When Hurricane Irma passed through Antigua and Barbuda on September 6, 2017, the future of the area was uncertain. Much to the delight and surprise of many, Antigua was spared by the storm. Sadly, Barbuda was hit hard by the category five storm. The bright spot in all of this is that the Antigua Charter Yacht Show went on as planned and included an element of assistance for Barbuda and other areas of the Caribbean devastated by the hurricanes.
Perfect Weather
Following the horrible weather just a few months prior, the show’s organizers couldn’t have asked for better weather. Sunny and beautiful and most definitely ideal for a yacht outing. Many brokers and industry professionals from around the world agreed as they descended upon Antigua for the much-anticipated event. Those brokers and professionals kicked off their visit with a cocktail reception and spent their time during the three-day show touring superyachts, sailing yachts and catamarans, and meeting the captains and crews of those. Attendees were also able to take full advantage of the show’s other offerings including lunches, yachts hops, and seminars covering a wide range of yacht-related topics.
Amazing Vessels
Clearly one of the greatest highlights of any show featuring superyachts, sailing yachts, and catamarans is the opportunity to climb aboard and tour some of these amazing recreational vessels. With so many yachts on hand, the event is at three locations in Antigua including Falmouth Harbour Marina, Antigua Yacht Club, and the historic Nelson’s Dockyard Marina. Brokers were on hand at each location to showcase the wide range of yachts.
Some highlights of those on display included the Far Niente, a 130-foot 2014 Westport that now has a 35-foot scout tender with Seakeepers. There is also a 32′ towable tender about as well as an inflatable. Touring the spacious sundeck with lounge areas may be the highlight of this vessel. Another popular yacht was the Unbridled, a 116-foot 1993 Crescent that was completely updated in 2015. The Unbridled sleeps eight and features two SeaDoos, flyboard, driving range, and Sea Bob. You can also find kite surfing, inflatables, and a floating party island. They video you throughout your trip, show you the video on the last day, and let you take it home as a souvenir.
Learn & Connect
Beyond the tours and imagining the experience you’ll have aboard any of the yachts on hand, the show features opportunities for learning including seminars. You can find ones titled, “Experience Antigua and Barbuda”, “Galapagos Charters – An Exceptional Experience for Multi-Gen Families”, “LY4 what does it mean?”, “Seamless Connectivity through Hybrid Technologies”, and “Cruising the Mystical destinations of the Amazon, Patagonia, and Antartica”. But the real fun is in the social activities where people can really enjoy themselves and meet others in attendance. From the opening cocktail welcome party, wine tastings, and the yacht hop, there’s never a dull moment. They even have a chef’s competition that runs the course of the event.
Help for Barbuda
The crowning achievement of the 2017 Antigua Charter Yacht Show, however, was their Let’s Rebuild Barbuda Charity Event to which all show participants were encouraged to attend. Participants were mingling and socializing at Nelson’s Dockyard. This year’s participants were able to raise money for Barbuda which had been devastated by Hurricane Irma.
If you love a superyacht, the Antigua Charter Yacht Show is the ideal event for experiencing the yacht lifestyle. You can also exploring the yacht, connect with brokers, and be around other people who appreciate a luxury yacht. So, tell us, have you chartered a yacht before? If you’re new to it, you’ll want to read What to Expect When You Charter Your Own Private Yacht.
