CharterWave eNews

Review of the 2010 Antigua Charter Yacht Show

The 2010 Antigua Charter Yacht Show included 115 registered yachts, nearly 160 charter brokers and managers, and a great deal of on-the-docks chatter about the current state of the luxury yacht charter industry.

“From what brokers, managers, and captains told me, I think it’s safe to say that charter is finally starting to recover in the wake of the global recession,” CharterWave editor Kim Kavin says. “However, recovery doesn’t mean that things are back to what they were in the summer of 2008. I’m hearing that the Mediterranean is seeing far more booking interest than the Caribbean, for instance. I’m also still hearing about discount offers on well-regarded yachts that never used to need them, and I’m hearing that superyachts larger than 150 feet continue to sit idle while smaller yachts see at least some returning business.

“Right now,” Kim says, “it seems that there are real signs of hope, which is good. But 2011 looks to be a year of continuing adjustment as the charter industry re-establishes itself worldwide.”

Most of the yachts that were on display in Antigua received good or outstanding marks from the brokers who toured them. For a look some of the most interesting boats and trends that Kim found on the docks, check out our just-published 10 Best Lessons Learned at the 2010 Antigua Charter Yacht Show.

Saxon Moves to IYC; Houghting Moves to Churchill Yacht Partners

Two leading management companies in the United States have announced significant personnel moves that will affect the way their charter operations are run.

First is the news that longtime industry veteran Bob Saxon (shown in the photograph at right) has been appointed the new president of International Yacht Collection. Previously, Saxon ran Bob Saxon and Associates for 15 years before selling it to Camper and Nicholsons International and becoming president of Camper and Nicholsons USA. Most recently, Saxon has served as executive director of the Florida Yacht Brokers Association.

Saxon's move to IYC follows the company's recent acquisition of The Sacks Group Yachting Professionals, where Saxon was president some two decades ago before starting his own company. He began work at the IYC offices in Fort Lauderdale on January 3.

Meanwhile, just down the road in Florida, longtime Northrop and Johnson charter fleet manager LJ Houghting began work December 16 with Churchill Yacht Partners in its Bahia Mar location.

The move is expected to expand the Churchill charter fleet, which is primarily known for sailing yachts. Houghting brings strong relationships with motoryacht owners, as evidenced by the immediate move of two former Northrop and Johnson motoryachts—the 130-foot Westport Arioso and the 130-foot Christensen Sweet Escape (ex-Lady Zelda)—into the Churchill fleet, where Houghting will continue to manage them.

“Over the past decade LJ has established a solid foundation in the operations of all aspects of the yachting industry and chose to specialize in the field of charter management in January 2007,” Churchill stated in a press release. “LJ was initially introduced to the yachting industry in 2001 as stewardess and massage therapist onboard luxury private and charter yachts, and later decided to explore a more land-based approach gaining experience as boat show coordinator, yacht sales coordinator, charter marketing and ultimately charter management.”

Welcome New Sponsor: Churchill Yacht Partners

The CharterWave team is thrilled to welcome our newest sponsor: Churchill Yacht Partners.

The owner of the 116-foot Holland Jachtbouw sailing yacht Whisper started Churchill Yacht Partners in 2004 in Newport, Rhode Island, where the company handled yacht charter as well as yacht sales. In July 2005, it acquired the longtime charter agency Rikki Davis Worldwide Yacht Charters, giving Churchill instant credibility for top-dollar charter bookings. In March 2008, Churchill shuttered its sales division to focus exclusively on charter yacht management and retail bookings. Business has been strong enough that Churchill recently signed a two-year lease for offices in the prime Fort Lauderdale marina called Bahia Mar.

Several retail charter brokers at Churchill are longtime, trusted colleagues of CharterWave editor Kim Kavin. They include Rikki Davis, who is based in Florida, and Maggie Vale, who is based in Newport. Kim also regularly seeks information she can trust from the company’s charter fleet managers, Els Bucknell and LJ Houghting.

Please join us in welcoming Churchill Yacht Partners to CharterWave by checking out the company's website and considering working with them on your next charter booking.

Ocean Independence Announces Pre-Paid APA Debit Cards

Ocean Independence is now offering charter clients the option of paying advance provisioning allowances through a pre-paid debit card.

“We are all aware that transferring and holding large sums of cash is becoming more and more difficult and certainly is a subject becoming more regulated by authorities around the world,” the company states in its most recent newsletter. “Through one of the founding banks of today’s Visa card system, Swiss-based Corner Bank, we now offer owners and captains an easy-to-use, pre-paid debit card with which to manage charter clients’ funds.”

It is possible to have multiple cards for each yacht, so stewardesses and chefs can shop separately for required supplies. The cards limit the amount that can be withdrawn, and any unused money can be returned to the client at the end of the charter.

Flagship Re-Launches Retail Charter Website

Erik Ackerson, director of the Virgin Islands Charter League, says that Flagship has just re-launched a website designed to attract charter clients directly.

Flagship is a St. Thomas-based central agency that represents about 45 charter yachts and that is controlled by the VICL. Its new website represents a dramatic change in the way Flagship has operated for the better part of at least 30 years. Traditionally, the company has served as a clearinghouse only, with independent retail charter brokers bringing clients and arranging charter bookings. Through this new website, Ackerson says, Flagship will now book charters directly with clients.

“The economy dictates that we go out and get business,” Ackerson says. “It’s time that Flagship started making money. Everyone’s afraid of change, but I have to do what we have to do for the company.”

U.S. Clients Reportedly Returning to Charter—for Summer 2010

Fraser Yachts Worldwide, in its most recent newsletter, states that 2010 saw a substantial drop in charter inquiries from American clients.  Now, Fraser says, American clients are beginning to return, even for the current winter season that thus far has been considered lackluster by most major management companies.

“I’ve heard the same thing from a few other leading companies, including YCO,” CharterWave editor Kim Kavin says. “If this trend bears out, it certainly will help business in the Mediterranean for summer 2011, and may indicate a return to Caribbean charter interest for winter 2011-12.”

Big Fish Helps Tsunami-Ravaged Island

The owner of the 147-foot McMullen and Wing Big Fish tries to give back to the remote areas where the expedition motoryacht cruises. The yacht runs a charity called Crew4Change that thus far has been funded by donations from the yacht’s owner, charter guests, and charter brokers including Cindy Brown of Ultra Marine Yacht Charters.

Recently, Crew4Change worked in conjunction with Yacht Aid Global to help the 629 residents of Juan Bautista village on Robinson Crusoe Island, which was devastated by a tsunami in February 2010. Big Fish stopped at the island during its transit from the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show to Antarctica, where the yacht is available for charter this winter through 37 South.

The crew aboard Big Fish delivered about $8,400 worth of needed items to the schoolchildren in the village. The 150 students now have working laptop computers, a printer, various school supplies, and sports equipment to use in the open-air settings where school is being held until the schoolhouse itself can be rebuilt.

“Big Fish was built to visit the most remote and pristine places of earth in safety and comfort,” said Richard Beattie, the owner of Big Fish. "We want to leave all the places we visit in our travels as good—if not better—than before our arrival. Yachts are conspicuous for their size and beauty, and we must also help make them equally conspicuous for the benefit they can provide to the remote populations they visit. Just as we experience joy from yachting, we must also leave joy in our wakes.”

CharterWave Editor Joins Charter Index Team

CharterWave editor Kim Kavin has added a new publication to the roster of places where her work appears: Charter Index, the complete professional resource for the charter industry.

“I will continue to do the work that I love online with CharterWave, BoaterMouth, and Boats.com, and for magazines such as Yachting and Yachts International,” Kim says. “But all of those brands are targeted toward charter clients, while Charter Index is a business-to-business publication for industry insiders. I’m excited about the challenge of presenting charter news and trends in a completely new way.”

Look for the latest industry-oriented editorial in the news section of the Charter Index website.

Three Brokers Say

Are you thinking about bringing the kids aboard during your next yachting vacation? Do you want to know which charter yachts have successful track records when it comes to creating fun for the entire family?

For the January edition of Three Brokers Say, we learn about favorite “family-friendly” charter yachts from Maggie Vale of Churchill Yacht Partners, Rebecca Riley of Paradise Yacht Charters, and Michael Sawyer of Infinity Yacht Charters. They discuss specific boats as well as captains who have planned excellent family charters for their clients in the past.

Best of the CharterWave Daily Editor’s Blog

The Year in Yacht Charter. CharterWave editor Kim Kavin posted a five-part series in late December reviewing various aspects of the global charter industry in 2010, from environmental awareness to discounting trends. Those blog posts are now online as Part I, Part II, Part III, Part IV, and Part V.

Best of the CharterWave Sponsored Blogs

Yacht Charter; Dining on board 150’ Delta Motor Yacht Katya. From the Northrop and Johnson Worldwide Yacht Charters sponsored blog. Missy Johnston, of Northrop and Johnson Yacht Charters in Newport, Rhode Island was recently treated to a lovely lunch on board the 150’ Delta Motor Yacht Katya, available for crewed yacht charter this winter in the warm tropical waters of the Caribbean.  “What a fabulous lunch” Missy Johnston said.  “The lunch menu was a great combination of fresh flavors, and the food was beautifully cooked and presented” … Read more …

Motoryacht of the Month: Exuma

The owner of the 163-foot Picchiotti motoryacht Exuma built her specifically to explore the most remote cruising grounds on earth. He kept the new launch for private use during summer 2010 in the Mediterranean, so the winter 2010-11 season is the first chance to charter her.

Exuma’s plan is to have charter availability in Panama’s San Blas and Las Perlas Islands, as well as on the Pacific Coast of Costa Rica, from January through March 2011; in Western Mexico and Baja, California, in March and April 2011; in French Polylnesia in June and July 2011; and in Fiji and Tonga (including out-islands) in September and October 2011.

Learn more about Exuma, including exclusive quotes from the owner that you will only see on CharterWave, in this newly posted First Impression review.

Sailing Yacht of the Month: Volterra

The 80-foot Palmer Johnson sailing yacht Volterra was originally built to cruise around the world with a family onboard. Her second owner raced her so successfully that she took honors in the Rolex transatlantic race. The current owner has had Volterra since 1999 and kept her for private use until now, which means charter clients, for the first time, can experience all that this interesting yacht has to offer.

Volterra is being made available for regular charters as well as for racing charters, if clients want to participate in regattas. The captain says she can achieve 10 to 12 knots with the spinnaker up in a good breeze, and the glimmer in his eye when he said it makes us think he’d be happy to push her as hard as charter clients want to go.

Learn more about Volterra in this newly posted First Impression review.

Captain of the Month: Duncan Stephenson

Capt. Duncan Stephenson recently oversaw the $2-million conversion of the 192-foot motorsailer Islander into a proper motoryacht.

“I’ve seen the boss, for years, drawing on napkins and thinking about turning her into a motoryacht,” Stephenson says. “He built the boat with his father, so the original was a compromise between what they both wanted. The father passed away, and the boss began exploring his options—especially when a fixed-height bridge was built near his house that we couldn’t get under with our original mast. Then, with the economic slowdown, charter business got slow. So we decided that if we were ever going to do it, this was the time.”

Learn about all the changes that were made to this long-popular charter yacht in our exclusive interview with Stephenson.

Chef of the Month: Tarina Shadgett

Tarina Shadgett of the 163-foot motoryacht Casino Royale won first prize in the prestigious megayacht division at the December 2010 Antigua Charter Yacht Show chef's competition.

“Versatility is my specialty,” she says. “For instance, I’ve had guests with the Grenadines who caught fresh tuna and wanted sushi in two hours. It’s no problem. I am happy to do anything. My style depends on what the guests want. Some like big buffets with huge platters, and others want elegant, plated dinners. Either is fine with me. Personally, I like Asian food, and I love to focus on presentation. But I am able to do many kinds of menus. We have crew members who are vegetarian, and I have a dehydrator, so I can do raw food diets as well.”

Learn more about Shadgett and see photographs of the luncheon that she prepared for CharterWave editor Kim Kavin in our newly posted crew interview.

Broker of the Month: Molly Browne

Longtime charter assistant Molly Browne was recently promoted to charter broker in the London office of Camper and Nicholsons International.

“I became a charter assistant at Camper and Nicholsons in November 2006, and ever since I have worked on itineraries, contracts, and searches done on behalf of clients,” Browne says. “I really got to know the industry, and I loved it. Now, I get to leave the office and actually see the boats and meet the crews. I’ve done the Genoa charter yacht show twice, so I do know what to look for, but the 2010 Antigua charter yacht show is really the first one where I’m getting to know the crews and the other brokers. It will all make doing my job easier.”

Learn more about Browne and the clients she hopes to serve in our newly posted broker interview.

Fleet and Management Company News

37 South tells us the 147-foot McMullen and Wing expedition motoryacht Big Fish will be available for charters in Japan and Alaska starting around September 2011…

Athens Yachts, in partnership with Periplous S.A., has been appointed the joint central agent for charters in Greece aboard the 131-foot Swan sailing yacht Aristarchos. She takes seven or eight guests with six crew at a lowest weekly base rate of €80,000…

Bradford Marine Yacht Charters says the 70-foot Hatteras motoryacht All My Girls, which is regularly available for charters in the Bahamas, is based in South Florida throughout January. The $18,000 weekly base rate includes use of the yacht’s 24-foot and 17-foot tenders… The 70-foot Johnson motoryacht Charmer is now offering day-charter rates. They start at $2,250 for a dinner cruise…

Camper and Nicholsons International tells us the 257-foot motoryacht Princess Mariana will be available at a reduced weekly base rate of $550,000 through February in the Caribbean… The 135-foot sailing yacht Mirabella III is offering eight days for the price of seven in the Caribbean… The 203-foot motoryacht Icon is being offered at a “special rate” of $43,000 per week until mid-February in the Caribbean…The 183-foot Benetti motoryacht Galaxy is available in New Zealand through March at a weekly base rate of €225,000… The 89-foot Stella Nova is available for charters in Sweden’s Stockholm archipelago at a weekly base rate of €34,000…

Carol Kent Yacht Charters features wedding charters in the newest edition of its e-newsletter. For anyone planning a wedding, Kent says she can organize an onboard ceremony, a night-before rehearsal dinner, or of course a romantic honeymoon…

Churchill Yacht Partners tells us that the 121-foot Crescent motoryacht Olga has reduced her weekly base rate from $70,000 to $65,000 for charters the rest of this winter season in the Caribbean. The yacht is currently in Puerto Rico, preparing to move to Sint Maarten and the Grenadines for the rest of the season. Olga takes eight guests with six crew… The 116-foot Holland Jachtbouw sailing yacht Whisper has reduced its lowest weekly base rate from $80,000 to $70,000… The 130-foot Westport motoryacht Miss Michelle will be in the Caribbean until May, then in the Bahamas in June before moving to New England for the summer 2011 season… The 130-foot Christensen motoryacht Sweet Escape has a new website …

Edmiston and Company says the 150-foot expedition motoryacht Atmosphere has remaining availability for charters in Patagonia from January 8-15, February 5-12, March 12-19, March 19-26, April 10-17, and April 17-24… The 151-foot Leopard motoryacht Pure One is available in the Bahamas at a weekly base rate of $180,000… Three of the fleet’s Feadship motoryachts will be available for Baltic Sea charters in summer 2011. They are the 235-foot Utopia, the 151-foot Northern Light, and the 128-foot Kathleen Anne… The 169-foot Alloy sailing yacht Mondango is available for Caribbean charters beginning January 13 at a weekly base rate of €185,000… The 163-foot Codecasa motoryacht Mairu will be available for charters in Greece beginning in June…

Fraser Yachts Worldwide welcomes the 113-foot Moonen motoryacht Beluga to the charter fleet. She takes 10 guests with seven crew at a weekly base rate of €75,000… The 193-foot JK Smit motoryacht Seawolf will be available in Central America and French Polynesia during 2011… The company welcomes Kari Webber, previously of Azimut, Benetti, and Bertram yachts, as the new marketing executive for the United States…

Luxury Charter Group tells us the 51-foot sailing catamaran Ombre Blu is now accepting charters anywhere in Italian waters during the summer 2011 season. She takes six guests at a lowest weekly base rate of €10,500…

Nicholson Yachts tells us the 72-foot sailing yacht Pacific Wave will be based in the British Virgin Islands with availability throughout the Caribbean until June 30. The yacht then will move to the Grenadines for charters in July and October before returning to its home base in the BVI… The sailing yacht Fortuna is offering a 20-percent discount on its winter rates through January 30 in the Caribbean…

Northrop and Johnson welcomes the 154-foot Admiral Marine motoryacht Ohana to the charter fleet. The weekly base rate is $130,000 for 10 guests with 10 crew in Florida and the Bahamas, with summer availability in New England. She is being marketed as having “the best sundeck of any yacht of this size”… Also new to the fleet is the 147-foot Feadship motoryacht Harle. She takes 10 guests with 10 crew at a lowest weekly base rate of $225,000… The owner of the 115-foot Crescent motoryacht Kapalua, which recently reduced its weekly base rate from $44,000 to $39,000 for eight days instead of the regular seven, is now also willing to provide charter guests with the use of a towed tender…

Ocean Independence welcomes the 88-foot Azimut motoryacht Spirit of Zen to the charter fleet, taking eight guests at a weekly base rate of €37,500. Also new to the fleet are the 76-foot K of M sailing yacht Aurelius, taking six guests at a lowest weekly base rate of $22,000; the 135-foot R.B. Dereli motoryacht Golden Horn, taking 10 guests at a lowest weekly base rate of €110,000; the 111-foot Dijlstra-designed sailing yacht Annagine, taking eight guests at a lowest weekly base rate of €39,000; the 105-foot Konjo sailing yacht El Aleph, taking 12 guests in Southeast Asia at a lowest weekly base rate of $60,000; and the 97-foot CIM motoryacht Moonlight II, taking eight guests at a lowest weekly base rate of €26,000…

Ocean Partners International says the 111-foot Benetti motoryacht Le Mirage is available for charters this summer in Croatia. She takes 10 guests at a lowest weekly base rate of €31,000…

Primo Yacht says the 146-foot Proteksan motoryacht Costa Magna is currently undergoing a refit and will be available again for charter beginning with the 2011 summer season in the Mediterranean… The 101-foot Ferretti motoryacht Maria II of London has reduced her special-events base rate from €65,000 to €60,000 for the Cannes Film Festival and Monaco Grand Prix. Two-week bookings during these events are now €115,000. For May and June charters in the South of France, Corsica, Sardinia, or Sicily, the regular weekly base rate of €60,000 has been reduced to €55,000 for one-week charters or €105,000 for two-week charters… New to the fleet is the 138-foot Saba sailing yacht Perla Del Mare, taking 12 guests with seven crew at a lowest weekly base rate of €50,000 in Turkey…

Regency Yacht Vacations welcomes the 47-foot Leopard sailing catamaran Nauticat of Fowey to the charter fleet. Built in 2005 with three queen-bed staterooms, Nauticat of Fowey is available for charters in the Grenadines. The weekly base rate is $10,200 for two guests, $10,700 for four guests, or $11,950 for six guests… The 44-foot sailing catamaran Blue Bayou is offering a nearly all-inclusive charter for two guests at a price of $8,900 from February 9-16. That includes all but one lunch and dinner, which are at additional guest expense ashore, as well as a full case of sparkling wine, a picnic lunch on a secluded beach, a resort dive or PADI rendezvous dive for two, and a spa massage for two. The yacht’s regular weekly base rate for two guests is $9,700 … Also new to the charter fleet is the 51-foot Morgan sailing yacht Phaedrus, taking two guests at a base rate of $5,900…

WEM Lines tells us that the 237-foot motoryacht RM Elegant has left Costa Rica and is bound for Sint Maarten, in the Northern Caribbean, where she will remain available for charters the rest of this winter’s season…

YCO welcomes Neil Cheston as the new director of sales and charter. His move from Camper and Nicholsons International comes on the heels of three longtime CNI retail charter brokers—Hume Jones, Nick Heming, and Tamsin Priestley—joining the YCO team.

New First Impression Reviews Posted on CharterWave

Casino Royale, 163-foot Christensen motoryacht
Exuma, 163-foot Picchiotti motoryacht
Islander, 192-foot Australian Yacht Builders motoryacht
Volterra, 80-foot Palmer Johnson sailing yacht

New Crew Interviews Posted on CharterWave

Tarina Shadgett, chef, motoryacht Casino Royale
Duncan Stephenson, captain, motoryacht Islander

New Broker Interview Posted on CharterWave

Molly Browne, Camper and Nicholsons International