Antigua Charter Yacht Show 2017 Draws To A Close

By Rebecca Bradbury 11 December 2017

The deafening clamour of more than 70 charter yachts blaring their horns in Antigua at 6pm on Saturday 9^th December marked the end of another successful edition of the Antigua Charter Yacht Show.

Taking place across the three show locations of Nelson’s Dockyard Marina, Falmouth Harbour Marina and Antigua Yacht Club Marina, the Antigua Charter Show once again hosted an impressive selection of superyachts as well as an action-packed social programme.

Brokers and industry professionals from across the world flocked to the event, where they were able to tour the superyachts in attendance, meet the captains and crews, and participate in lunches, yacht hops and informative seminar sessions.

motor yacht Illusion V lined up at the Antigua Charter Yacht Show 2017

motor yacht Phoenix 2 at the Antigua Charter Yacht Show 2017

view of Antigua Charter Yacht Show 2017 from the foredeck of superyacht NERO

Nelson's Dockyard Marina at the Antigua Charter Yacht Show 2017

The main aim of the show is to ensure charter brokers are equipped with the knowledge needed to best match their clients with the ideal superyacht for the upcoming cruising season in the Caribbean.

One of the must-see yachts was the 90m/295ft motor yacht ‘Phoenix 2’. Launched in 2010, the Lurssen build has only recently joined the charter market and show-goers were keen to check out her dazzling art deco interior styling from Andrew Winch as well as her long list of amenities.

Other popular yachts included Cosair Yachts’ 90m/196ft motor yacht NERO, the 58m/190ft motor yacht ‘Illusion V’ from Benetti and the 56m/185ft Delta Marine motor yacht ‘My Seanna’.

The Antigua Charter Show once again hosted an impressive selection of superyachts as well as an action-packed social programme

Another key feature of the Antigua Charter Show is the culinary contest. Now in its 18^th year, the competition tasked superyacht chefs with creating a Caribbean Sunday brunch suitable for a charter party of both adults and children.

Winning the category for yachts measuring over 160ft was Chef Caitlin Kennedy of the 59m/195ft motor yacht ANDIAMO, while Chef Harriet Mansell of the 43m/140ft sailing yacht SARISSA came out on top in the yachts between 126ft to 159ft category.

Chef Talev Schieb of luxury catamaran ‘Vigilant I’ from Lagoon won in the yachts under 125ft category and there were also prizes awarded to stewards and stewardesses in the tablescaping competition. Further details on the two contests will be revealed in a forthcoming article.