The recent Paris boat show gave bareboat yacht charter lovers pause. Presenting the new Lagoon catamaran 39. It is an even more important milestone. In specific, the 30th birthday of Lagoon Catamarans.
The builder celebrated their shipbuilding birthday at the French show. Show dates spanned December 7 to 15.
When Did Lagoon Cats First Appear?
The first Lagoon #catamaran model was delivered in 1987. As a result, more than 3,000 Lagoon catamarans exist around the world.
Lagoon Catamaran for Caribbean Yacht Charter Vacation
DESIGN INNOVATIONS
For three decades, the company has been a leader in design innovation. For example,
1997
Lagoon invents vertical windows for the Lagoon 410 catamaran, adding welcoming light and a feeling of more volume.
2004
No one had ever seen or heard of a flybridge on a sailing catamaran. That is, until Lagoon installed one. Now, a decade later, all Lagoons 45’ and larger are equipped with a flybridge.
2006
The first hybrid-powered cruising catamaran is introduced. Specifically, the Lagoon 420.
2009
Welcome the Lagoon 620. It is the benchmark for crewed catamaran charters. Ask any charter broker their preferred vessels for a Virgin Islands yacht charter vacation. They probably point to Lagoon 620 sail catamaran AVALON. Also, luxury sailing catamaran CROCODILE DADDY.
2013
The new Lagoon 39 and 52 models, featuring innovation by VPLP naval architects, have the masts pushed back aft for comfort, performance, and easy handling.
HAPPIEST OF BIRTHDAYS
Happy 30th birthday, Lagoon! Thank you for all that you’ve done for the catamaran charter industry — here’s to another 30 years.
Many of her clients are still onboard their yachts enjoying their 2013 year-end St Barts yacht charter vacations. Jana Sheeder, President and Co-owner of SailAway Yacht Charters and 1-800 Yacht Charters comments. She takes a few minutes to reflect on the year that was (and offers us a glimpse of what’s to come in 2014.
Q: The charter industry still seems to be recovering from the global economic downturn of the past couple years. Did 2013 represent an uptick in the volume of charter business?
Sheeder: “Our research indicates 2013 showed significant improvement in charter revenues when compared to both 2011 and 2012. Many newly-built yachts enter the charter marketplace in 2013. These are builds that had stalled while under construction during the height of the downturn. As the global economy began to pick up, delayed construction projects commenced.
The result is a beautiful new fleet of superyacht charter vessels that hit the seas in time for the 2013 summer Mediterranean charter season.”
Q: Did the year end on an uptick?
Sheeder: “We haven’t seen any industry data yet, so we can’t speak for our competitors. We can tell you in terms of the Caribbean yacht charter marketplace, SailAway (1-800 Yacht Charters) had its strongest December in over 3 years. While the inquiries for smaller vessels did not grow, our bookings of superyachts – some of the largest yachts in the world – increased significantly.
Presently, we have the two largest charter vessels currently docked in St Barts for 9 night charters – motor yacht LAUREL (240 feet, $525,000 per week) and the Lurssen yacht charter motoryacht MARTHA ANN (230 feet, 600,000 EUROS per week).”
ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS
Q: What was the biggest change you witnessed in 2013 in the charter industry?
Sheeder: “I would have to say the ending of VAT exempt charters in France. For many years, our clients enjoyed St. Tropez yacht charters and summer vacations along the Cote d’Azur, free of the burden of VAT. That all changed in the summer of 2013 when the French yacht charter VAT went into effect. As of July 15, 2013, charterers can expect to pay an additional 9.8% for their Côte d’Azur yacht charter.”
Q: Are you optimistic as you look ahead to 2014?
Sheeder: “Our team is extremely optimistic as we focus on incremental growth in 2014. During the economic downturn, while many of our competitors hunkered down to ride out the storm, we took a contrarian approach. We focused our efforts on increased marketing. Our strategy was simple – stay in touch with existing clients and prospects. We wanted to be “easy to find” once the economy turned around.
Internally, we call it our “Tip of the Tongue” project. Clients had tightened their belts during the downturn, and we were committed to be the brand they remembered (always on the tip of the tongue) when they were ready to loosen their discretionary income belts again!
FINAL THOUGHTS
Now that 2014 is here, we are excited to announce that, for instance
Our newly-designed website is nearing completion
We are launching a new subsidiary to provide luxury yacht tenders to megayacht owners
Our additional satellite offices are opening
We are focused on charitable causes — helping others, helping marine life, and helping the environment — Paying it Forward and Making a Difference for all that’s been given to us!
The sky’s the limit! It will be an exciting, challenging, and awe-inspiring year!”
Smartphones, tablets, and any handheld computers are the norm (versus desktop computers).
Those resistant to change are changing to adapt to technology. Everyone has access to computers and smartphones. This is regardless of his/her “station in life.”
Trends in smartphone technology for yacht charter
The “personal touch” between family, friends, businesses, and clients must receive direct focus in order to stay an important aspect of life. The “use it or lose it” belief is alive and well.
Handwritten communication is fading into the past. Without direct use and practice, it disappears. Schools no longer teach personalization in life. Technology has center stage. This is a blessing, for example, for technological medical advances. They move closer to cures ever day. Diagnosis, treatments, and surgeries are completely different than in the past. It is also a curse. Where is handwritten communication? Are face-to-face meetings no more?
Society in general is moving more toward caring for others. Pay It Forward, Practice Random Acts of Kindness, Help the environment, care about animals. Compassion is big.
People are stepping up to help others (and to keep others – and animals – from harm) in my experience. Companies are making more sustainable products and being more environmentally responsible.
All aspects of life are being directed toward recycling, reducing, and reusing….just loving the Earth and caring about our surroundings.
There’s a dramatic shift toward “Making a Difference.”
The finalists for the 2014 ShowBoats Design Awards are announced. One of the world’s largest yachts, the 72 meter motor yacht AXIOMA, is included. She is nominated for two awards.
New to the charter market, yacht AXIOMA – Ex Red Square, is competing in two categories. First, Best Interior Design – Displacement Motor Yachts, 60 meters and larger. Second, Best Exterior Design and Styling – Displacement Motor Yachts, 60 meters and larger.
ABOUT AXIOMA
Yacht Build by Dunya Yachts in 2013. Design by Alberto Pinto. AXIOMA has enormous volume. She features six decks. The yacht has over 30,000 square meters of space.
RATE
Axioma yacht is available this winter. Her rate is EURO 490,000 per week. In addition, running expenses. For instance, fuel, water, dockage, taxes.
BOOKINGS
22 Dec – 01 Jan 2014 St Maarten
02 – 12 Jan 2014 St Maarten
13 – 18 Jan 2014 St Maarten
23 – 30 Mar 2014 T/B/A
01 – 21 Apr 2014 Transit to Europe
AWARDS INFORMATION
The ShowBoats Design Awards are season number 5. They shine the spotlight on the yachting industry. In specific, the most talented designers and builders. The international list of nominees is expansive. For instance, superyacht owners and designers. In addition, industry leaders gather for a gala event Monday, February 24. Held at Swarovski Crystal Worlds in Wattens, Austria. The awards ceremony takes place on the first evening. Specifically, of the Superyacht Design Symposium. It is a two-day affair for superyacht owners and industry professionals.
OTHER YACHTS
Importantly, there are yachts of similar size and capacity. These include 2011 Fincantieri motor yacht SERENE. In addition, 2011 Feadship motor yacht AIR and SYCARA V.
Croatia yacht charters are in for change. In November, the Croatian government voted on a fiscal consolidation package to reduce the country’s deficit. One of the measures included an increased intermediate Value Added Tax (VAT, or PDV, as it is called in Croatia) rate from 10% to 13%.
TRAVELER ADVISORY
Travelers experiencing a yacht charter vacation in Croatia know this increase. Costs passed from yacht owner to the charterer expected.
“In each of the past three summer seasons, we have seen an increase in interest in Dalmatian yacht charter adventures in Croatia,” says Sheeder. “We are advising our clients to budget not only for the increase in VAT, but also for the higher excise taxes on fuel that were approved in November. In short, the cost to enjoy both a Croatia bareboat rental or a fully crewed yacht vacation will cost about 5% more in the summer of 2014.”
DALMATIAN ISLANDS
Trips to the Dalmatian Islands in Croatia now challenge locations in Italy and France as the most popular Mediterranean yacht charter destination. Environment protection is critical in these national parklands.
HOW ARE THE CROATIAN ISLANDS?
They are wild and mostly uninhabited. Additionally, they offer a varied and diverse cruising ground for sail boat charters.
MUST SEE STOPS IN CROATIA
There are many “must-see” itinerary stops in Croatia. For instance, Kornati National Park, The Town of Split (a UNESCO City), The Islands of Hvar, Brac, and Vis, and Trogir, a World Heritage Organization City. Lastly, Plitvice Lakes National Park (photo above).
When it comes to innovation and design, the Italians constantly turn the yachting industry on its head.
UFO SIGHTING
The latest creation looks more like a UFO than a boat. Italian design studio Lazzarini launched its first “mini yacht” during the 2013 Monaco yacht charter show.
PRESENTING THE LAZZARINI JET CAPSULE
The Lazzarini Jet Capsule is a compact water craft. It measures just 7.5 meters (24.6 feet) in length and 3.5 meters (11.5 feet) wide. It is approximately the same dimensions of a megayacht tender.
Lazzarini Jet Capsule
CAPSULE WITH MULTIPLE USES
The company feels the customizable futuristic looking vessel suits multiple uses. Firstly, it is a water taxi, Secondly, it is a scuba diving vessel. Thirdly, it is an elite yacht tender. The Lazzarini Jet Capsule is made with a fiberglass hull. A hydro-jet system powers the vessel. The capsule offers from 315 to 740 hp. It also offers a deck protected from the elements. This Italian masterpiece seats eight passengers.
JET CAPSULE AMENITIES
The vessel has many amenities. For example, automatic closing doors, a rooftop sunbed, rear diving platform, and a convertible bedroom with head. Interior customizations include a kitchen.
Jet capsule with night lighting
The Sardinia yacht charter crowd is not only in for an out-of-this-world surprise at anchor at night, but next to this vessel, they are impressed. The Jet Capsule’s interior and exterior lights are designed to give the impression that the vessel is a UFO spacecraft, as it appears to hover over the water!
Prices for the Lazzarini Design Jet Capsule are yet to be released…
ITALY YACHT CHARTER SEASON
The Italian yacht charter season runs each summer from early June through September. In addition, popular ports of call include Positano,Rome, and the island of Sardinia.
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