5 Hot New Boat Models from the Miami Boat Show 2025
Fun, forward-thinking models that debuted at MIBS this year.
March 8, 2025
Each year over Valentine’s Day weekend, new boats surge onto the waters off Miami to wow crowds looking for new power and sailboats and each year, no one walks away disappointed. This February was no exception with dozens of hot models launched. Let’s look at five highlights that made waves.
Beneteau Swift Trawler 54
Above: 2026 Beneteau Swift Trawler 54. Photo via Ancasta Salcombe in Factory, France.
It’s been over two decades since French builder Beneteau introduced their line of fast trawlers. Since then, the Swift Trawler range has turned out approximately 1,500 hulls which captured the imagination of distance cruisers who still enjoyed a good turn of speed when it was time to run from a storm. The new Bill Dixon-designed Swift Trawler 54 takes many of its cues from the line’s flagship, the ST 62, with generous stowage options, copious comfort features, and excellent seakeeping abilities. The twin Cummins 550-hp engines maximize fuel efficiency when running 8-12 knots, offer a range of 2,500 mile at slower speeds, and can pick up to a max of 17 knots if needed. Proportional thrusters are linked to the joystick for precision control when docking.
The flybridge includes storage for SUPs or kayaks, features a summer galley with a full grill, and holds an array of solar panels that are part of a “silent running upgrade” with large energy storage capabilities for easy living aboard. Inside, the central galley offers gas or electric cooking and tucks in between the salon and the pilothouse from where it can serve both easily. An interior staircase leads from here to the flybridge, negating a need for exterior stairs in the cockpit. A full-beam master and two guest cabins are below and a crew cabin may be added to the transom. There’s absolutely nothing cruisers will miss on this versatile machine designed to live like a home and travel like a superyacht.
LEEN 72 Trimaran
Above: A LEEN 72 Trimaran. Photo by LEEN Trimarans.
You could see the distinctive hull of the LEEN 72 power trimaran from the bridge on the McArthur Causeway. This massive cruiser looks like a battleship on the prowl. Designed by Pierre Frutschi, the model is meant for long-range exploring up to 3,500 nautical miles at an 8-knot cruise with over 1,000 gallons of fuel and a 330-400-hp single Cummins diesel in the main hull. There are also two 20kW electric motors in the outer amas that make maneuvering this beast a snap and when combined with the main engine, they deliver a fast cruise of 15-18 knots. You can also run on these motors alone for about two hours at six knots for greener cruising.
The layout includes 3-5 cabins with the master on the main deck to starboard. The galley is amidships to serve the salon as well as the pilot house. The interior helm is well laid out and stairs lead from here up to the second helm on the flybridge that is so large, it feels like a massive dance floor. But by far the favorite part for techie types is the enormous engine room with walkaround access to the engine, a separate lithium battery room, and standup headroom all around including by the genset. This is an owner operator’s dream and a thing of beauty as is the dinghy garage that swallows up a large jet tender. Alex Sastre of Performance Yacht Sales noted that the base price is $2.4 million and as equipped, hull number two was available for $3.7 million.
Monterey 30 Elite
Above: A 2026 Monterey ELITE boat on the water. Photo via Emerald Coast Marine in Niceville, Florida.
If dayboating is more your speed but you’re still looking for a lot of luxury and capability, check out the new Monterey 30 Elite. Family boating on a 30-footer never felt this plush. Monterey started with their VST hull that is designed to plane faster and minimize bow rise. They then added twin outboards (either 250- or 300-hp) that make this model fly. Joystick maneuvering tames all that power at the dock to build confidence for the skipper. The posh helm feels like a high-end sports car with a steering wheel that has paddles, a 12-inch Simrad screen for ship control, and a charging dock to keep your devices ready to capture and post the day’s adventures.
The stowage options on this compact platform seem endless. Two transom seats lift to reveal storage below as well as access to the bilge, batteries and wiring. These seats also flip to create forward or aft-facing lounges or you can lay them flat for a full sunbed. Just ahead is the mezzanine seat with stowage or a removable cooler below and to port is a sink and a cubby for a trash receptacle. At the bow, there are twin lounges with moveable backrests and of course, two more portable coolers tucked below the seats. But the nicest surprise is the head below the center console. It’s the largest in this segment of the industry and can also serve as a stowage area or a changing station. Pricing starts around $200,000 and moves up to nearly $300,000 depending on equipment and options.
Aquila Coupe 46 Catamaran
Above: 2026 Aquila Coupe 46 Catamaran. Photo by Aquila Boats.
Aquila introduced two new catamarans in their coupe line (42C and 46C) both of which feature the company’s Hydro Glide Foil System that was previously available only on the 36 Sport Cat. The foiling system provides a smoother ride and it improves fuel efficiency by up to 35% which also extends range. The foil is an underwater bar that spans the hulls and lifts the boat at cruising speeds to provide more power without the need for larger, more expensive and fuel-hungry outboards. In fact, the 46C runs with just two V12 600-hp Mercury outboards. With their game-changing lower unit pivoting column, these engines’ cowlings don’t rotate so they need less room and fit into the narrow spaces on either side of the swim platform.
The cockpit of the 46C is a busy area with twin sunbeds that make into aft and forward-facing seats, an electric Sunshade, and an inviting bar area with triple stools that face into the galley on the port side interior. Also in the cockpit is a double-sized Kenyon grill to starboard and side access doors for ease-of-use at the dock. Inside, the dinette to starboard is just behind the helm where triple bucket seats face twin Raymarine displays and a comprehensive dash. Engine throttles and a joystick are on the outboard console. The interior is asymmetrical so the walkthrough to the open bow is offset to port. The large master suite and head are in the starboard hull with guest accommodations to port. Both cabins offer giant hull windows for fabulous, apartment-style views. Starting price for the 46C is $1million plus.
Lagoon 60
Above: A Lagoon 60 yacht. Photo by Lagoon Yachts.
Although new sailboat models were mostly missing at this year’s show, one mammoth sailing cat did make its US debut. The Lagoon 60 replaces the successful 620 of which 169 units were sold. Those are big shoes to fill but this French cat is up to the task offering plenty of space to accommodate a crowd between its four social gathering spots: 1) the forward cockpit that’s accessed via a full door, 2) the aft cockpit with hull sides that lower into deck wings and a hydraulic platform that extends the aft deck, 3) the immense flybridge, and of course 4) the commodious salon inside. The Lagoon 60 is available with five cabins when a main deck galley is spec’d or four cabins with a galley-down layout.
The rig was moved forward, creating space for a larger square-top mainsail. An overlapping genoa provides more power and a Code 0 works well in light air. Upwind sail area is nearly 2,500 square feet. Although an experienced couple could manage this large cat on their own, it’s likely this model will do heavy work in crewed charter and will likely have professional crew in private ownership. Pricing depends on options but expect it to be north of $3 million.
So Much to See
This is just a smattering of the mind-blowing models out there but it’s a comprehensive cross section of the kinds of boating available today. No matter what’s on your list, its’ likely that someone is building the perfect boat for you, and let’s face it, browsing boats at a boat show is educational as well as entertaining. Happy shopping.
