Fort Lauderdale is one of the few shows where a long-range cruising yacht can be judged against dozens of faster, more style-led alternatives in the same afternoon. Outer Reef is returning in 2026 with a display that gives buyers a direct look at how its Classic motor-yacht formula scales across the sub-24-metre market.
The builder’s three-yacht line-up includes the 720 Classic, the 650/670 Classic and a larger 900 Classic outside LYG’s size limit. For Luxury Yacht Guide, the first two are the relevant comparison because both remain within the 12.00–23.99-metre ownership category.
The 720 Classic sits close to the top of LYG’s range
Outer Reef’s 720 Motoryacht measures around 22 metres overall, giving it enough volume for extended cruising without crossing the 24-metre threshold. The design follows the builder’s established emphasis on practical machinery access, protected decks and accommodation intended for longer periods aboard.
That size is significant because it can deliver many of the spaces buyers associate with larger passagemakers while remaining in a different operational bracket from a small superyacht. Berthing, crewing expectations and day-to-day owner involvement can therefore remain more manageable.
The 650/670 platform offers a smaller long-range alternative
The 650 and related 670 configurations bring the same cruising philosophy into a roughly 20-metre footprint. Buyers lose some volume compared with the 720, but they may gain easier marina access and a yacht that feels less demanding when moving between short coastal trips and longer passages.
Seeing the sizes together is more useful than comparing specification sheets at home. Passageways, sightlines, engine-room access and cabin proportions are areas where an extra metre or two can feel much more important than the number suggests.
FLIBS remains an important test for practical cruising yachts
The Fort Lauderdale show runs from 28 October to 1 November and places Outer Reef in front of a large North American owner market. That audience includes buyers who value autonomy, storage and serviceability as strongly as maximum speed or exterior styling.
Outer Reef’s display therefore competes on a different set of priorities from many planing flybridge yachts nearby. The question for a buyer is whether the additional cruising focus matches how often they intend to stay aboard, travel longer distances and operate away from large service centres.
Two in-scope yachts create a useful buying ladder
With both the 650/670 and 720 available to inspect, prospective owners can see where added length begins to produce meaningful improvements in privacy, storage and onboard circulation. That comparison is especially valuable for couples who expect to operate with limited crew.
For LYG readers, the strongest reason to look at the Outer Reef display is not simply that two models fall within the size range. It is the opportunity to decide how much yacht is actually needed for serious cruising before moving into a larger and more complex ownership model.
