Fall quickens the heart after the dog days of summer, increases our feelings of wonder at the season's changes and encourages us to believe that all things are possible—when we're out on the water, that is. It's showtime, in other words, the rite that ends the year and the boating season for many of us, but also provides a view of good things to come. For 2006, you'll want to take in a show, if only to see for yourself the newest technologies recently integrated into the next generation of cruisers, trawlers, sportsfishermen or day boats, and how they will make our lives afloat more convenient and enjoyable. More than ever, you'll be interested in efficient engines that run more quietly, go farther on a tank of fuel and soothe us with increased reliability. At the helm, it's always mindboggling to see how manufacturers interface increasingly informative electronics and present the data so we can use it. Shows are great for asking questions, for comparing yachts and dreams, and seeing what surprises await us over the next horizon, including the new boats you see here.

Azimut 62S
With its stunning burgundy hull, the new Azimut 62S will be one of the more recognizable designs on the water this year, especially with the six distinctive square windows located on each side and flooding the master stateroom with light. The 62's aggressive styling, an Azimut-Righini collaboration, closely resembles that of the Azimut 68S; a brace of Caterpillar C18 engines delivers top speeds of 36 knots and cruise speeds of 30 knots. An elegant interior by Carlo Galeazzi blends dark wenge wood and leather upholstery with light Japanese rice-paper-style fabric panels concealing doors and wardrobes. Accommodations include a full-beam master, a VIP guest stateroom in the bow and crew quarters. The large teak-planked cockpit has a comfortable sun platform, bench seating with table and a handy wet bar. A hidden garage houses a tender or PWC, and the swim platform lowers for a larger tender stored aft.

Azimut Yachts, www.azimutyachts.com