53 boats attend yacht show

A record 140 brokers attended the Fall Charter Yacht Show last week to meet captains and crewmembers aboard the 53 participating boats, organisers said.

The broker number represented a 20 percent increase from last year’s 117, and the vessel attendance was up from 45 last year, according to Janet Oliver, the executive director of the BVI Charter Yacht Society.

Society Chairperson Audrey Boulianne said the yachts offered a wide variety of options too.

“The size is one thing, but also every boat offers different things,” Ms. Boulianne told the Beacon. “Some of them specialise in diving; some of them do fishing; some of them are just more of a kind of fine dining, floating hotel, if you will. I mean, I would say this year — more so than many years — we’ve had a very interesting, varied representation of all those available products in our territory.”

The event was held from Tuesday to Friday of last week at Nanny Cay Resort and Marina, with additional slips at Hannah Bay Marina.

Yacht crewmembers talk with brokers the BVI Charter Yacht Society’s annual Fall Charter Yacht Show in Nanny Cay. (Photo: ALLISON VAUGHN)

Vendor showcase

The first night of the show, local vendors were invited to showcase their products.

“It’s so fantastic to get all the local businesses coming,” said Emma Clark, the chef aboard the Olivia Charles, which won second place for best in show for boats between 54 and 59 feet. “For the new people, knowing what there is, it’s fantastic. You know, there were so many people who turned up.”

Ms. Oliver said that one of the main things that makes the annual show unique is the territory’s location.

“The geographical layout of the BVI makes it just an ideal place for people to come in and be on charter, because if you aren’t necessarily a sailor yourself, you [can] sail for an hour on the boat; you [can] drop anchor; you [can] get out; you can go on land; you can go in the water, then up anchor [and] go somewhere else,” she said.

Susannah Deehan, a Virgin Islands-based broker for Ocean Getaways, said that when she is selling charters in the VI, she’s selling a “unique experience.”

“I think just the sense of community here is so strong,” Ms. Deehan told the Beacon.

She added that the yacht show provides a “small reflection” of the VI and its culture.

Positive feedback

Chef Kristiann Gips, who works aboard the Colibrí, said she received positive feedback from brokers not only on the boat but on the event as a whole.

“I think the BVI show has always been very well received,” said Ms. Gips, whose entrée won second place in the culinary competition. “But there were some quiet years there, sort of after [Hurricane] Irma. The show was very small for a while.”

This year’s show, she added, immediately followed a similar show on St. Thomas.

“I think having that comparison exactly side by side has just led to some positive feedback for the facilities and the experience here,” she said. “People say what a friendly show this is, and they’ve had really positive and flattering things to say about the calibre of boats and crews, so that makes us feel good.”

Yacht crewmembers for the Colibrí talk on Thursday afternoon between meeting with brokers during the BVI Charter Yacht Society’s annual Fall Charter Yacht Show in Nanny Cay. (Photos: ALLISON VAUGHN)

‘Great social atmosphere’

Crewmembers on the Colibrí, which won best in show for boats 60 feet and up, said they particularly enjoyed the social aspect of the show.

“For me, it’s a really great social atmosphere,” said Colibrí Captain Graham Gips. “I don’t often get to see the crews of all the other boats. I don’t often get to see the other boats.”

Ms. Clark, who earned the top prize for best dessert in the culinary competition, said meeting other crews can come in handy during the charter season.

“One huge thing about chartering is if you need some provisions, if you know somebody who’s in the same bay — you know, we’re all connected with the Charter Yacht Society, and we can message each other,” Ms. Clark said.

Awards

On the final night of the event last Thursday, crewmembers were celebrated as awards were passed out in categories including the “Best Crew,” which went to Mucho Gusto’s Dominic Baldzuhn and Hannah Staddonand.

Chefs were also honoured during a culinary and cocktail competition. Kiki Bouman on Sun Daze won best appetiser, Elise Lindbergh on Ocean Vibes won best entrée, and Ms. Clark on Olivia Charles won best dessert.

Also awarded were “Best in Show” prizes in each of four categories: For sailboats up to 53 feet, the award went to Caydon Harris and Natasha Milliken-Smith on Island Standard Time; for sailboats between 54 and 59 feet, it went to Will Hamilton, Anna Kane and Natia Barber on Gullwing; for sailboats 60 feet and up, it went to Mr. and Ms. Gips and Matilda Money-Kyrle on Colibrí; and for motor yachts, it went to Wouter Hanekoum and Kelly Sargent on Omakase.