Newport International Boat Show 2025 Recap: Debuts, Innovations & Highlights
Rounding out the highlights from NIBS 2025 where notable yachts made their debut to big crowds.
September 17, 2025
Once again, the Newport International Boat Show (NIBS) delivered a mix of yachting glamour, innovation and genuine boat-shopping excitement to close out Summer 2025. Held from Thursday, September 11 to Sunday, September 14, 2025 the show stretched across the historic Newport Harborfront as always, but this year's edition drew big crowds and featured more than 450 boats, dozens of new model launches, the always-anticipated Newport for New Products (NFNP) awards, and a strong slate of seminars and hands-on training.
Many builders chose to use NIBS 2025 as their stage for world premieres and U.S. debuts—a fact that set the show apart from some previous editions, where models often debut in MIBS, FLIBS or Cannes. Here we'll take a look at both the "show premieres” (first time at NIBS), true "world debuts" (first time shown anywhere in the world) and U.S. debuts. We'll also highlight the NFNP winners and unpack the key themes that point to where boating is headed in 2026 and beyond according to NIBS.
World Debuts
Palm Beach GT60 Jet Drive
Above: A 2026 Palm Beach Motor Yachts Palm Beach GT 60 Jet Drive listed for sale on YachtWorld by Palm Beach Motor Yachts. Photo by Palm Beach Motor Yachts.
Palm Beach Motor Yachts chose Newport 2025 as the global launchpad for its GT60 Jet Drive. This new flagship combines the sleek proportions of the GT series with Hamilton jet propulsion, creating a performance-luxury blend rarely seen at this size.
The design emphasizes efficiency at 25–30 knots, ultra-shallow draft for coastal cruising, and Palm Beach’s signature high-gloss joinery below. For performance-minded buyers who still want elegance, the GT60 Jet Drive was one of the most buzzworthy yachts of the entire show.
Back Cove 412
Another official world debut came from Maine-based Back Cove Yachts with the 412. An evolution of the successful 41, the new model brings larger cockpit space, updated helm ergonomics, and improved below-deck accommodations.
Back Cove is known for Downeast sensibility paired with owner-operated simplicity, and the 412 plays directly into that market—single diesel efficiency, smart layouts, and craftsmanship that resonates with cruisers who want timeless looks and manageable systems.
Hinckley Yachts Picnic Boat 39
Hinckley Yachts officially debuted the new Picnic Boat 39 at NIBS 2025, attracting significant attention. The boat went on to win both the Newport International Boat Show's "Best New Boat Overall" and "Best New Powerboat Under 45 Feet" awards (see below).
U.S. Debuts
Marex 440 Gourmet Cruiser
Norwegian builder Marex brought the 440 Gourmet Cruiser for its official U.S. debut. Already a hit in Europe, this 45-foot cruiser wowed visitors with its sprawling galley layout designed for serious onboard cooking. Sliding glass, aft terraces, and clever convertible seating give the 440 flexibility, while Volvo Penta IPS power ensures performance.
For American buyers who prize outdoor living space and Scandinavian efficiency, the Marex 440 GC stood out as one of the show’s most original designs.
C-Tender 55
Italian boutique builder C-Tender marked its entry into the American market with the 55, a stylish, high-performance day yacht making its U.S. debut in Newport. Its minimalist lines, luxury sunbed arrangements, and strong performance profile drew plenty of dockside photographers. Though a niche product, its appearance underscores Newport’s growing role as a gateway for European brands courting U.S. buyers.
Lagoon Catamarans Lagoon 38
The Lagoon 38 catamaran made its highly anticipated U.S. debut at NIBS 2025, presented by Aube Corbeil Marine. The premiere showcased the innovative catamaran to American buyers for the first time, offering opportunities to step aboard and explore its design, comfort, and features that position it as the next evolution in modern sailing catamarans.
Newport for New Products (NFNP) Winners
Every year, the NFNP program highlights new boats and gear making their U.S. show debut at Newport. Entrants are judged by an independent panel of industry experts, and winners often go on to become sales leaders.
Hinckley Picnic Boat 39 – Best New Boat Overall
Maine craftsmanship met modern tech in the Picnic Boat 39, which swept the top award. Hinckley has refined the picnic concept for decades, and this latest iteration combines their iconic lines with JetStick 4 joystick handling, improved deck layouts, and electric power integration.
Kadey-Krogen 60 Open – Best New Powerboat Over 45 Feet
For passagemaking enthusiasts, the new Krogen 60 Open was a showstopper. Its wide-open main deck, full-beam salon, and globe-trotting range reinforce Kadey-Krogen’s reputation for serious bluewater cruisers.
Lagoon 38 – Best New Sailboat Overall
On the sail side, the Lagoon 38 represented the latest thinking in small-catamaran cruising—compact yet surprisingly roomy, with Lagoon’s emphasis on light, space, and indoor-outdoor flow.
Mustang Survival Elite 190 Inflatable PFD – Best Wearable/Safety Gear
Not all innovation floats on a hull. Safety company Mustang Survival took honors with the Elite 190 PFD, a lightweight, ergonomic inflatable vest designed for long wear without fatigue.
Rockwolfe DC USB Charging Hub – Best Technology Product
Tech innovation matters too, and Rockwolfe’s charging hub—compact, marine-rated, with rapid-charging ports—proved a crowd-pleaser for modern boaters managing phones, tablets, and even laptops afloat.
Newport Premieres
ECLIPSE 505 Shadow
Although not a debut, the ECLIPSE 505 Shadow deserves mention for sheer presence. Marketed as its “Newport Premiere,” the 505 is a 50-foot performance boat that blends luxury finishes with an aggressive profile. Debuted earlier at Miami (MIBS), it reminded showgoers how crossover boats—part sport yacht, part luxury cruiser—are gaining traction.
Trends & Takeaways From 2025
1. Genuine Debuts Drive Buzz
The difference between “Newport Premiere” and "U.S./World Debut" may sound semantic, but this year proved buyers and press care deeply. Booths with debuts—Palm Beach, Back Cove, Marex—were consistently busy and buzzing with excitement. For boat brands, the message is clear: Newport remains a credible global stage to launch new debut models.
2. Social Spaces Dominate Design
From the Marex 440 GC’s gourmet galley to Prestige’s new layouts (though not debuts, they were well-attended), builders are leaning hard into social cockpits, terraces, drop down balconies, and al fresco entertaining zones. Even long-range trawlers like the Krogen 60 Open are designed with communal spaces front and center.
3. Downeast Heritage, Modernized
Two Maine builders—Hinckley and Back Cove—reminded everyone why New England remains a powerhouse. Their launches balanced tradition with updated systems and layouts, appealing to both loyalists and a new generation of buyers.
4. European Brands Eyeing America
The Marex 440 and C-Tender 55 reinforce a trend: European boutique builders are no longer skipping U.S. regional shows. By targeting Newport, they’re speaking directly to Northeast buyers who might otherwise only see these boats in Cannes or Genoa.
5. Tech and Training Are Growing
NFNP’s tech winners, plus IYRS-hosted seminars on lithium batteries, gelcoat repair, and electronic systems, show that audiences want to learn. Hands-on classes sold out quickly. The modern boat show is part classroom, part shopping mall.
Logistics & Atmosphere
As always, the showgrounds again stretched across Bannister’s and Bowen’s Wharves, with the expanded Brokerage Basin accommodating yachts up to nearly 100 feet. While the added space eased congestion, crowds were heavy on Friday and Saturday. Parking and shuttles remain perennial pain points, though water taxis offered some relief.
VIP ticket holders praised the new Windward Lounge, which debuted this year at NIBS with shaded seating, premium cocktails, and early dock access. For many, it turned the show into an all-day experience rather than a quick browse.
Buyer Perspective: New vs. Brokerage
Another visible shift: many shoppers compared brand-new models against lightly used brokerage listings in the same marina. With prices still historically high and delivery slots stretched, the appeal of a one- or two-year-old yacht was obvious. The expanded Brokerage Basin highlighted that reality—and suggests the line between “new boat show” and “brokerage showcase” is blurring fast.
Looking Toward 2026
What does this year’s Newport tell us about what’s next?
- Expect potentially more genuine world/U.S. debuts as builders see the marketing power of unveiling in Newport.
- Sustainability and hybrid/electric propulsion, while still niche at this show, continue to gain momentum. Don’t be surprised to see more electric dayboats or hybrid trawlers and cruisers in 2026.
- Outdoor social design will continue to dominate layouts, reflecting broader lifestyle changes in how owners use their boats.
- The NFNP program will remain an important platform for smaller innovators—gear, tech, and safety products that might otherwise get lost among the yachts.
Final Thoughts
The 2025 Newport International Boat Show will be remembered as a year of notable debuts, with world premieres from Palm Beach and Back Cove, U.S. debuts from Marex and C-Tender, and a strong slate of NFNP winners, buyers had tangible reasons to walk the docks.
The show had a great turnout, crowded floats, and yes—the usual Newport parking headaches, but the energy was undeniable. More than just a regional boat show, NIBS has evolved into an industry launchpad where builders can credibly say: this is the first place in the world you’ll see our newest creation. For serious boaters, that makes Newport more than just a pleasant September weekend—it makes it essential.
