The Fort Lauderdale Boat Show sets sail for the 61st time beginning tomorrow. The floating docks are in place, boats of every size are filling the Bahia Mar slips and the exhibition tents are up. FLIBS 2020 is ready to roll.

“We are truly excited about welcoming guests to this year’s show,” says FLIBS organizer Andrew Doole. “It’s been a long road to get here, but it’s all been worthwhile. We have a great show planned.” More than 500 boats will be on display, with a big focus on center console sports boats. As always, the show will feature high-performance craft located at the Red Zone. Because of the pandemic, the show is expected to be somewhat scaled-down—many European superyacht owners and crews were reluctant to travel to the U.S. and go through tough quarantine restrictions when they return, so FLIBS’ much-loved Superyacht Village at Pier 66 has been cancelled for 2020. Here are the high-performance craft you can expect to see in Lauderdale:

MTI

As it did last year, Marine Technology Inc. of Wentzville, MO, is displaying two of its popular 42V center consoles. But while their 340X catamaran grabbed the spotlight in 2019, this year, the 390X cat will have its moment under the Florida sun. MTI owner Randy Scism and his team members will also be offering demo rides by appointment at Haulover Marine Center, based in north Miami, by calling (314) 803-8842 (as Lauderdale is a locked-in show with no demos available). Check out MTI at Red Zone Dock 28.

MYSTIC

DeLand, FL-based Mystic—builder of the six-time Top Gun competitor at the Lake of the Ozarks Shootout, American Ethanol—will display two of the models it had at the 2019 exhibit: a An M4200 center console powered by quad 450Rs, along with an M3800 center console. After a number of Mystic’s customers told the builder that they liked the look and styling of the M4200 but simply didn’t need a boat that big, the M3800 was born. It’s the perfect sized boat for those who want to be fast and fashionable at a lower price point. Meet the team, including company owner John Cosker, at Red Zone Dock H/I 25-26.

FOUNTAIN / BIG THUNDER MARINE

For more than 40 years, when boaters think of performance boats, one of the fastest names that comes to mind is Fountain Powerboats. Builder of an impressive array of luxury, sport and fishing-oriented center consoles, four Fountains will be on display by dealership Big Thunder Marine, headed up by Jeremy Anderson. Here’s what you’ll find there:
• A 43NX with amazing paint, quad 450s and Seakeeper;
• A 34SC, all custom and also with an amazing paint job;
• A 38LS, “Perfect for our Florida store,” Anderson says;
• A 38TE, which has been set up for hardcore fishing.
You can find them at Red Zone G/H Dock 6-8 and 12.

PERFORMANCE BOAT CENTER

The mega-dealership, with locations in Osage Beach, MO, as well as Hollywood, FL, traditionally displays its brands at the boat show (including Sunsation and Wright Performance), but opted out of appearing at the 2020 edition of the show. However, the company is offering demo rides on Oct. 29 to Nov. 1 on a 360 Wright Performance and a 40 CCX Sunsation at a location near the show. For more information, call or text Mindi at (954) 410-3803.

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