A quick look around Moll Vell revealed a scene alive with contrasting images. Gleaming multi-level motor yachts stood their ground among next-gen racer-cruisers featuring sleek decks and the tell-tale weave of carbon fibre. As much as the Palma Superyacht Show may be renowned for its emphasis on the sailing fraternity this year’s selection saw a notably higher percentage of motor yachts. The 41.10m DRAGON and the 38.40m ANDREA, for sale with Camper & Nicholsons and Ocean Independence, respectively, are prime examples of motor yachts which demand visitors' attention, with their eye-catching hulls and jaw-dropping luxuries.
Ocean Independence’s Christina Kiamilis was very pleased with the company’s overall experience over the 5-day event: “exhibiting at the Palma Superyacht Show was as charming and pleasant as always" enthused Kiamilis. Sales and Charter specialist Kiamilis went on to add that “the quality of clients was high and we'd be delighted to participate in future editions of this dynamic, vibrant, and enjoyable show.”
This year’s 2nd edition of the event’s dedicated superyacht tender area saw an increase of boats: everything, from sleek walk-around cruisers to classically styled StanCrafts stole the show. Susana Serra, part of EYOS Tenders’ sales team, commented to be “thrilled with the tender area’s location and content with the amount of traffic that passed through”. Serra also ensured that the EYOS team “will be back next year, and in the exact same spot.”
As the tender area saw more yachts this year, so too did Refit & Repair (a sector which attracts a more targeted footfall of yachting professionals) feature more tents compared to the show's 2018 event. What’s more, an improved lay-out meant that making a beeline for a specific tent was a breeze and the new set-up provided for a better viewing experience overall. “We had an abundance of meetings and visitors to our booth” concurred Emerson’s Fernando Carrera Duro. Although this is not the first time Carrera Duro exhibits at the show, it's the company's first year in the R&R area. (Carrera Duro exhibited under the company's previous name, Aventics, in 2017 and 2018). Duro attested to being “delighted to participate again in the Palma Superyacht Show” and to “certainly return to exhibit in the Refit and Repair area in 2020”.
Another high-point, which was also much-commented upon, was the show’s trademark relaxed atmosphere. Competitors were seen to talk shop over cold drinks in the sunshine and the show’s many parties and get-togethers were mostly casual, all-inclusive affairs. Whether this is because of the event’s holiday-island setting or the organizers’ no-nonsense approach to super yacht events matters little, what looms larger is the fact that exhibitors and visitors alike clearly relished the joviality that characterizes yachting's favourite event. Also illustrative of the show’s laid-back ambiance was the return of the ever-colourful and uproarious Fun Fair, sponsored by Port Adriano.
Although this year’s 7th event will prove a hard act to follow, it should be noted that improving visitors' experience is high on the organisers' agenda. This means that you can be certain that the team will succeed in raising the bar once again for their next edition, to take place from the 29th April until the 3rd May, 2020.
Main image: Sofia Winghamre
Images below: Stuart Pearce
