GOOD NEWS: Formula 1 announced an agreement in principle to hold a race in Miami, starting in 2021.
BAD NEWS: Undoubtedly, the idea a Miami Grand Prix yacht charter seems lost, as the race will be held inland. Specifically, far from the ocean.
We were initially excited to see race organizers focusing on a circuit in downtown Miami, along Biscayne Bay. This course allows superyachts to dock or anchor close to the course, similar to the layout of the Monaco Grand Prix. Yacht charter clients and their guests watch the cars scream by from the comfort of their yacht’s sun deck.
There was considerable local opposition to holding a grand prix in downtown Miami. Residents and local business owners voiced concerns about interruptions to business caused by the construction of the race track.
Organizers then shifted their attention to building a road course on the grounds of Hard Rock Stadium – home to the NFL’s Miami Dolphins. The stadium is miles inland from the ocean – in the community of Miami Springs.
This week, Formula 1 announced an agreement has been reached with real estate mogul and Dolphins owner Stephen Ross to establish a race in Miami, with the inaugural event in 2021.:
“We are thrilled to announce that Formula One and Hard Rock Stadium have reached an agreement in principle to host the first-ever Formula One Miami Grand Prix at Hard Rock Stadium,”
F1 Miami Grand Prix
The agreement is subject to approval by Miami-Dade County.
In their statement, F1’s Sean Bratches and Tom Garfinkel, the chief executive of Hard Rock Stadium, outlined the financial benefits the race will bring to Miami.
“With an estimate annual impact of more than $400m and 35,000 room nights, the F1 Miami Grand Prix will be an economic juggernaut for South Florida each year.”
Garfinkel added to the announcement with a comment on Twitter.
“The world’s greatest racing @f1 has never been to S. Florida. Imagine people coming to this region from around the World in May. Multiple passing zones and world-class clubs and amenities. Barcelona, Monaco… Miami… make it happen.”
The agreement specifically calls for Ross to fund construction of the estimated $40 million custom track and cover all race-related expenses.
Watching the race from the deck of a yacht charter vessel is now out of the question. In spite of the location change, we are hopeful clients will still consider a Miami Grand Prix yacht charter – as a “Destination Event.”
The yachts can serve as platforms for corporate hospitality! Helicopters and private transportation in use to shuttle clients and guests to Hard Rock Stadium for the race.
The original post below………..
Formula 1 is here. Ladies and Gentlemen, start your engines. Captains, prepare to cast off!
Formula One is scouting Miami, Florida as a site for a Grand Prix race. F1, or FIA Formula One World Championship, is the foremost auto racing league. Envision Miami. First, dozens of superyachts lining the course. Second, thousands of thrilled spectators on yachts to watch see the action.
Per the Miami Herald, F1 execs met with Miami mayor and government officials in November. They discussed racing logistics for an annual event along Biscayne Bay, through downtown Miami.
Events Director for city of Miami, Vicente Betancourt, says the goal is to add Miami to the Formula 1 season in 2020. “It’s like the Super Bowl of auto racing,” said Betancourt. “Hopefully we can make it happen.”
Will the amazing Michael Buffer possibly be the announcer for a Miami Grand Prix Formula One race?
Wouldn’t you love to see professional race car drivers like Lewis Hamilton, Bottas, Vettel, Raikkonen, or Verstappen driving? High-tech Mercedes, Ferraris, Alfa Romeos, and Maseratis on the Sunny downtown Miami streets?
Equally important, what a wonderful boost for the South Florida economy. A Grand Prix Formula One race could provide corporate sponsorships from such companies as Amazon. (Jeff Bezos, graduated high school in Miami, in the same class as our company President, Jana Sheeder). Additional sponsors are lining up. For instance,
From April through November, the Formula One’s series is comprised of 20 races in cities around the world. Those cities include Singapore, Budapest, Sao Paulo, Dubai, and Monaco. There are 15 road courses and five courses laid out on city streets.
Formula 1 has new ownership (Liberty Media) and looks to expand its U.S. presence. F1 has a massive fan base across the globe; however, it lags behind other sports in the United States, like football, basketball, and NASCAR. Soccer is as popular as F1 racing. The only United States Grand Prix race is in Austin, Texas right now. Chase Carey, Liberty Media’s CEO of the Formula 1 Group, says he wants another race in America. An event in Miami, or possibly Las Vegas or New York, has been publicly discussed.
Carey wants to see F1 grab a foothold in “destination cities” like New York, Los Angeles, Miami, or Las Vegas. As a result, this would create a week-long celebration capable of attracting people from all over the world.
Jana Sheeder, President of 1-800 Yacht Charters believes Miami is a natural fit for a F1 event.
“Of all the races held annually by F1, the two premier events are staged in Monaco and Abu Dhabi,” says Sheeder. “Both locations have courses along the waterfront, and thousands of spectators enjoy the race and the festivities from the decks of dozens of luxury yachts. The Miami Grand Prix would duplicate that unique setting, as the course would pass through downtown Miami, along our beautiful waterfront area – and we have many superyachts that already make South Florida their home port.”
According to AutoGuide.com, Formula One filed on November 1st for a new trademark on a race event in Miami (as well as Las Vegas and New York). The next day, Sean Bratches, Formula One’s director of commercial operations, came to Miami, with his track engineers, and met with Mayor Francis Suarez and checked out the city streets near the downtown area, along the waterfront. Betancourt, who has been in communications with F1 since May said nothing was finalized. “We’ve got to see if it works and what it would cost them to actually bring it out. I think the ball is pretty much in their court.”
Sheeder points out the idea of a major road race and spectator yachts is not new for the city. In the 1980’s, the Miami Grand Prix was a major annual event (but not affiliated with the F1 series).
“Private luxury yacht charter vessels would line up, stern-to the seawall in the area that is now the Bayside Marketplace, and spectators would watch the race from the deck of their superyachts. In the evening, many of the yachts would host private parties for the charterers, as well as the owners, drivers, and corporate sponsors of the racing teams.”
Sheeder is optimistic a new F1 week-long race event will become a marquee attraction for South Florida.
“Assuming the financing and logistics make sense for Formula One, a corporate hospitality Miami Grand Prix yacht charter could easily rival the excitement of a Monaco Grand Prix yacht charter or an Abu Dhabi yacht charter. Yes, Monaco has the edge thanks to many decades of exposure, but Miami could make a big splash. We have the best weather, and the largest inventory of luxury yacht charter vessels anywhere in the world. Throw in the sexy appeal of nearby South Beach with world-famous hotels, restaurants, nightclubs, and celebrities, and Miami is a world-class big-event town.”
Where else can you go to an upscale event, wearing little more than sandals and a bathing suit, where the best “seat” in the house is in an on deck Jacuzzi on a private luxury yacht???
Welcome to Miami! Bienvenidos a Miami!
In conclusion, attending a Grand Prix event on a yacht is the ultimate in corporate hospitality. Come experience the excitement and glamour of Formula 1 racing in 2018.
This entry was posted in News Special Events and tagged Formula One, Canada F1 Race, downtown Miami, Hard Rock, Alfa Romeo, yacht charter miami, special event yacht charter, waterfront Grand Prix races, 2021, Maserati, luxury yacht charter, corporate event, City of Miami, economic juggernaut, Norman Braman, Amazon, Joe's Stone Crab, Vicente Betancourt, Sean Bratches, yacht charter, Royal Caribbean, Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, 5th Street Gym, Mandarin Oriental, Tom Garfinkel, Celebrities Who Enjoy Yacht Charter, Carnival, Miami Grand Prix, Lewis Hamilton, Miami-Dade County, Jana Sheeder, Jeff Bezos, Ferrari, Bottas, 1800yachtcharters, The Biltmore, race teams, Vettel, Monaco Grand Prix, Romero Britto, Florida Formula One, Raikkkonen, president of 1-800 Yacht Charters, Singapore, Michael Buffer, Verstappen, F1, Budapest, South Beach, Hard Rock Stadium, Mercedes
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Miami’s premier superyacht marina, Island Gardens Deep Harbour, is under new management. The “upgrade” in management, in our opinion, is long overdue.
The new name for the Miami Superyacht Marina is Yacht Haven Grande Miami at Island Gardens. The marina opened in 2016 and is the annual home of the SuperYacht Miami Show each February.
Island Global Yachting (also known as IGY Marinas) will operate the rebranded Miami marina. This destination offers 50 superyacht berths – for yachts up to a maximum length of 550ft. In-slip fueling is available. High-power electrical service is also available.
The marina is located on Watson Island. The island is ideally located between Miami Beach to the east and downtown Miami to the west. Indeed, the views of the Miami skyline are postcard-perfect. The proximity to trendy area hotspots is unbeatable. This deep-water marina is always our first choice for our Miami yacht charter clients. Nevertheless, the marina was less than ideal for the yacht crews as they awaited the arrival of our charter guests. Specifically, the marina lacked a captain and crew lounge. Furthermore, customs and immigration assistance was sketchy at best.
IGY has resolved these issues. There is now a crew lounge, as well as a conference room. Additionally, concierge services are available including valet and laundry/dry cleaning. On-site dining is also available. In fact, the newly re-opened dock-side café, aptly named, “The Deck” is described by Forbes as “Miami’s Hottest New Restaurant.”
We’re excited to take advantage of the new services and amenities. Apprehension gives way to anticipation, as we await the upcoming Superyacht Miami show (February 2021). We are unsure as to whether the show will go on or be well-attended in 2021. In specific, Covid, the pandemic, the Coronavirus changed the landscape of events. What’s exciting about the show? As an example, in the past, we transported prospective clients to the show via yacht tenders. The car parking lot was poorly maintained. We found it simpler, cleaner, more in tune with the theme, AND more fun to arrive via boat. Arrival by car is once again an option, with IGY concierge services in place.
Many of the Miami superyacht charter vessels we represent attend this yacht show. In fact, February weather is ideal for our company President Jana Sheeder to shoot yacht inspection videos of our favorite superyachts [such as Benetti yacht 11.11 and Lurssen yacht Martha Ann.]
We’re excited to welcome IGY Marinas to Miami. Moreover, we look forward to commencing more Miami superyacht charter vacations from this rebranded location.
In conclusion, book a superyacht with us for your own private luxury yacht charter vacation today! Contact your yacht charter brokers at 1-800 Yacht Charters at 305-720-7245. If you prefer, complete our online inquiry form at https://1800yachtcharters.com/book-now/ .
We will be in touch with you right away to plan The Superyacht Experience™ for you!
This entry was posted in News Special Events Educational Yacht Charter and tagged Benetti, The Deck, yacht walkthrough, Miami, Miami's Hottest New Restaurant, business rebranding, Superyacht Marina, superyacht concierge services, Covid and boat shows, Lurssen yacht charter, yacht charter miami, superyacht concierge marina, Will there be boat shows in miami due to Covid, 11-11, Miami Skyline, Covid-19, Covid, Jana Sheeder, South Beach, customs and immigration, Coronavirus, special events and covid, president of 1-800 Yacht Charters, motoryacht Martha Ann, downtown Miami, Superyacht Miami 2021, boat show, martha ann, sobe, Miami Beach, 1-800 Yacht Charter videos, Covid-19 pandemic, Miami Boat Show, Yacht Haven Grande, Forbes, yacht charter videos, Superyacht Miami Show, Island Gardens, Miami Florida, Benetti video, Watson Island, IGY Marinas, yacht show, superyacht video walkthrough
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There is an old saying in football. When your team is on offense, “take what the defense gives you.” In other words, make the most of the opportunities that come your way.
No one understands that mentality more than our head honcho, Jana Sheeder, President of 1-800 Yacht Charters.
Every President’s Day weekend, #Jana rallies our team, and we invade the Miami Yacht Show. The show is held in Miami Beach, Florida. This year’s show runs from February 15 – 19, 2018.
The Miami Yacht Show is known predominately as a “sales” show. Few yacht charter brokers attend. They prefer to wait until the charter-only show season in late Spring. What they don’t realize, and Jana does, makes her a leader in the industry. Multiple charter yachts quietly list for sale. They attend shows like #Miami before entering the charter season.
Sheeder and her team use this opportunity to inspect yachts and interview crews privately. Competitors cannot try to eavesdrop on our conversations. They are not in attendance! Fewer distractions and interruptions enable us to spend quality time with the crews. Firstly, we discuss our past charters. Secondly, we plan fresh itineraries and activities for guests. We look for ways to deliver a unique #Superyacht Experience to our repeat and new clients.
Of course, having more time to see the yachts only matters if you can get to the yachts – a tall task when the superyachts are spread across Miami Beach in two locations – one in front of the classic hotels along Collins Avenue, and the other 4 miles to the south, at Jungle Island Deep Harbor Marina.
Anyone who has visited Miami Beach during the yacht show knows the roadways are snarled by heavy vehicle congestion. It can literally take an hour in traffic to travel just one mile along Collins Avenue, with drivers cruising slowly to gawk at and take photos of the hundreds of yachts docked just feet away from the roadway. Whether in a taxi, Uber, Lyft, or private car – it’s all the same: traffic, traffic, traffic…
Fortunately for us, Jana developed the ultimate solution to avoid gridlock – we zip around the marinas and pull up at the docks via boat! Professional, fun, and unique – wonder what she has up her sleeve for the future?
We use limousines and suv’s at every show to cater to clients. Cars and traffic do not mix.
For this year’s show, we used a Jupiter 31 center console model (after our Van Dutch 55 had mechanical problems). [Side bar: The Van Dutch is a stylish cruiser, and some of our superyacht clients had flown in to inspect several luxury yacht charter vessels with us. We thought they would be bummed not to cruise “in style” on the Van Dutch 55. Turns out they had a blast with Jana – roaring around Biscayne Bay in the fast Jupiter, and cruising up the Miami River for a dockside late lunch and sunset at the Casablanca Seafood Restaurant. A special bonus was the sighting of a manatee and dolphins! The Miami Magic…]
Some of our most popular charter yachts (and crews) came to town, including:
We also took the opportunity to inspect some brand new yachts for sale. Why would we look at yachts not currently in charter? Many buyers in the market for a brand new yacht will often buy a yacht, then enter it into the charter marketplace. If this is done after the boat show season, there may not be an opportunity to inspect the yacht for many months. We prefer to promote charter yachts that we have inspected, and while that’s not always the case, taking the time to look at popular, newly-built models increases the odds that we will see a new charter yacht before our competitors do. We’re always looking for ways to stay a step ahead!
Our favorite new model at this year’s show is the NAVETTA 33, from the custom series of yachts built by Italy’s Ferretti Yachts.
Ferretti has already sold ten hulls since the model was launched in 2017. After inspecting this yacht, it is easy to see why. The Navetta 33 Ferretti features a voluminous interior flooded with natural light through floor-to-ceiling windows. We walked through with one of our clients who has designed contemporary interiors for luxury suites in NBA arenas – and she was just as impressed!
So there you have it – another great yacht show for 1-800 Yacht Charters. Jana took our team (and our clients) on some of the most popular luxury yacht charter vessels found anywhere in the world. We also saw newly built yachts, and we’re anxious to see them enter the charter market.
Most importantly, we had the opportunity to spend quality time with our clients and share with them another aspect of our dedication to Delivering The Superyacht Experience…
This entry was posted in Yacht Charter Good Times Special Events and tagged Bliss, Jana Sheeder, Quite Essential, newest yachts, Jupiter Center Console, president of 1-800 Yacht Charters, dockside dining, Miami Beach Boat Show, Van Dutch 55, Miami, Van Dutch, Double Down, manatee, Codecasa, dolphin, South Beach, Miami Yacht Show, 1-800 Yacht Charters, Ferretti Custom Line 33, special events
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