How to buy a yacht?

How to buy a yacht?

Together with Ian Sherwood, broker for over 9 years currently working at Burgess yachts, we bring you the top insight tips on HOW TO BUY A YACHT.

Burgess yachts is one of the biggest brokerage houses in the world. They sell between 30-40 vessels per year! Is not only the number of vessels per year, is also the fact that they sell the biggest and highest valued transactions which are completely unrivaled in the industry.

Whilst they may attract headlines for some high profile yacht sales, they are actually a full service yacht company (not only sales but also management and even insurance)

The initial brief

In order for the broker to really understand your needs, he almost needs to psychoanalyze you to truly understand what makes you tick and find ‘the perfect yacht FOR YOU’, it may not be the perfect yacht for someone else, or not even the perfect deal for the broker, but he will bend over backwards to find you ‘the one’.

Ian tells us that ‘Understanding the client is vital but it can be a difficult subject for some people to discuss.  The budget is probably the first topic that can be awkward, how much are they willing to spend and the broker has to understand if this is firm or whether there might be a little room to maneuver for the right opportunity.  Additionally, I want to know more about the dimensions.  If I am told a size, what is the reason for that?  Something practical like the dimensions of an existing berth or is it a personal preference or even to allow for a certain feature’.

Sometimes the background information gives you the best picture to move forward.  How does the client use their current yacht?  Where do they like to cruise and with whom?  Can you pick up on the interior style and taste from the current boat to help focus your yacht search.

There are sometimes cultural differences that may also be a factor about why a client is focused or guarded about what they are looking for.  But the key is to know what is the trigger point.  Some will be brand or region specific as a key factor, others will be driven by price or perceived value.

Buy pre-owned or build a new custom yacht?

After the broker has practically psycho-analyzed you, he will then be able to asses whether there is any yacht available in the market that matches your requests or if it is better to consider building a custom new yacht.

Production vs. full custom

Once you know what you want, it becomes a lot easier to find something that matches those goals. Another important thing you need to ask is whether you’re happy with a production yacht, or do you want to go for a custom yacht. The prices of both differ significantly, and so does their suitability for you.

Production yachts are mass-produced and assembled by factories like Sunseeker, and they start around $100,000 to $5 million. Semi-custom or fully custom yachts are considerably more expensive. A semi-custom yacht averages about $25 million, while a fully custom boat can reach $150 million.

What is more important for you? time or money? this will preclude new yachts from being part of the shortlist.

Traditionally many clients who choose to build a new custom project have previously owned yachts and with this experience they have a clearer list of requirements and can define what it is they want.  But a younger demographic of owners that have often accumulated wealth rapidly are bucking this trend and will often commence their yachting experiences by building a new yacht.

Whilst a brand new yacht is often seen as aspirational it is still a sector that is volatile to market pressures.  Lengthy waiting periods, rising costs and shipyard capacities are all factors that encourage clients to look at existing yachts in the brokerage market.

THE YACHT SALES PROCESS

OK, you found your dream yacht, now what?!

Once we have a price agreed, we now need the legal teams to create the offer document and although it is based on a standard document, the US and Europe have slightly different templates, it will be tailored to the exact circumstances of this yacht.

A great piece of advice that was given to me early in my brokerage career is to learn where the boundaries are of my role.  There is no point in me trying to advise a client on ownership structures or VAT issues for example as there are people far better qualified to do so.  So a key aspect of yacht broking is building relationships with industry specialists that can support clients and solve potential obstacle during the sale process.

The Sea- Trial

The first major event will be the buyer’s sea trial.  The aim is for the buyer to confirm that they like the yacht and it meets their expectations before they progress any further.  It is essentially a snapshot of life onboard when they are the owner.  A recent sea trial for a client of mine spent more time at anchor and swimming/having lunch than actually moving, but that is what the client wanted and they subsequently purchased the yacht.  The most obvious gauge for me is whether the client is smiling or not during this stage.

The Survey

Assuming the “test drive” has been a successful then usually the survey will begin.  This is the most common example of where a broker can get it wrong.  It’s vital that the buyer has the chance for an independent team to assess the yacht condition and her systems and so my role at this point is to remain impartial.  I will often be asked to recommend a surveyor or even a lawyer at the beginning of the process and my answer is always to give 3 or 4 options of suitable candidates and then let the client choose, my input has to be to facilitate and not influence the process at this point.

There will be occasions when the yacht dictates who is suitable for the shortlist.  In 2019 I sold the most beautiful vintage motor yacht and then it is a very different survey to one which would be required for a modern day fast aluminium high performance yacht, so the survey team have to be fit for purpose.  For larger yachts the process may take a team of surveyors 4 or 5 days to complete the inspection and how much detail depends on the client’s instructions.  Everything from oil samples and a borescoping the engines all the way to testing the TV system is working in the guest cabins will be conducted and then a report is written for the buyer’s records.

The punching bag moment

If there is any dispute or point of interest raised in the survey, then this needs to be worked through with the owner’s team and then the way forward will be determined.  Occasionally this will involve extending the timeframe for the deal to allow for a repair to be undertaken or even amending the overall price of the sale if a significant issue has been discovered.  This is when the broker will demonstrate their worth to the client, working as an intermediary and finding a resolution.  One of my colleagues in Monaco describes us as needing to be the “punchbag” during this phase.  It requires a calm head to mediate and it can be quite a difficult period as emotions are often running high at this point.

The ‘key’ handover

Once the findings from the survey are accepted then it is just the administrative preparation ahead of the sale being concluded.  On the actual day there are likely to be two events running simultaneously, a closing meeting with the legal team for each side and then the activities on the yacht.  Onboard, documents will be checked for the final time and if the crew are being replaced then this changeover will also occur.  Whilst onshore the lawyers will have a protocol written so that we work down the list and tick off the items in sequence, culminating with the release of money from an escrow account and exchange of documents to reflect that the yacht ownership has now changed hands.

 

and voila!! That is how you buy a yacht! simple right? ?

BROKER DETAILS:

If you want to buy a yacht, contact Ian Sherwood for professional advice, and I’ll guarantee you, he will not only find the best yacht for you but also you will certainly enjoy the process!


How to find the right yacht sales broker?

How to find the right yacht sales broker?

Finding the right broker is essential for your journey to assist you with your investment and experiencing yachting to the highest levels! A broker not only sells you the yacht, he is actually providing you with a bespoke experience, through the provision of products and his own network on specialist services, and all of the support that delivers it.

Over the years I have noticed that there are several factors that repeat the pattern from success-stories of happy yacht owners. Here are some of them:

Chemistry

Is a personal relationship choosing the horses for courses, often the broker and the clients have same age- range similar likes and hobbies like hunting or golfing, there has to be chemistry between them and they have to have things in common,. Because the client and the broker will spend a lot of time together, it is important that there is a strong compatibility factor. Neither does the broker nor the owner want to work closely for 2-5 years with someone you personally find objectionable.

Language

Language is also an important factor. For example some Russian-speaking Owners prefer to deal mainly with Russian brokers. I think this is obvious as you naturally get along with people who share the same history and traditions. It is not about understanding what is being said, it is rather about understanding what is not being said aloud. The famous “read between the lines” is significantly simpler when you communicate in your mother-tongue.

Location

If it is a boat that is appealing more to the American Market than the European market for example, then the owner might choose to go with a broker that has a strong presence and strong sales record in USA. If the owner lives in Monaco and likes to go cruising in the Med, he might have a yacht sales broker based in Monaco whom he can meet often at the yacht club and have nice chats and drinks and talk about fun things after work.

Track sales

For yacht owners selecting a yacht broker, it is important to also check which boats have been recently sold by the broker him/herself but also by brokerage house.  For new build, if a yacht owner wants advice on buying a 60 meter yacht, he is better informed and educated by a broker who has experience in that size range.For brokerage, If you are selling a 60meter yacht for example, you should check which brokerage house has recently sold yachts in that size range, most likely they will have the data base of potential buyers for your yacht

A  broker who has sold several similar yachts recently probably has a better idea of what your yacht is really worth in the current market. He is probably aware of similar vessels available in the market that could be the competition for prospective buyers.

Marketing Power

They have the right marketing tools to get yacht sold. A good broker will cover the costs of marketing the vessel, and will provide a marketing plan in regard to professional photography, magazine, digital marketing, advertising, brochures, boat show participation.

Yachting Knowledge

Brokers need to know every brand of yacht build there is out there, the pro’s and con’s, the shipyard management, the culture, the relationships with the yacht crew on board to have feedback on the performance of the yachts, the maintenance cost, etc.

‘Most client don’t really know what they want’ it is the expertise of the yacht broker who will be able to match client-to-yacht based on the broker’s experience.

The broker also should know the operational costs of the yachts he/she is proposing to his clients before they buy it. Usually operational costs are around 5% of the cost of the price of the yacht (depending on the brand and the age of the vessel) but for example a 58 million euros North European-built yacht of 900 GT the operational costs would be circa 2.200.000 – 2.500.000 Euros depending on a number of factors like one or two seasons operation, private or commercial use, and most importantly the number of crew. A broker should know the typical running costs for different types of vessel and of the importance of being open and transparent about these to a potential purchaser.

Yacht brokers need to constantly be visiting shipyards and speaking to key industry players to stay up to date with advancements so they can properly educate their clients ‘visiting shipyards on a regular basis is a vital part of understanding the philosophy and USPS behind every yard.

Expect professional expertise and extensive market knowledge, information from advanced databases, full specification sheets listing all of a yacht’s features and links with the global market. The more forward-thinking a company is and the more it gives you the impression of regular contact with clients, the more you can rest assured.

The Industry network

The relationship between brokers it is important. They know each other and they build reputation on previous selling cases. It is also a matter of personality and business ethics. Some brokers simply don’t want to work with others. Therefore a brokers reputation is very important.

Reputation

A company’s reputation – apart from obvious tell-tale signs of untrustworthy, look out for things like how patient they are and good rapport – and process of payment are worth checking out. Having an idea of their spread in the international market can help you conclude whether a broker is the right one for you.

CLIENT/BROKER RELATIONSHIP

Ian Sherwood from Burgess Yachts tells us:

‘My relationships with clients are based purely on trust, if they do not have faith in what I say to them or if they do not want to deal with me, then they will replace me with another broker who they have formed a better connection with.  They are busy people and usually don’t have the time or inclination to fly and inspect 10 yachts, they want to see 3 that have been carefully shortlisted and fit their requirements’

 

Prior to joining Burgess I spent 5 years in Australia as a broker and found that over 60% of my sales were with returning clients or new faces who were directly referred to me, which I took to be a huge compliment.  My focus is just the same nowadays in the Superyacht industry and I regularly look how I am best serving the interests of my enquiries and yacht owners.

Yachting is chosen as an escape for many people, they want to own or charter a boat in order to relax and wind down away from their usual lives.  But for the industry, we have to remember that our collective professionalism is what enables the clients to enjoy their leisure time.

Brokers must maintain the highest standards in the same way that the crew will operate onboard as it will determine the overall client experience.

Professional knowledge is obviously important, but I also have to stand behind what I say and how I advise them.  The most successful brokers are those that operate with integrity as they retain the support of the client and then work together on multiple occasions.  The broker who is driven to get the deal the done at all costs, will enjoy the rewards in the short term but then often struggle to maintain the client’s trust and then find that they have missed out on the next occasion

Without knowledge or experience it is easy to find yourself led astray by the inspiring yacht concepts of boundary-pushing designers or talked into building a super-fast yacht with technical capabilities you’ll never use.

Can you buy a yacht without a broker?

It is definitely possible, but for a purchase of this magnitude there cannot be many examples in life where a client would allocate a budget of this size to a purchase without using the guidance of an industry specialist to assist them.    Typically, a sale will involve a number of people who are often spread out in several countries/time zones and the complexities of ownership and registry further complicate matters.  A professional yacht broker is a fantastic advantage for the client and will facilitate the sale so that their best interests are being looked after for what is hopefully a smooth and successful purchase.

A broker will also know much more than is in the public domain and information that you simply would not find out about as an individual client.  Off-market opportunities, the motivation of the seller, industry factors, market data and price comparisons are all common topics that I discuss with a potential buyer.  We can open doors and find situations that others can’t and in small industry like yachting, our reputation is vital, so there is no resting on our laurels, maintaining our relationship with the client is a never ending process.

There are also advantages in terms of privacy and credibility, there will be a degree of professional courtesy that is offered to me when dealing with other brokers and shipyards.  Until a direct negotiation is taking place there is no need for me to disclose the identity of the client nor their financial situation in order to maintain discretion.  As an individual you are much more likely to be challenged at every step, to demonstrate credentials and establish some background details.  With a fast moving scenario, this may preclude you from being part of the action.

Finding a yacht online

The internet has changed the process of how yacht buyers research yachts and find inspiration, the major websites have very comprehensive lists of available yachts and they are receiving a huge level of traffic every day.  The thirst for instant information and high-resolution images has led these sites to readily distribute content directly to phones and tablets.

For the industry they create increased exposure to potential clients and promote the brokerage companies to a wider audience.  They offer the yacht buyer an ability to target their interests in a tightly controlled way and filter comparable yachts for sale.

It however is a common misconception that the information displayed is a true reflection of the market conditions.  Don’t forget, all figures shown are asking prices and not the actual transacted prices, so when using the websites to benchmark against price for example, they lack real time accuracy.

You have to be careful, and don’t believe everything you read, some boats are already sold, poor images, wrong specs,

It can often be confusing about who the actual central agent is and there are occasions where the information is being misrepresented by a third party.  Errors occur because it has been taken out of context or is out of date, but the information is often left out there as a butterfly net to hopefully lure in potential clients.

MATCH- MAKER

They call me the Yachting Match-Maker for a reason! if you want me to help you find the perfect yacht sales broker to you, just drop me a line and I will make sure to introduce you (or provide you with a list of the top 3 brokers) suitable to either sell your existing yacht or find you ‘THE one’.


A day in the life of a yacht broker

A day in the life of a yacht broker

Quick Q&A with Ian Sherwood from Burgess Yachts

How did you started in yachting?

I first worked for a charter company in Sydney harbour organising a fleet of small self-sail yachts and running corporate racing days.

How did you become a yacht broker

Having realized that my future was going to be in yachting it then just meant finding which corner of the industry that I wanted to specialize in.  A position was being offered by a local company for a yacht broker in a 100% commission based role and although I had no sales training or experience I was drawn to the challenge.

How long have you worked for Burgess?

Four years since 2016

What does a day-in-the-life-of-a-broker look like?

Fundamentally each day has the same objectives.  Listing yachts, selling yachts and prospecting for new opportunities.  Although in reality there is a great deal of variety in how to undertake these tasks.  Travel is a huge part of the job and regardless of where I am, there is a need to be contactable for clients and the rest of the industry.  There are great days and experiences onboard some incredible yachts in beautiful places, but a huge amount of the time it is endless phone calls and dealing with inquiries/follow ups.


Travel Pre-Packing List for clothes

Travel Pre-Packing List for clothes

I really think this is THE best tip for travelling light and to avoid over packing.

Before I even start packing, I start by making a list, in a piece of paper starting by the days I will be gone. For example: Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday Monday. That is 5 days, hence I need 5 pair of underwear.

If you don’t make the list, most likely you start stressing ‘Oh God I need to pack’ ‘Oh I dont know what to pack’and you go straight to your closet, take EVERYTHING OUT, start putting things inside your luggage cause ‘you might need them’ and then you find yourself sitting on top of the luggage trying to zip it and with a huge bill at the counter for over weight luggage! The truth is, you come back from your trip and you didn’t even wear half of the things you packed! plus it doesnt leave you any space for shopping at your destination!

Then I write down what is the plan for every day, so I can plan an outfit accordingly.

Thursday

Travelling day, a casual plane outfit, or if it is a business trip I wear a comfortable business outfit and perhaps a night-out dinner outfit. (one casual outfit, one night outfit)

Friday

  • Sports outfit for morning routine.
  • Business day, hence one business outfit.

Saturday

  • Sports outfit for morning routine.
  • Sightseeing day, casual outfit depending on the weather (one casual outfit)
  • One dinner/ party outfit

Sunday

  • Sightseeing day, casual outfit
  • Pack anything needed for the weather, so for summer (bikini, dress, flip flops, etc.)

Monday

  • Travelling day, hence a casual outfit something comfortable to fly back home.

 

Hence in total all I need is:

  • 5 underwear
  • 3 Casual outfits
  • 2 Business outfit
  • 2 Night out outfit
  • 2 Sports Outfits

Mix and Matching

Since I need 2 business outfits, I would pack 1 dark blue suit, and two different white tops, same shoes matching the suit so I dont need to pack more shoes.

Same for casual outfits, I would pack 1 pair of jeans and 3 different tops, and one pair of shorts or skirt.

For night out dress I would pack probably 2 different ones but use the same shoes. I always pack only 1 small night handbag and one day bag/travel bag.

Sport outfits are easy to roll and place them in between empty holes inside the luggage. Sports shoes on the other hand take a lot of space.

Shoes take a lot of space! so try to make your outfits according to the shoes you will wear.

Once you have the list you know exactly what underwear to wear for each outfit so you are not stressing during the trip that you are wearing a black bra under a white shirt for example!

 

Color code

The easiest way to pack, is if you stick always to the same color scheme so you can always mix and match. I like to always wear dark blue, white, beige, and mix and match everything. You can always light it up with some accessories like a scarf to give it a different look.

Once the list is ready, i have a very good visual picture of what I need so then I go to my closet and start selecting.

Bed Mountain

Once I took all the clothes out of my closet, I place them on top of my bed as a mountain. I then start filtering out those things I threw in that I might not really need.

Then I have in front of me all the outfits I really need, and I put them so I can see the pants the shirt and the shoes I will be wearing that day, so I make sure I dont forget something (like the right color socks!)

Folding

Then I start folding the clothes, with my hand I make sure they are all really squared and flat.

Square mountains

Once they are all really flat, I start stalking them up in squares, up the same height as the luggage. Once I have my first square mountain, I place it inside the luggage and start placing them like tetris.

Separate the luggage

I usually like to have a mental map of the things I pack inside my luggage so that is easier to reach it. I always pack the same way so for me it is pretty easy.

Left side of the luggage, is where I put all accessories, shoes, sports shoes, handbags, make up bag, hair straightener, etc.

Mid pocket, in that middle pocket that separate both sides, I like to put inside there my underwear and bras.

Right side of the luggage, is where I stalk all my squared mountains.

Everything else, I just try to make it fit in between the holes and corners.

So there you have it, making a list will save you A LOT of time, and money on over weight luggage, and you will feel so ready for the trip! There is a saying that you actually need to make one step backwards in order to jump further, and I think it applies here since you need to take a bit of time to write the list to gain a lot of time packing and enjoying your trip!

These are tips for PACKING CLOTHES ONLY, if you want the Ultimate packing list to make sure you dont forget anything, go check out my other blog post here.

Safe travels!

https://www.onboardwithmarcela.com

Instagram: @onboardwithmarcela


Tips for visiting a boat show

Tips for visiting a boat show

Looking to buy a yacht? Want to get inspired for your new one? are you a yachting fan? or simply love to attend boat shows?! Then this blog post is for you.

Visiting a boat show can be overwhelming if you don’t do it the right way. Therefore, here are some tips to make the best of your visit!

TIPS FOR VISITING A BOAT SHOW

Yacht shows can be overwhelming, and they are usually really hot!

What to wear

Wear something light and comfortable to resist the high temperatures. You will regret forgetting your hat or sunglasses at home, as you will certainly need them!

Wear shoes that you can easily put on and off, since you will have to remove your shoes before boarding the yachts. Loafers for men and ballerinas for women are perfect! If you are a girl, the number one faux-pas is to wear high heels! I would also recommend you to wear shorts over a short skirt or a dress, as you will often be going up the narrow stair on decks, and it might be embarrassing and revealing.

There is an inside joke ‘how to find the English brokers? just look for the red faces!’ Moral of the story, do not forget to apply sunscreen! I know it sounds cliché, and usually men hate wearing sunscreen, but spending 4-5 hours yacht-hoping can burn you, and you will regret it when you get home. Try using this soft-touch non sticky sunscreen.

Get Tickets

If you are an existing yacht owner, simply call the shipyard who built your yacht, or call your preferred broker. They will be happy to arrange entrance badges for you and provide you with a bespoke luxury experience.

For example, If you are looking for production yachts like Sunseeker, they will be happy to provide you with guest day passes.

Else you can pre-buy the tickets online at a discount, or get them at the entrance of the show.

The Monaco Yacht show provides the Sapphire experience which provides VIP entrances, courtesy car (great option because it is almost impossible to get a taxi during the show!) private visits to yachts, private area for lunch, tender services, conciergerie, and more..!

This is a great option for celebrities or public figures requiring security and privacy.

YACHT VIEWINGS

Monaco is a great example where there is too much to see and too many distractions, so it is important to truly understand the intentions of what you want to buy, do or see. My tip would be to understand that everything is just a little slower at a boat show, so don’t try to do too much too quickly.

Have a chat with your broker ahead of the event, so that he can prepare and have a list already pre- identified, and line up appointments in advance and have a loose schedule. That will enable you to have immediate access when you arrive to the yacht and avoid the queues for those yachts which are in most demand. For tips on ‘how to find a yacht broker check out my other blog post here.

The magic number of yacht viewings per day is: three, never more than four, as everything blurs together after that point. 

If however you insist in doing four (or more) we reccomend you to take a quick pause for a drink or a light lunch in the middle in order to reflect on what have you seen already, and then discuss with your broker in organizing ‘one last viewing’based on the feedback from the day.

Ian sherwood from Burgess, shares his experience with us:

Time pressure at boat shows is always a challenge, so when a client is on time it is an enormous help and will ensure that you are receiving the best experience when onboard.

 

Often I will coordinate additional external assistance if the situation dictates.  Last year for example I was showing an explorer yacht to a couple who had very specific plans for the yacht they were looking to purchase.  During the yacht inspection I had arranged for us to be joined by a polar expedition guide and later a submarine specialist was waiting in the tender garage to discuss technical suitability because they were both points of specific interest.

 

 

This is the level of personalized experience only an experienced yacht broker will provide you!

If you are new to yachting, don’t worry I got you! For now, go ahead and read my blog post on Yachting Etiquette’ on everything you need to know before boarding a yacht.

Always ask for permission before you take a photo! Some yachts do not allow pictures on board. Some yacht owners have highly valuable pieces of art (that even if you dont mean to take a picture of it, it may show on your picture) and it can cause some privacy issues. Moreover, some owners spend hours and a lot of efforts on the interior design and they don’t want anyone else coping it.

Viewing a yacht without an appointment

You can certainly view a yacht without an appointment but you may have to wait. At the show there are many yachts, and they are being exhibited at the show for different reasons:

  1. Shipyard model: The Yacht is presented by the shipyard who built it and they are looking for a client to buy it. In some cases the yacht has been already sold, but the owner allows the shipyard to present the yacht to the brokerage industry to show its building capabilities.
  2. Charter yachts: The yacht is presented by the charter company, and they are selling charter weeks onboard. In some cases, the yacht is not for sale, only for charter.
  3. Private yacht: The yacht is a used pre-owned yacht, and the owner is looking to sell it. The yacht is presented by the CA brokerage company.

Some shipyard models, have never been used before and do not have an owner. The shipyard is presenting it in order to find a buyer. those yachts are somewhat easier to view than private yachts.

You can simply register your name with the hostess and arrange a time for a viewing on board.

Private yachts are more difficult to get access onboard. Something to remember is that a yacht can be an extension of a private home of the owner. How would you feel about having thousands of strangers going through your home recklessly? – that is why some yacht owners specifically ask the brokers to pre-qualify the viewers before going onboard. The yacht is exposed there to be sold, therefore the broker needs to pre-qualify the views to make sure they are real potential clients and not there just to browse.

Don’t take it personally if they do not allow you onboard (they are just doing their job) Exhibiting a yacht in a show can cost up to $ 100,000 or more, the time is limited, every viewing can take up to an hour and they want to ensure a proper service (not rushing and bumping into a million other people onboard)! they want to make sure they show the yacht to real qualified clients, and don’t want to waste their time. Brokers spend a lot of money and efforts on boat shows, and their biggest frustration is if they spent the day showing the yacht (and having long conversations) to 10 people who cannot afford the yacht, and that one client who could buy it, did not had time to visit it because the schedule was full!

Also, the interior materials on board are very delicate, and if you have 10000 people stepping on the carpet, touching all the delicate textiles, etc it can easily damage and ruin the yacht.

This is why it is always advised to visit the show with a broker because he will make sure to get you preferred access.

Although it might look like a lot of fun, it is also very exhausting as an exhibitor to do the viewings. I remember we had a 70 meter yacht at the MYS once, I was doing the viewings, and I can tell you, is a workout! You go up and down the stairs, on 4-5 levels, every viewing takes about 30-45mins of non-stop walking, then you go from being super hot outside to the freezing AC inside (I always get sick after a show!) you practically never sit down, and you do this for 10 hours non-stop!

Arrange your RDV’s

After you have visited some yachts and you got inspired, make sure you arrange your Rendez-vous (RDV) with shipyards, designers, naval architects, and suppliers to come around the table and share your feedback!

Boat shows are the best place to meet people and get a sense on which company you want to work with. You can visit various stands to get ideas, get contacts but most importantly ‘feel the people’ so you know the team behind the brand, and to test if there is good chemistry between you. In personal meetings, you will a lot of information and a feeling sense, that you wouldn’t get without visiting a show.

THINK GREEN

After the show’s there are mountains of brochures, glossy magazines, flyers and marketing material which end up in the bins (is actually really sad to see!) be mindful of the environment, and ask your preferred companies to send you all the details by e-mail.


Packing List

Packing List

The Ultimate travelling Packing List

Before your travel, and even before you get your luggage, you can always go back to this list and make sure you are not forgetting anything!

Even though the list may look long, I am pro- TRAVELLING LIGHT, remember less is more! Travel smarter!

Before you start packing, I also recommend you to read my blog post on Packing Tips.

Clothing

  • Clothes: make a list with number of days and check the weather.
  • Underwear/ Bras
  • Socks
  • Pajamas !! (I always forget these!)
  • Pants
  • Shirts
  • Dress
  • Sport outfits
  • Weather variables (jacket or bikini)

*The worst thing you can do is over-packing for the ‘just in case’ avoid the extra things, which honestly you wont need, think minimal.

Shoes

Always try to pack shoes which will match with all your outfits so you don’t over pack.

Check the weather of your destination and pack accordingly, rainy boots or sunny flip flops?

  • Flats (leisure shoes, walking shoes, dress shoes, flip flops, sandals, loafers)
  • High heels
  • Sport sneakers

I usually just pack one pair of each and try to always pack similar colors and styles.

Accessories

Check the weather of your destination and pack accordingly, snow jackets or bikinis?

  • Jacket
  • Scarf (always! they are multi functional while travelling!)
  • Sunglasses
  • Hats
  • Umbrella
  • Electric plug converters
  • Gloves
  • Belt
  • Ties
  • Purse
  • Pashmina
  • Beach wear/ Snow gear

I always forget to pack my belt (!) and the electric plug converters! they are so bloody expensive it hurts me to buy new ones each time i travel but I always forget to pack them, and now I own a collection of them at home.

Carry on Handbag

  • Cell phone!
  • Passport/Visas
  • Boarding passes/ iPhone wallet
  • Frequent Flyer card/ airline memberships / airport card
  • Phone charger
  • Extra battery
  • Laptop
  • Laptop charger
  • Business cards
  • Wallet/ local currency preferably cash
  • Anti bacterial gel
  • Scarf
  • Business documents
  • Book/magazine
  • Pen
  • Headphones
  • Car phone charger plug
  • Pain reliever pills
  • Copies of all documents (either digitally or printed) in case you get robbed in the jungle and need a proof of identity to fly back home!
  • Tissues
  • Lip balm
  • change of clothes
  • snacks
  • water bottle (fill it after security buy it in the airport to make sure you drink enough water!)
  • House/car Keys
  • Neck Pillow (long haul flights)
  • Extra phone battery charger

Toiletries

  • Make up bag / makeup-remover
  • Necessaire: tooth brush, tooth paste, deo, face cream, shaver , make up remover, hair brush, sunscreen, shampoo, conditioner, shaver, feminine hygiene, perfume
  • Hair brush
  • Hair gel/products

Forgetting your hair brush is one of the worst things it can happen when you travel! Specially if it is a business trip and you have important meetings early morning.

Some hotels provide most toiletries so keep that in mind to avoid over packing. Also depending on your trip it may be more convenient just to buy the toiletries at your destinations so you don’t have to carry them around and take the risk of them spilling out inside your luggage.

Extras

  • Jewelry (I suggest you make a note on your phone and write down what you packed so you don’t loose them and remember when was the last time you wore it)
  • Medication
  • camera/ memory card

Remember that you can always buy stuff when you arrive to your destination, so don’t panic if you forgot something, believe me, you will survive!

Most important are

  • Passport
  • Wallet
  • Phone

I wish you a BON VOYAGE!

If you want to make me really happy you can use the hashtag #onboardwithmarcela on your coming trips!

Follow me on instagram @onboardwithmarcela for more tips!


Restaurants with tender service to pick you up from your yacht

Restaurants with tender service to pick you up from your yacht

Are you yachting in the Cote d’azur and wondering where can you go for lunch? here are my recommendations for the top beaches with tender pick up service.

 

Roquebrune Cap- Martin

This is one of my favorites new beaches in the Cote d’azur. You can anchor in the bay between Roquebrune and Menton, I reccomend you to call them to make a reservation and ask them to come to pick you up by tender. They have a pontoon on the beach. This place has a lovely beach, a big area for kids with swings and playground, live music with a really cool band, great Mediterranean food and amazing service. Stefan the new manager used to work at Anjuna and he brough all of the best waiters from Anjuna to Solenzara. It is also easy access by car, so sometimes the boys go by boat and I take the car with the baby and is super easy to park (huge parking!) and easy to go there with a stroller, unlike Mala or Paloma which has a lot of stairs and is hard to get there by car. It is a very family- friendly beach (unlike Anjuna for example, which is more party)

 

Monaco

This is a breath-taking bay, it is the best beach in my opinion. There are two main restaurants, Eden plage (red umbrellas) and Cap resort (white umbrellas), they are both as good in terms of food and service but Cap Resort during the summer has good parties and DJ’s. It is really close to arrive from Monaco and it is a beautiful bay to anchor. I do not recommend to arrive to this beach by car as there are no parking and is a long steep walk.

The seawater is consistently clean as harbors are far away. Lazing in this semicircle of Mediterranean greenery and gazing out over the rippling translucent water is the Cote d’Azur at its best.

 

SAINT JEAN CAP FERRAT

This is a family friendly beach, great easy access from tender as there is a small pontoon nearby.

 

  • La Vigie

MONACO

This is my FAVORITE restaurant in Monaco, however we save it for a very special ocassion as it can be quite pricey, but the views, the food and the service are worth it!

I recommend you go to to the Champagne bar to watch the sunset!

 

  • Anjuna

EZE SUR MER

This is a local favorite for good parties! It is a lot of fun with live music, dancing on the tables, champagne showers, magic shows, costumes and all!

Best place to go for the post- Grand Prix finale and the GP-day-after Party. Make sure you make a booking to reserve before you go. In some cases when they are in high season they may ask you for a deposit for 300 euros.

Their end of season party in September is also a popular party to go!

We love to go there with friends since is a ‘day party’and you dont end up too tired or too hangover the day after.

I do not recommend this place for families as it can be too loud for babies and kids.

 

  • CLUB 55

ST TROPEZ

An all time favorite beach club in St Tropez! Is a place to go celebrity-watching.

We love to sit by the white couches by the beach for some drinks before lunch, is a great place to people watch, sit down order their 55 rose wine and enjoy!

Is a fun place to go there with friends or family and have a nice french lunch. They usually have live music and is a lovely ambiance.