What I Learned at the Miami Boat Show
There’s plenty happening in the dayboating world.
If you didn’t attend the Miami Boat Show, here’s what you need to know.
1 - Exciting Debuts
2 - What’s Trending?
3 - State of the Market
Last I checked, Miami wasn’t a fishing community. Nevertheless, Valhalla owns the entrance.
Exciting Debuts
Wally 58 makes its US debut ($3.2m)
Even as a beginner boater you can recognize the Wallypower.
After buying Wally in 2019, Ferretti Group is starting to pick up steam in their revamp of the historic brand. Wally launched their Wallywhy 200 in Cannes in September 2022, then turned around and made the US debut of the Wallypower 58 this past weekend in Miami. Admittedly, the Wallypower 58 has been in Europe for a bit, this is just the first hull delivered to the states. At $3.2m it’s priced under the competition, but it lacks some requests of the 58’ dayboat client. This is a specialized product for Wally lovers and those who like an edgier look and Darth Vader.
Sunseeker enters the dayboat market with the Remastered Superhawk
Will the new Superhawk expand the Sunseeker footprint or plague its dealer network with inventory?
Coincidentally, Sunseeker launched its own dayboat right around that Wallypower $3.2m price point - the Superhawk 55. The price is just about the only similarity between the Superhawk and the Wallypower 58. The Superhawk is a “boater’s” boat, fit with the expected Sunseeker fittings, lounge seats, a comfortable cabin and what you otherwise would expect from the tenured, UK-based brand. I was surprised to see them incorporate Electric Track Seating - a trendy feature of the show (see below) – but nothing about this boat made my jaw drop.
Positives: They did well on the interiors. Very comfortable and trend-forward, looking more like Sanlorenzo than a Sunseeker.
2. What’s Trending?
Electric Track Seating (“ETS”)
Manufacturers spend tons of time efficiently mapping deck seating. Since seating is (almost always) built into the boat's mold, decisions are not to be made lightly. Any changes are extremely costly, and likely impossible. Buyers started taking a liking to alternative seating arrangements (see VanDutch 40 circa 2012-2015) and the race to the perfect layout was on. Truth is, there is no perfect layout, but having options was always a plus. We’ve all seen the hi-lo system that converts a daybed into a table. I've seen enough hi-lo tables. That system is played out. Thank god for innovation. In walks the newest toy in town: Electric Track Seating. We’ll call this system “ETS”.
On my first day, I saw ETS featured on the Wajer 77, Superhawk 55 and an unlaunched project seen off site. The biggest difference between the ETS systems on each boat was whether the tracks were visible to the naked eye. Ideally, you wouldn’t see the tracks at all. I expect to see every manufacturer have some version of this within two years. The convenience is obvious, and owner’s will salivate at the thought of showing it off. Just don’t get any toes caught underneath.
Exterior beauty is nothing compared to the build quality of the Wajer product.
Wajer Quality Reigns Supreme
With so many players in the dayboat category, segmentation is afoot. One obvious evolution: there’s Wajer and there’s everyone else. The Wajer product is unquestionable, the service is superb and the allure is tangible. Just walking through Tom Brady’s new Wajer 77, “Twelve Angels”, it feels like a combination of a design catalogue and a fortress. Most of the components are made in house, simply because Wajer couldn’t find anything to match its need. After spending so much time on VanDutch products over the last decade, I can finally say there’s no comparison. Don’t get me wrong, VanDutch is an amazing boat. Wajer just happens to be on Mars.
However, I will say: I’m not a fan of the Wajer 77 layout - inside or out. I feel it’s limiting. But if you buy the boat, I don’t think you care about volume. Its more about feeling as though you’re floating by way of NASA engineers, Vogue editors and seasoned yachtsmen who all received a Noble Prize. Separately.
Congrats to Wajer on an exceptional product.
Take a Look at a Wajer Currently Available for Sale (as of 2/21/23)
I toured this 2021 Wajer 38 during the Miami Boat Show. The quality and craftsmanship is outstanding, and is realized in the price. Wajer is presenting “Summerwind” at €1,295,000.
Engines: 2 x Volvo IPS 650
Hours: 90
Length: 11.84m / 38 ft
Beam: 3.70m / 12.2 ft
Draft: 0.9 m / 3 ft
Displacement: 8.3 t (half load)
Fuel tank: 730 litres / 192 gallons
Fresh water tank: 180 litres / 47 gallons
Max. passengers: 12
Speed: 45 full / 25 cruise
Wajer has recently installed its own service and support team in the United States, which manages multiple markets including South Florida, the Hamptons and Tampa. If you need a slip in South Florida, they've just finished the build out of an internally-owned marina just north of Miami Beach Marina.
3. State of the Market
Competition at an All-Time High
Diving deeper into the the dayboat landscape, the market seems to be segmenting into outboards, hardtops & coupes, and large formats.
Vanquish turns its VQ45 into an outboard coupe. Quite unique, although it felt tight.
Outboards are now featured in many of the dayboat players: Vanquish, Wally, Pardo, Fjord, and newcomer Tesoro (which I was impressed by). Coupes are also seen by most of the same: Vanquish, Wally, Pardo and Bluegame to name a few. And when I mention large format, it’s anything over 60 feet. I’ve seen Vanquish, Pardo and VanDutch all try their hand in larger options as their clients either jump ship to Sunseeker, Princess, Pershing, Sanlorenzo or Riva, or stay in house with something larger.
MSRP PRICING REMAINS HIGH
Although the market has cooled, MSRP and secondary pricing remains high. We’re seeing a lot of Covid-buyers hesitant to sell at market values to delay a loss. This process is slowing the market’s turnover rate but unfortunately, the seller losses are inevitable unless we see another pandemic.
The good news: Buyers are returning to a place of leverage with a product selection never-before-seen in the market. The Covid cash flow sent innovation soaring, and consumers will reap the benefits over the next three-year model introduction cycle.
Dayboat Players
Its always good to take a pulse on the market players. As far as I can see, here’s a short list of those making waves in the dayboat market in alphabetical order.
Aviara
Azimut
Bluegame
Bronson (new)
Cranchi
D’Antonio
Fjord
Frauscher
Limitless (new)
Midnight Express
Okean
Pardo
Riva
Sunseeker
Tesoro (new)
VanDutch
Vanquish
Wajer
Wally
Any topics you want us to consider for a future ‘Yacht Takes’? Email assist@rnmarine.com.
