If you’re headed to the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show (FLIBS) this year, running October 29 - November 2, 2025, make room on your shortlist for the Aquitalia Yachts 78 Fly. The model has been gaining traction in the U.S. since its stateside debut season, and FLIBS is the perfect setting to evaluate it alongside the usual Italian and British benchmarks in the 75–80-foot class. With order books open in North America and multiple dealers actively representing the line, you’ll find real opportunities to compare specs, sit with brand reps, and explore customization paths that fit your program.
For more information on the Aquitalia brand or your options to purchase the 78 Fly, please contact our UYS Brand Manage Aaron Leatherwood at (561) 313-4922 or by email at ALeatherwood@UnitedYacht.com.
Here are 5 reasons you can't miss the new 78 Fly at FLIBS!
1.) Big-boat volume in a 78-footer (and a true five-cabin option)
On paper, the Aquitalia 78 Fly sits squarely in its class at 77' 12" LOA with a 20-foot beam, but the interior feels a size up. Dealers showcasing the boat in the U.S. repeatedly call out its class-leading interior volume, and listings specify five cabins, a configuration that’s rare at this length without severe compromises to salon space or crew areas. That matters if you cruise with extended family, need flexible guest layouts, or want to tap occasional charter to offset ownership costs. Inspecting the 78 Fly in person at FLIBS lets you verify headroom, traffic flow, and storage - details that often get lost in spec sheets. This all translates to generous shoulder room in passageways and the ability to carry a proper country-kitchen galley or dedicated dining, features that help the boat live like something larger when you’re aboard for weeks, not weekends.
2.) Semi-custom flexibility you can lock in at the show
Aquitalia positions the 78 Fly as semi-custom: buyers can select interior finishes, exterior colors, stabilization systems, and even from a variety of main propulsion packages. That’s exactly the kind of decision set that benefits from face-to-face time with the dealer and factory reps - touching materials, comparing machinery options, and understanding weight, serviceability, and lead-time trade-offs. We have both a 2024 78 Fly available now and there is a 2026 model under construction now, which is crucial information if you’re balancing a current boat sale or planning a milestone cruise on a specific timeline. Spend an afternoon at FLIBS and learn about your customization options.
3.) Shallow draft for Florida, the Bahamas, and the ICW
The 78 Fly’s design draft is about 4.0 feet, a significant advantage for South Florida waters, Bahamas sandbars, and sections of the Intracoastal that can challenge other yachts with deeper drafts. A shallow-draft 78-footer broadens your itinerary without constantly living by the tide table; it also adds margin when you’re exploring new anchorages or backing into marinas with shifting shoals. If your cruising life is split between Fort Lauderdale, the Keys, and the Abacos, this single spec may be the reason the Aquitalia makes more sense than a deeper-keel competitor. FLIBS gives you a chance to confirm real-world numbers with the team that’s running the boats and to discuss stabilization and prop package choices that complement shallow-water performance.
4.) Outdoor living space and a flybridge made for long days aboard
Reviews of the 78 Fly repeatedly point to a spacious flybridge and strong outdoor-living ergonomics - think generous sunpads, protected dinettes, and a helm area that’s as social as it is functional. That matters on a yacht intended to spend most of its time in warm water: the fly becomes your living room, the aft deck your dining room, and the bow lounge your sunset theater. The Aquitalia’s design pedigree blends European styling cues with a layout that feels very “American use-case,” with practical deck spaces and easy transitions up and down. Seeing the boat at FLIBS lets you measure sightlines from the upper helm, check rail heights, and visualize shade coverage with hardtop and enclosure options before you sign a build sheet.
5.) A new brand with momentum - and real U.S. presence with United Yacht Sales
Part of the appeal here is timing. Aquitalia has been pushing strongly into North America with United Yacht Sales, media coverage, and multiple public showings- including a North American debut season in 2024 - and now our Demo 78 Fly can be a perfect opportunity for a buyer looking for a boat show deal. At the show, you can meet the team that will stand behind your boat, discuss warranty and service networks, and see where the finish quality sits relative to familiar names like Azimut or Sunseeker.
The Aquitalia Yachts 78 Fly threads a compelling needle: big-boat interior volume in a sub-80-foot package, real semi-custom choice on systems and finishes, shallow-draft access that suits Florida-to-Bahamas cruising, and a flybridge ready for the way you actually use your boat. Pair that with a brand that’s investing in North America and you’ve got a strong reason to step aboard at FLIBS 2025 - before the best build slots are spoken for.
For more information on the Aquitalia brand or your options to purchase the 78 Fly, please contact our UYS Brand Manage Aaron Leatherwood at (561) 313-4922 or by email at ALeatherwood@UnitedYacht.com.
