From 24 to 27 September, most of the participants of the superyacht market will be in Monaco.
115 superyachts, from 25–100m length, will be on display – 15 more than usual due to the new[ds_preview] berths in front of both the old and impressive new Yacht Club de Monaco clubhouses. Designed by Lord Foster, the new one has the look of a giant five-deck superyacht (length 200m, beam 30m) with a pool on the aft deck. At least 1,000 brokers, agents and intermediaries, some with impressive track records and good knowledge, other individuals ever hopeful to make good business and make a quick 5% on a deal will be active.
Builders of superyachts market directly to buyers but understand the need to be »broker-friendly« too when a broker has convinced a buyer that he will act in his interest. Some builders – and even designers – have set up their own brokerage departments to maintain the relationship with clients. A tip for a would-be purchaser would be to line up visits aboard a short-list of yachts before going to MYS, to avoid queues. Often newbuilds are at the show to display builder quality and not actually for sale, others are used boats, usually offered through brokers.
Real independent advice is worth investing in. Marine Construction Management (MCM), based in Newport Rhode Island, exhibiting in the air-conditioned Parvis Piscine (QP58) as usual, has been acting for owners for 26 years during which time it has overseen over 70 newbuilds (MCM’s two launches in 2013, sail and power, picked up seven industry awards this year). MCM’s Yacht Management division is growing steadily too for existing owners.
For sailing yachtsmen »Wisp«, built by Royal Huisman, is likely to be one of the hardest yachts to get aboard. MCM acted for her owner, the 48m classic sloop being designed by André Hoek with a Rhoades Young interior. Perini Navi (QT9) of Italy will be showing its »Perseus 3«, a 60m sloop and the second in its 60m series, designed by Ron Holland. A twin rudder system and carbon bowsprit, plus a massive mainsail make her total sail area 30% bigger than a 60m ketch. Her 75m carbon mast looks daunting but Perini, who innovated the original captive reel winches, synchronizes sail handling with its Perini Navi Automated Sail Handling System, claiming 75% quicker tacking and gybing than previous generations. Hodgdon Yachts of Newport, USA, known for its elegant limo tenders, will be displaying a model of its 100ft pre-preg carbon race boat (DG4). Sailing equipment is proudly displayed too – Southern Spars (QJ02) being in »New Zealand Street«, between the tents and the Designer Gallery, to talk about its 75–80% market share in carbon spars and rigging.
On the motor yacht side, which accounts for 85%+ of the superyacht build market, top German builder Lürssen’s 85m »Solandge«, delivered in October 2013, designed by Espen Oeino with Aileen Rodriguez interior, is the hot ticket. Italian renowned brand Benetti premiers its 58m »Illusion I« designed by Green & Mingarelli with interior in-house. For something smaller, top Dutch brand Feadship’s 46m »Como« is in the water while Vripack – seriously innovative and fresh »third generation« young naval architects, with over 7,000 lines plans in their portfolio, since 1961 – has several plans for the future. Yet to be built, their 42m, 4500 nm-range boat, with easy access to VIP cabins for the grandparents, has a certain appeal. Vripack’s more modern designs include the solar-powered foiling V20 one-design racing class. On the racy front, Ferretti Group’s Riva unveils its flagship »Mythos« (122 ft), the first all-aluminium Riva.
Full boat listings are updated at the official site monacoyachtshow.com. For example: Burgess will display the 68m Nobiskrug-built »Sycara V« amongst its big fleet. Asking price is Euros 69.5mill. $, including the beach club. Edmiston, meanwhile, will be ferrying its VIP clients overlooking the port to its line up of seven yachts from 35 to 75m+ length. Bill Sanderson, now of International Yacht Collection, proposes Trinity Yachts’ 2012 50m »Lady Linda« – asking 43.9mill. $.
Buying a used superyacht and refitting it is an option and most builders offer this service. International Technic Marine (ITM) in Marseille was acquired by the giant Palumbo Group (QJ7) in February, now named Palumbo Marseille SuperYachts ITM, dedicated to refit and repair. Meanwhile, IMS Shipyard in Saint-Mandrier Sur Mer takes a stand this year (QS89) to announce its new IMS 700 site with 80 new berths to accommodate up to 100 boats of 20–80m from the end of 2014, claiming to be »the biggest repair yard in the Mediterranean«.
There are additionally several professional services at MYS. Sturge Taylor (QH16) offers comprehensive yacht insurance. Rival Only Yacht, based in Monaco, hosts one of the show’s most exclusive parties at Maya Bay restaurant. Last September UK law firm Hill Dickinson attended in force but this year they sponsor the Finance Seminar.
For those newly commissioning a superyacht or existing owners, Kevin Glancy and Jonathan Fawcett will be on hand (QE7) for the 20th consecutive year to discreetly source respectively: fine bone china, branded crystal, cutlery and accessories, plus, linens, towels and accessories. Glancy and Fawcett’s team – with 25 years experience – is currently working on 18 new build projects, nine residential and seven aircraft, as well as some 80 repeat orders and refits for existing clients.
MYS supports the Association Monégasque contre les Myopathies (AMM) for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy research as well as Prince Albert II Foundation’s (FPA2.com) Wood Forever Pact (QP42).
In summary, the whole yachting industry will be doing B2B networking while a handful of owners quietly check out who to entrust to build (or refit) their superyacht, their funds filtering through the industry hierarchy and keeping it afloat.
Nick Jeffery
