Visiting YARE and the Antibes Boat Show

Sorry to all about the delay in posting this news article a lot is happening in the MarineDex camp. Like all new ventures MarineDex were out spreading the word and gathering feedback on our new project from businesses and crews at YARE “The Yachting after Sales & Refit Exhibition” as well as the Antibes Boat Show. I have to say that we had a great time at both show with more success in Antibes where a greater number of businesses and crews where present.

YARE

Being the first year for YARE in Viareggio I have to say more business was done in the bar across the road where everyone seemed to go for lunch then in the show itself. Viareggio is the heart of yacht building in Italy with the likes of Benetti, Perini and other well-known boat manufactures based out of this city. I would say without a doubt that more metres of boats are built for the private industry in Italy than anywhere else in the world. This begs the question with goliath’s of yacht builders having a refit show in their home paddock, who else would be welcome or want to go? I think that a number of other companies that I know thought the same so the bulk of the show exhibitors seemed to be magazines, yacht agents and the local shipyards. I did however see a number other shipyards and businesses but it didn’t display the same atmosphere as the other big shows in the Europe like  Antibes, Cannes, Monaco or even METS.

The shows location seemed to be a more a chance for show and tell for the local shipyards. I didn’t see too many service companies displaying, offering services and equipment to boats outside of that area. I’m sure that the show was still a great boost to the local area and the show organisers will make some changes for next year. Perhaps trying to get more manufactures of equipment or local suppliers, to exhibit. I feel that given time it will slowly grow to be an important show in the future in the Med.

Antibes Boat Show

Antibes is one of the largest super yacht ports in the world and a hub for owners, crew and businesses all to come together. This makes for an ideal location to host one of the largest and fastest growing yachting events in the Med. This was also exciting for MarineDex since we become an official sponsor of the crew lounge by donating a prize to the raffle to raise money for the “Antibes life boat organisation”. The prize was an IPod Nano watch from America which was won by Simon Roberts who has already voiced how much he loves prize to Bluewater and us.

In exchange for the donation we were invited to do demonstration of the site to crew and businesses.  We were glad of the opportunity; however it was difficult to get everyone to come together, once the band started half way through the presentation we decided it was easier to walk around showing people one on one. We did gather some great feedback and ideas for the system from both businesses and crew alike. Most could see and appreciated how we were trying and bring more organisation and professionalism to the industry in a time of a digital revolution.

Safe Sailing from the MarineDex Support Team