Buying a Motor Yacht at FLIBS 2026: Start With a Plan

Buying a motor yacht at FLIBS should begin well before you step onto the dock. The goal is not to see the most yachts. It is to identify the ones worth your time, understand what separates them, and leave with a clear path toward the right purchase.

The Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show runs October 28 through November 1, 2026. That gives us a date to work toward, but the most useful preparation starts now.

Whether you are moving into your first crewed yacht, stepping up in size, or replacing a yacht you have enjoyed for years, I would start with the same question: What do you want your next yacht to make possible?

Longer trips with family? More room for guests without giving up privacy? A Bahamas season followed by summers up north? A different balance between performance, comfort, and time aboard?

Those answers should shape your shortlist. The show should help you compare the best candidates, not decide your priorities for you.

Buy for the Experience You Want

I would not tell a buyer to avoid a larger yacht simply because it is a step up. I would ask whether that step delivers something meaningful.

An additional stateroom matters if it brings the whole family aboard comfortably. A different crew layout matters if it supports the service and privacy you want. More outdoor space matters if that is where you intend to spend your time.

Before we start comparing yachts, I want to understand:

• Life aboard: Who will join you, how often, and for how long?
• Cruising plans: Where do you want to go, and which destinations are nonnegotiable?
• Crew and management: How involved do you want to be in daily operations?
• Practical requirements: What must the yacht accommodate, from tenders and water toys to working remotely?
• Ownership budget: What are you comfortable committing beyond the purchase price?

This is not about talking you into more yacht or less yacht. It is about finding the right yacht for the way you actually want to live.

Make the Shortlist Earn Its Place

A beautiful yacht deserves a look. A place on your acquisition shortlist deserves more scrutiny.

For each candidate, I want to know why it belongs there. Does it meet your cruising requirements? Does the layout work for your family and crew? Is its condition consistent with the asking price? What questions need answers before we spend more time aboard?

I would rather arrange thoughtful visits to a handful of strong candidates than fill your day with yachts that miss a fundamental requirement.

I also would not make “exhibited at the show” a requirement. Our search should consider suitable yachts available for viewing nearby, with appointments arranged where access can be confirmed.

The shortlist should serve your purchase, not the show map.

Look Beyond the Presentation

Enjoy the styling, the furnishings, and the view from the aft deck. Then ask what supports the experience.

My evaluation would focus on maintenance history, machinery condition, documented upgrades, and upcoming service requirements. If a yacht is described as extensively refitted, I want to understand exactly what was done, when it was completed, and what records support the work.

I also want to separate cosmetic improvements from investment in the systems you will depend on. New upholstery and a machinery overhaul should not be treated as interchangeable evidence of condition.

A show visit is a chance to decide whether a yacht deserves further investigation. It is not a substitute for an independent survey, appropriate machinery inspections, and a sea trial.

Before moving forward, we should have a plan for that diligence, including the right specialists and realistic scheduling.

Compare the Ownership Picture, Not Just the Asking Price

I would not call a yacht good value simply because its asking price is lower than another yacht’s. I want to compare what you are buying and what you may need to spend next.

That means reviewing the purchase alongside anticipated service, any immediate refit, crew, dockage, insurance, and your intended cruising program. It also means testing the asking price against relevant market evidence, with attention to differences in condition, equipment, and history.

For a buyer moving up, I would add another question: How does the acquisition fit with the sale or continued ownership of your current yacht?

The objective is not to predict every expense. It is to make a decision with a realistic understanding of the commitments and trade-offs.

Bring Your Tax Advisor Into the Conversation Early

If a genuine charter or other qualifying business operation is part of your plan, tax planning deserves a place in the discussion before you select a yacht. Current federal rules provide 100% bonus depreciation for qualifying property acquired and placed in service after January 19, 2025, subject to applicable requirements.

That is not an automatic write-off for a yacht purchase: personal use does not qualify, and eligibility and the deductible amount depend on the applicable property and business-use rules. Entertaining clients aboard is not a shortcut, either; the IRS generally disallows depreciation and operating deductions for entertainment facilities, including yachts. (IRS Publication 946; IRS Publication 463)

Timing matters for buyers seeking a deduction in their 2026 tax year: signing a contract or making a deposit is not the same as placing the yacht in service, which requires it to be ready and available for the qualifying use. Passive-activity limitations and potential depreciation recapture also need to be evaluated by your advisor. (IRS Publication 946; IRS Form 8582 instructions)

My role is to help evaluate the yacht and coordinate the acquisition timeline. Your tax advisor should determine whether the proposed ownership and operating plan qualifies and what the benefit would actually be.

Buy the right yacht for the right reasons. Then determine whether the tax treatment supports the plan.

Leave FLIBS With a Clear Next Step

Before we board your first yacht, I want to know what would make the show successful for you. It might be narrowing three candidates to one, deciding between two very different ownership experiences, or finding a yacht worth putting under contract with appropriate protections.

After each visit, we should capture what worked, what did not, and what remains unanswered. If a yacht stands out, the next conversation should be specific: supporting records, valuation, offer terms, diligence, and a realistic path to delivery.

There is no reason to force a purchase because the show is ending. There is every reason to be prepared when the right opportunity appears.

Let’s Build Your FLIBS Plan

If you are considering a larger motor yacht, let’s talk before the show. Share your preferred size range, purchase budget, cruising plans, timing, and whether you have a yacht to sell.

At Luke Brown Yachts, I can help you build a focused shortlist, coordinate viewings, and map out the questions we need to answer before you move forward.

Contact Paul Denton at Luke Brown Yachts to arrange your pre-show motor yacht consultation. Let’s make your time at FLIBS count.

Anyone can hand you a show map. The right broker hands you a plan.