BOAT reflects on the glorious 62nd instalment of the Antigua Charter Yacht Show...
For five days in December (from 4-8th of the month), the charter industry flocked to the picturesque bay of English Harbour at Nelson’s Dockyard for the 62nd instalment of the much-loved Antigua Charter Yacht Show. Set beneath the glorious Antiguan hills, the show remains in a league of its own with palpable energy, and excitement surrounding the events and charter fleet on display.
In 2023 there was a record number of registrations and more than 60 of the world’s most impressive charter vessels, with a combined LOA of more than 3,200 metres docked at Falmouth Harbour, Antigua Yacht Club Marina and Nelson’s Dockyard.
For the industry, the level of access participants have to the fleet on display along with the convivial atmosphere is like no other superyacht show. Over five days from 4 to 8 December, the show was filled with charter brokers, destination representatives, captains, managers, and a variety of vendors, all there to take in the action and the full social calendar put on by the show. Attendees included Y.CO , Edmiston, Camper and Nicholsons, Starboard Card, Dhole Yachts among many others.
At the very heart of the show is the social calendar, which is brimming with events around the docks. In its 62nd year, the Antigua Charter Yacht Show kicked off with a charitable gathering hosted by SuperYacht Charities to raise awareness for GILM inc and SYC Action Fund-Cash 4 Causes.
The official welcome dinner however was a true Caribbean affair at the 19th-century Clarence House which spectacularly overlooks the harbour. All attendees of the show gathered here to enjoy food, local performances and a live band. Paul Deeth, chairman of the Antigua Charter Yacht Meeting also took to the stage to officially mark the occasion and emphasise the importance of attendees' enjoyment of the show and the region itself, which he executes through not just a fabulous line-up of yachts but for exciting events, charity meets, competitions and parties. "I wish you all a successful show," says Deeth. "Here’s to new business, meeting old acquaintances, and making new contacts and friendships as you bask in the beauty of Nelson’s Dockyard and the surrounding English Harbour community."
The show offers a rare opportunity for brokers to get better acquainted with vessels in the charter fleet, from their own central agency and beyond, and discover what each vessel has to offer with unprecedented access to captains and crew. "Every year, the show just gets better and better," says Y.CO charter broker, Nick Hemming. "The atmosphere here is incredible and it's such a great way to see the yachts in all their glory."
Spread around Nelson’s Dockyard Marina, Antigua Yacht Club Marina and Falmouth Harbour Marina (all of which are easily accessible by the show's shuttle service), the yachts on display this year were unmatched and included 87.6-metre Golden Yachts motor yacht Project X with Camper and Nicholsons, the 56-metre Perini Navi sailing yacht Zenji with Cecil Wright and Partners and the 88-metre Maltese Falcon with Burgess.
"I find the show hugely valuable," says Luke Brennan of Ceicil Wright and Partners. "Being able to show yachts like Zenji here provides an amazing insight into her charter prowess and allows us to introduce the captain and crew to other brokers. It's really helpful for me to see more of the charter fleet, meet the crews and understand their potential in the market, you rarely get that level of insight, and it's great to be back. We've already made plans to return next year."
Every day from 9:30 am the three areas crammed with yachts officially open for viewing and attendees flocked to the quays to see the likes of Loon (at the show with IYC) and Parillion (with Edmiston). At midday, the show broke from viewing time to allow yachts to welcome brokers on board for private lunches to show off their culinary skills and entertain those on board. But running alongside the day's activities and festivities, a more official culinary event, the 23rd Annual Antigua Charter Yacht Show Concours de Chef and Tablescaping Competitions.
This year the prestigious awards were centred around global inspirations with an emphasis on sustainable products and sponsored by Shoreside Support, mymuybueno & Premier Cru Retail Stores. The theme was designed to encourage chefs to call upon their travels whereby each of their three courses represented a different country, cuisine or culture. Tablescapes were then primed to match the theme for the awards. In 2023, 29 yachts competed in the competition and the competition level was exceedingly high.
Concours de Chef Coordinator, Chef Elizabeth Lee said“It was deeply rewarding to facilitate such an exceptional display of fine cuisine and design from top charter yachts. I applaud all the 2023 participants and hope to see these and even more skilled yacht crews take part again next year."
To add to the challenge, each chef was to also use a secret ingredient which must be showcased in at least one of the three dishes during the competition. Extra points could have been scored if chefs had included a dish that incorporated Caribbean flare, used sustainable products, and showcased dishes for special diets.
Judged on appearance and presentation, taste, creativity, execution and overall appeal, chefs prepared to wow the panel of judges, headed up by Elizabeth Lee over a 30-minute period. The judging panel spent their days visiting and dining on board all 29 participating yachts until Friday 8th December where prize giving was staged at Copper and Lumber.
Split into three separate categories by vessel size, In the category of yachts 125-foot and under it was Cloé Cauillaud from Sylene that won the chef’s competition, while the winner of the yachts 125-foot and under tablescaping competition was chief Stewardess Rochelle Irle from Eros.
In the category of yachts between 126 and 159-foot, first place was chef Nicolas Ott from Parillion, while the tablescaping winner was chief stewardess Chloe Woodward from Nadan.
Next was the category of yachts 160ft and over the winning chef was Nathan Clements from Asahi and the winner of the tablescaping competition was chief Stewardess Paula Bosman from Project X.
For the prestigious best in show category, it was Samsara that took away the prize with Chef Sinead Finnigan and Chief Stewardess Stephanie Cave.
Beyond the boats, there is also an informative side of the show comprising various seminars aimed at both the visiting crew and the wider industry. Held at The Copper & Lumber Store Hotel each morning, topics included tactics for charter client growth with Charter Itinerary, luxury experiences with Oil Nut Bay and VAT and customs rules with Easy Tax International.
As with other years, participants come together here at the Antigua Charter Show, see the incredible yachts on show and network in an informal manner in one of the most beautiful show settings there is. But this year, energy has surpassed that of pre-covid days and taken off to a whole new level, placing the show in a league of its own. Next year the show will return once more in its 63rd installment with a host of new features. but one thing is for sure, the energy will be the best we've seen to date.