As a yacht broker, traveling around the world to visit the crystalline waters off coastlines both near and far isn’t just about sightseeing. It’s about visiting the manufacturing frontlines of brands of yachts operating across the globe, each of them artfully crafting innovative vessels designed to make every vacation dream of our clients come true.
When my wife Paula and I flew across the Atlantic Ocean to spend sunny days in Viareggio, Amsterdam, Monaco and other European locales this past fall, we didn’t do it for leisure. We did it for our clients.
Because we wanted to get an inside look into the future-looking features being offered by the best yacht brands in the industry. So that when a client calls us with an ideal vacation experience in mind, we know exactly which of the most reliable yacht brands will get them traveling on the seas in the tailored-to-them style they are looking for.
Follow a yacht broker’s journey to some of the most exciting shipyards across Europe, and take an inside look into some of the luxury yacht brands setting impressive new standards for the future of the yachting industry.
After the Cannes Yacht Festival: What a Yacht Broker Does in Europe
After kicking at yacht show season at the Cannes Yacht Festival, Paula and I flew to Amsterdam and then traveled to the Zeelander Yachts shipyard off the Lek River in the western part of the Netherlands.
We were there to inspect a new 75-ft Zeelander that we were having built for a client (one that was set to ship sometime in the coming weeks). Zeelander Yachts has long infused their designs with an artful combo of lines and curves that offer just as much visual impact as they do power.
The 2023 65’ Zeelander, for instance, blends sophistication with a family-friendly design for a beautiful balance of power and smooth-cruising style.
It’s a vessel that speaks of the sportiness of a luxury car with the kind of comfort that is the perfect backdrop to long days out at sea–comfort that easily marks Zeelander as one of the best yacht brands of the moment.
Visiting Italian Yacht Brands: The Cannes Yachting Festival Was Just the Start
Any yacht broker or boating enthusiast with their pulse on the yachting industry can tell you about the top-notch class that Italian yacht brands deliver. That’s why Paula and I took time exploring the many shipyards to be found along Italy’s coastal waters while we were there.
After visiting Zeelander Yachts, we flew to Ancona, Italy to inspect progress on a 66-meter build at the ISA Yachts shipyard (one that we recently sold to a client).
If you’re just a casual boating enthusiast, you might not know that projects of this scale require numerous trips to ensure that every detail—from big to small—are looked after with utmost care.
We’ll be returning to the ISA Yachts shipyard about 15 total times over the next 30 months to make sure every step of the building process is treated with the artful attention to craft that we’ve come to expect from this standout among luxury yacht brands.
With a limit-crossing vision for their yacht models that speaks of powerful motors blended with sinuous lines that cut through the waves with ease (and offer relaxation spaces at every turn), in-person check-ins are essential for vessels of ISA’s high caliber.
A Little Break and Then a Return to Exploring the Best Yacht Brands
After weeks traveling to different cities to network and support the needs of our clients, Paula and I drove to Rome to enjoy a seven day cruise of the Greek Isles.
We kept in contact with our clients courtesy of enhanced WiFi (thank goodness it was included as part of our cruising trip), because though we were taking a little break—business doesn’t stop and wait for us to return!
As soon as we landed back in Italy, we were off to Viareggio. This small coastal city has grown into one of the largest yachting industry hubs in the region, which is how it became the backdrop to our meet-up with AJ Blackmon (the owner of world-class yacht firm Apollo Yachts, who was there to conduct his own survey of a recently-sold vessel).
We quickly moved on to Corfu, Greece where we met up with a client who was interested in touring a luxury yacht that was housed on those waters. Then we were off to Monaco to attend the annual Monaco Yacht Show, one of the defining shows in the yacht show season that unveils new builds and next-generation features that make it clear that the future of the yachting industry is bright.
We connected with multiple clients there, but also took plenty of time to network with the “who’s who” of the yachting industry. As a yacht broker, sitting on the sidelines and watching from home as new, industry-changing and experience-making vessels are unveiled just isn’t enough.
When it comes to testing out the newly released models of the most reliable yacht brands and seeing what markers of innovation are being designed by the most forward-looking builders in the industry, you need to see it all for yourself.
So that when a client asks us about which of the many brands of yachts we recommend—and which are currently building the type of models that will turn sunny days at sea into their dream yacht vacation—we know exactly how to turn their vision into cruising reality.
[Live your dream yacht experience]
Explore Listings
