Update from my last posting-  the little sailboat that was outside my office window  is now like the owner, gone too… 

The summer rain has arrived in South Florida.  We need it and both the lawn and I are happy for the much needed water.

Some of my guests that usually summer in the Med have decided to stay this side of the Atlantic. 

“ Business Reasons”  is what they say… so does that translate to the fuel charges and dollar vs. Euro exchange rate?  The good news is that they are still interested in boats… so I’m sending them available yachts for New  England, Bahamas and Alaska now.

Further to my last blog the clients aboard the Java did have a wonderful time: “yacht, meals and crew were fantastic”.  I have to say that these charter guests were fantastic themselves… they altered their dates and modified their ports  so the yacht could make it back to Ft. Lauderdale to catch the Dockwise Transportation Ship.  Then they were concerned that the crew would not have access to their gratuity straight away because some of them were flying straight to Europe and not returning to Fort Lauderdale.

I am going to ask them to write a handbook on  “How to get what you deserve on a charter yacht”. This family receives what they give ten-fold.  I’ll shorten the title of the book!      

  I received two calls from business associates of  Mr. Client.  “He looked so relaxed I asked him where he had been… he told me to call you.”    And  “Agnes, it is me Mr. B. I have received your info but I also know Mr. Client. I just met him at the Masters and now we are thinking of organizing  3-4 couples for a private yacht charter… “The Java should be in Europe by now, leaving a nice little “wake of business”  for me!

Caribbean charter – aboard the Java   121.1’/ 36.92m  
During the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show this past October I had the pleasure to meet with a referral client.  He saw the Java, 121.1/36.9m , 5 strm Broward at the show.  A few weeks after the show he called me to advise that this would be the ideal vessel and crew for his family vacation in the Spring of 2008.  So here we are six months later and the family is aboard the yacht, enjoying everything… especially the food!      

The crew on this yacht is exceptional.  They have to have high energy and organized just to keep up with the owner’s expectations.  I have had the pleasure of chartering this yacht several times over the past four years.  It has been a pleasure to work with the manager and captain of this yacht each time. The current captain was the mate who took over for the old captain who is now sailing his own yacht around the world.  (There is the passion of the sea for many of us in the yachting word… and a topic for another blog.)

I want to thank the owner of the yacht for understanding the needs of the charter brokers.  He keeps his product in top shape. He maintains a happy crew.  This is yacht  is exceptional value - five staterooms with an on deck Jacuzzi in the Caribbean.   They will ship to the Med for the summer and have a full schedule.

Thank you Mr. Owner, yacht manager and excellent crew!  I will have more business for you again soon.            

I have gone to the mountain…..   The Rockies in February are a remarkable change from the Fort Lauderdale winter!

I was in Aspen, Colorado last week-end with Camper & Nicholsons.  We were one of the sponsors of the Aspen Celebrity Downhill which benefits Aspen Youth Experience. AYS is a  non-profit organization focused on saving lives by empowering at risk young people to make positive choices.   CNI had two charter items in the silent auction.  Combined they raised $63K for the organization.  The items were a one week charter in the South of France on an 80’  Mangusta and a three night Greek isles charter.  

This was a fun, feel-good week-end,  once I adjusted to the altitude!

“ Go tell it on a mountain…..”.     I did.  I told them about private yacht charter and learned a lot about how this organization provides these children with a remarkable opportunity.   

The weather has been superb in Fort Lauderdale this winter.  A close friend who lives in Boston just spent a week with me.  Her mantra for the week- “ No wonder you live here…”.  
And there is reason for you to come to visit too.  The Annual Miami In Water Boat Show will be held from February 14-18.  There are always  a good selection of charter yachts in the show.
Cone, let me escort you!   
I’ll guarantee the good weather!   

The Kruse car action was held in Ft. Lauderdale this past weekend.  It is always fun to attend. There are many yachting people interested in these classic cars.  They are truly works of art. My husband is still mad at me because I was not for him bidding on a E-type Jaguar.  Navy blue.  Sure was nice though.
 
I cannot help but to compare these cars to the classic yachts in the yachting industry.   So many of the classic sailing yachts and vintage motor yachts are just that- works of art. 
As You Like It   is classic  yacht built in  1974.  The owner has done a magnificent job in refurbishing this yacht.  The captain and crew are delightful.  My clients that chartered the yacht for the holidays enjoyed a wonderful vacation.     
http://www.mycharter.com/As-You-Like-It/index.asp?pass=213704353
There are some spectacular classics for charter.  See, you can charter and give it back… and you don’t have to worry about it overheating and being on the side of the road!   Please let me know if I may prepare a selection for your review.          

From the October Ft. Lauderdale International Boat Show and now to the charter trade shows in the Caribbean… show time continues!  

I found the F. Lauderdale Show to be very effective. There was anticipation that the docks would be flooded with European clients ready to spend Euros but this did not seem to be the case. What I did find was introductions to very qualified perspective clients from our sales brokers. I also met with out-of town clients who came to the show to meet with me and to inspect yachts for future vacations.  It rained on Friday, which did clear the docks but the rest of the weekend was ideal. 

 It seems this strong attendance continues to validate Ft. Lauderdale as the preferred US city for all things yachting- From yachts purchases to crewing and provisioning!

From my second floor office window  I can see the set-up taking place for the Ft. Lauderdale International Boat Show at the Bahia Mar.  The excitement builds. The temporary docks are being floated into place. Mark 25 -29 October on your calendars.

Yesterday the FYBA ( Florida Yacht Broker Association) hosted a charter seminar  and charter yacht show.  The event was well organized.  What I was most surprised with is how many “out-of –town” brokers were in town for the event.  It was wonderful to see industry colleagues that I often only see at the international shows.  I believe this strong attendance continues to validate Ft. Lauderdale as the preferred US city for all things yachting.

The Ft. Lauderdale International Boat Show is coming.   It is always exciting. It is a benchmark in the yachting community.  The Show itself is only four days (this year from 25 -29 October).  The reality is that there are so many events leading up to the show that it feels like it is two weeks.  Plus, the CNI office is right on the premises… we watch the set up and breakdown of this remarkable show go on for weeks.