EDITION 63: 4th–9th December 2024
As edition 63 of this incredible gathering of yachts, charter agents and crew approaches, we can look back to December 2023 with pride, knowing that what took place throughout the docks of English Harbour and Falmouth Bay was indeed quite spectacular. Those few days between the 4th & 9th of December 2023 brought the Antigua Charter Yacht Show back to its glory days, the days of Covid and extremes of recent yacht charter seasons but distant memories, the charter yachts were back again on steady seas.
But of course for all of those that know Antigua well, the fire that devasted the Antigua Yacht Club Marina on that awful, storm filled evening of October 2nd, will never be forgotten, it changed Falmouth Harbour and many lives in just a few short hours. Arriving for the show and driving into the car park close to where this building stood had one wondering what would be revealed behind the white board cladding that stood as a shield. Nothing remained to even hint at the devastation of only eight weeks before. The foundations had become a dazzling white platform containing a small bar and tables. It was amazing to see and wonder just, ‘How did that happen.’ Now plans are afoot to restyle this area and rebuild, even better than before.
But the show was indeed one of the best ever held. The yachts in attendance, 67 in total, were top quality, certainly of those that would charter in the Caribbean during the 2023/24 season, and in total length superseded anything that had gone before. The yachts on display were magnificent, and lit up the docks of English Harbour, Falmouth Marina and the Yacht Cub Marina magnificently, not just during the day, but at night with a dazzling display of lighting above and below the water line. During the day, as always, the Brokers and Vendors were free to walk amongst them as they met with each other, but more importantly with those hard-working crews, captains, engineers, deck and interior, that are all needed to bring the yachts, and show of this scale and importance to life, to make it breathe.
Having sailed vast distances to get to their allotted berth, the yachts had been turned out, in just a few days, if not hours, to look their sparkling best, and those that form the amazing crews were turned out in their spotless uniforms that allowed, just by a quick glance, visitors to ascertain their positions onboard. Many traditions of the marine world in which we operate have been around for centuries and yachting today relishes in those traditions, uniforms being one, but flags, horns and many more, unseen, remain as an integral part of running vessels of this scale.
But we also have the brokers that turn up in their hundreds to view the yachts on show. They do this for a reason, we can all look at a website, at this or that yacht, a bit like looking at a cake, but what is it really like, is it as those that are trying to sell it telling the truth, you will never find out until you have tasted it. Those charter agents are here to do the tasting for their clients, to go back and tell of their onboard experiences, to hear what others are saying about this or that vessel, they have to get it right, it’s a tough world dealing with the wealthy, get it wrong and they deal with
somebody else that is knocking on their door.
Many of the yachts hold daily lunches, and some full-on evening meals for those lucky few that get invited on board. Being pampered by the crew is a sales technique honed over years by experienced Captains, many who live by their charter reputations. They are a bit like a football club manager, their reputation follows them from yacht to yacht, where the captain goes, the agents follow, as do their clients. Of course many captains never move, or rarely, and will dedicate their lives to one family, owners like continuity alongside their yachting lifestyle.
As with all of the Antigua Charter Yacht Meetings the events that take place every day and evening are legendary and, without doubt, have set the format of other shows held around the world. The Concours de Chef and Tablescaping Competition are a great example, several questions are always asked of a yacht before a charter is placed. The obvious ones, size, cabins, sail/power, availability, cost, but pass all of these and then there is the overriding one, FOOD. The show addresses this with its Concours de Chef and Tablescaping competition, this awards prizes to all varieties of vessels and to win one, and get placed, is a great boost for the yacht and its charter possibilities, and of course for the Chef and Interior Crew themselves, it is an honour that can be attached to any CV when it comes to future job prospects. The presentations at the 2023 winners evening were overwhelmingly applauded with a turnout of hundreds at the awards ceremony, which came to a halt just after the final winners were announced with a torrential downpouring of rain. The best in show was M.Y. Samsara with Chef Sinead Finnigan and Chief Stewardess Stephanie Cave - see the full list of winners here.
But to wrap this up, if you are heading to the Caribbean for the 2024/25 winter season, and are thinking of chartering, there really is no better way to begin those incredible few months in paradise than spending a week or so in Antigua. The crew can experience a true Caribbean island and revel in English Harbour with its restaurants, bars and a history like no other, and, at the same time, they can all experience the fun and pride of taking part in the most exclusive and oldest charter yacht show that takes place anywhere in the world. Indeed, Antigua, a unique yachting experience like no other!
Get in touch for more information or check out our 2023 photo galleries...
