A zero-emission motor yacht, a superyacht built by the first Western shipyard in China and a flats skiff that doubles as a duck boat are among the varied watercraft on display at the 50th anniversary Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show on Sunday and Monday.

• Mochi Craft Long Range 23, D-E, dock, Bahia Mar Yachting Center, (about $5 million).

Ferretti Group said its new 78-foot motor yacht is the largest zero-emission pleasure craft in the world. Powered by a hybrid (diesel-electric) propulsion system, the ``transplaning hull'' claims to cut fuel consumption by 40 percent with a range of 1,000 miles.

Company vice president Andrea Frabetti said the boat can reach a top speed of 16 knots and run silently -- even with air-conditioning and all on-board appliances in use.

Frabetti said it can operate in five modes: with the diesel engines running the electric motors and recharging the lithium ion ferride batteries; with the electric motors disconnected from the diesels but driving the propellers with the help of a generator and battery pack; with electric motors on battery power driving the propellers in silence; with all on-board utilities powered by the battery pack; and with the yacht plugged into shore power while overnight in port.

Frabetti said the Mochi Craft costs about $1 per mile to operate, compared with about $4 per mile for a conventional diesel-powered yacht.

• Argos Gulfstream, slip FG-29, Bahia Mar Yachting Center, about $5 million.

Greece-born investment banker Christos Livadas purchased a couple of yachts built in China a few years back but was dismayed when he went looking and found nothing bigger. So Livadas, who lives in Nassau, Bahamas, and South Florida partner Dave Adams built their own shipyard in Zhuhai a couple of years ago for the purpose of constructing superyachts. Their first product is the 92-foot Argos -- said to be fast, seaworthy and extremely comfortable.

The partners say the twin 1,650-horsepower diesels can push the yacht to 27 knots, but optimum cruising speed is 9 knots, for a maximum range of 3,000 nautical miles. Argos sleeps eight guests and four crew, with posh features such as marble bathrooms, curved mahogany cabinets, a Jacuzzi on the upper deck and a large living/dining salon.

``We're building in China not to build a cheaper boat, but a superior boat in all levels,'' Adams said.

Said Livadas: ``This yacht is for an owner with an active lifestyle who likes to go exploring and adventuring, and it also offers a tremendous amount of social function.''

• Dusky 18 Flats Bay, booth 2016, Broward County Convention Center, about $16,100.

Best known for its durable, inexpensive open-fisherman-style boats, Dania Beach-based Dusky Marine decided to bring out a smaller hull for budget-conscious anglers. The Dusky 18 Flats Bay, powered by a 90-horsepower E-Tec outboard, comes with a surprising array of standard equipment for the price: trailer, hydraulic steering, ample storage compartments, and a 40-gallon livewell with pump, among others.

``Fuel is still expensive, but people still need to fish,'' Dusky's Michael Brown said. ``I see a lot more people going into bay boats than bigger boats.''

Brown said the skiff weighs about 1,000 pounds without the engine, draws about 10 ½ inches and has a 35-gallon fuel tank. Rod racks and fish boxes are options.

``Since we're factory-direct, we can build it the way you want it,'' Brown said.

• Hell's Bay Boatworks Skate, booth 2041, Broward County Convention Center, about $15,000.

Created and built near the famed shallows of the Mosquito Lagoon in Titusville, this extremely tiny and skinny skiff can be used as a platform for splashing ducks in the morning, and then catching redfish in the afternoon.

At not quite 13 feet long, about 45 inches wide and weighing 250 pounds without its standard 15-horsepower outboard, the Skate can be lifted into the bed of a pickup truck or even secured on a car top, then pulled over the banks of hard-to-reach mosquito impoundments to access fish- and duck-rich marshes.

``This is a poling skiff. It runs in four inches of water and poles in 3 ½,'' company president Chris Peterson said.

Another possible use for the Skate: tender on a small sportfishing yacht.

Said Peterson: ``You don't need a davit, and it will fit on a yacht with an inflatable.''

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