SACS Expands in Florida as PIRELLI 47 Makes US Debut

Four boats and a new American base

SACS Marine plans to use the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show from 28 October to 1 November 2026 for two United States debuts within its PIRELLI Speedboats range and a wider display of Rebel craft. The Italian group has also outlined plans for SACS Marine Americas Corp., a permanent operation with offices and berthing on Fort Lauderdale's 17th Street. The announcement matters to superyacht operators because the company's range includes premium dayboats, larger chase boats and support craft used alongside yachts above 24 metres.

The proposed American facility gives the Florida show a commercial purpose beyond a temporary display stand. Owners, captains and brokerage teams looking for specialist tenders or chase boats often need access to a local organisation after delivery for servicing, parts and advice. SACS describes its initiative as a step toward more direct customer relationships, although the announcement does not establish a complete service-network timetable or specify how many vessels it expects to sell.

PIRELLI 47 Open makes its US appearance

One of the debuting boats is the PIRELLI 47 Open, a 14.75-metre model with a broad walkaround deck and an extended hardtop. The version planned for Fort Lauderdale uses three Mercury outboards rated at 425 horsepower each. Hull development was undertaken with Mannerfelt Design Team, and the double-step deep-V form reflects the performance-oriented character of the PIRELLI range.

The manufacturer lists a beam of 4.58 metres, a fuel capacity of 1,300 litres, accommodation for two people and space for up to 18 passengers under its published specifications. These are starting points for comparing it with other support craft, not confirmation that every boat can carry a full passenger complement in every sea state. A skipper planning superyacht transfers should obtain the operating limitations and ensure that guest movement, boarding points and any tender-handling arrangements are suitable.

Different uses demand different layouts

The 47 offers both Open and Closed versions, although it is the Open that is due to be highlighted in Florida. An extended canopy, high bulwarks and a full-circulation deck are intended to let guests move around the craft without having to pass through a narrow central saloon. Several cockpit arrangements are available, illustrating the way a large dayboat can be configured for dining, lounging or carrying guests between an anchorage and the shore.

For a superyacht owner, the important comparison is not simply the top speed or the outward appearance. The craft's overall length, beam and loaded weight affect whether it can be carried aboard, towed safely under controlled conditions or berthed alongside the principal yacht. The operator will also want to understand how wet boarding areas drain and how boarding changes with the yacht's freeboard.

PIRELLI 35 Center Console adds a second debut

The second American debut is the PIRELLI 35 Center Console, shown with two Mercury outboards of 400 horsepower each. The console layout makes a different compromise from the bigger 47: movement is organised around a central helm, providing open circulation suited to short coastal trips and day operations. The 35 is a model designed for its own market, but can also be assessed for duties alongside a larger yacht where dimensions and handling permit.

The centre-console format is familiar to American customers, particularly those whose boats are used for watersports, short transfers or fast coastal outings. It should not be mistaken for a fully enclosed guest limousine tender, and the availability of shelter, storage and a soft ride remains relevant in deciding which guests and trips are appropriate.

Rebel 55 and 50G widen the display

SACS also intends to display the Rebel 55 equipped with four 600-horsepower Mercury outboards, producing a stated combined installation of 2,400 horsepower. The size and deck arrangements move it toward a luxury cruiser or substantial chase-boat role rather than a small ship's tender. The setup may interest larger-yacht owners who need an independently operated support vessel for day trips, watersports or moving guests to destinations that cannot receive the mothership.

The Rebel 50G is scheduled in a Forward Lounge configuration with two Volvo Penta IPS 950 units. Its convertible forward space can be used for dining or relaxation, giving the boat a different personality from a conventional work-oriented RIB. The comparison underlines the growing separation between high-end support craft developed around hospitality and smaller service tenders intended primarily for straightforward transfers.

Fort Lauderdale strategy goes beyond show week

Launching SACS Marine Americas Corp. indicates a stronger focus on the United States, where Fort Lauderdale combines broker offices, refit businesses, marinas and a large resident yacht fleet. The announced 17th Street premises are expected to include dedicated berths as well as offices, making them a possible point of contact for customers and partners. The announcement does not confirm the full staffing structure, parts inventory or exact operational opening date.

For captains and management companies, an established local presence could simplify practical discussions about service intervals, after-sales support and warranty handling, but these arrangements should be checked for each product and installation. Fast dayboats can generate demanding propulsion and maintenance requirements when used frequently to support a cruising programme.

Superyacht operators should assess the complete package

The full story was outlined in PressMare's 20 October report, while PIRELLI Speedboats publishes the 47's specification and configuration information. Together they establish the intended show lineup and the design's principal characteristics without suggesting every listed propulsion and accommodation option is fitted to all models.

Anyone considering a PIRELLI 47 or larger Rebel as a chase boat should evaluate sea trials, fuel and service requirements, guest boarding and the intended relationship to the main yacht. Those operational details, rather than a model name or show appearance alone, determine whether a craft is genuinely suitable for supporting a superyacht.

The Fort Lauderdale announcement is therefore most significant as a combination of product exposure and permanent regional investment, extending SACS Marine's reach in one of the world's busiest concentrations of private yachts. Its long-term value to owners will depend on how reliably the American operation supports boats after show week.