350 HP engines—yes, at just 28’0” LOA this boat can handle 700 horses. And the performance with 350’s is just as sick as you suspect. Top-end is 61.0 MPH and at a mellow 4500 RPM cruise, the boat zips along at 43.6 MPH. Even with the twin 250’s this boat still has plenty of pep, hitting 52 MPH and cruising at 35 MPH.

See listings for the Boston Whaler 280 Outrage.

For more information, visit Boston Whaler.

leopard 43

You can do some serious cruising, aboard the Leopard 43.


Leopard 43


Power cruisers interested in maximizing both space and stability will want to check out the latest power catamaran cruiser from Leopard, the Leopard 43. This is a Robertson & Caine build, with exterior design handled by the Dutch firm Simonis Voogd Design.

Like many cruising cats this one is built more for comfort than speed, with a 24 knot top-end. Power comes via a pair of 220 HP diesels, and dockside handling is excellent thanks to the wide spacing of the engines. Speaking of wide: beam is an enormous 22’1”. That makes for a monstrous cabin, which can be laid out in either three stateroom or four-stateroom versions. The Leopard 43 also has a huge flybridge, with entertaining perks like an electric grill, wet bar, and sun lounge.

See the to-be-built Leopard 43 listing.

For more information, visit Leopard.

regal 23 obx

Ready for a good time? The new Regal 23 OBX is, too.


Regal 23 OBX


The Regal 23 OBX is an outboard-powered deckboat, the only one in Regal’s line-up. Seeing it appear on the horizon isn’t any shock, though, because many builders have been adding outboard models to their stern-drive lines—just look at boats like the Sea Ray 240 Sundeck, and the Stingray 192SC, both of which are from builders who previously stuck with stern drives.

The 23 OBX features expanded bow seating, a choice between 200 and 250 HP power options, and perhaps most importantly, a “wrap-around” swim platform that does its best to reclaim some of the swim platform space commonly lost when you trade the stern-drive in for an outboard. Other highlights include resin transfer molded hatches, composite stringers, forward/aft convertible cockpit seating, a Fusion sound system, an enclosed head compartment, and a standard Garmin GPS with integrated WiFi.

See Regal 23 OBX listings.

For more information, visit Regal.

taho 450 ts

The Taho 450 TS is going to be a great place to start, especially for beginner boaters on a budget.


Tahoe 450 TS


This small (18’5” long, 7’10” wide) outboard-powered runabout looks like an excellent option for new boaters, with a MSRP that’s well under $25,000. Few bowriders are available at a price-point this low, and it includes a 90 HP EXLPT Mercury FourStroke and a custom-fit single-axel trailer.

Although many price-conscious boats carry an artificially low sticker price (the real-world cost grows as you add must-have features) the base-package Tahoe isn’t stripped. Not by a long-shot; items like an AM/FM/MP3 stereo with Bluetooth, integrated coolers, bucket seats, and a full-width sunpad, are all included as standards. Plus, this is an unusual design for an outboard-powered bowrider. Tahoe puts the sunpad over the transom area, and extends it relatively far forward. While this does cut down on cockpit space, it also adds back a feature that usually gets lost when you power a runabout with an outboard, as opposed to a stern drive.

See Tahoe 450 TS listings.

For more information, visit Tahoe.

Written by: Lenny Rudow
With over two decades of experience in marine journalism, Lenny Rudow has contributed to publications including YachtWorld, boats.com, Boating Magazine, Marlin Magazine, Boating World, Saltwater Sportsman, Texas Fish & Game, and many others. Lenny is a graduate of the Westlawn School of Yacht Design, and he has won numerous BWI and OWAA writing awards.
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