Saturday, June 11, 2022
“QTR” will be one of the show’s star boats. PHOTO: Newport Charter Yacht Show/Media Pro International
The Newport Charter Yacht Show is just around the corner.
Presented by Helly Hansen Newport, the show features fully crewed, motor and sailing luxury vessels. The 17 participating yachts range in length from 66 feet (the Gaia sailboat, presented by Nicholson Yachts) to 164 feet (the TCB motorboat, presented by Northrop & Johnson).
All will reunite for four days of activities scheduled to begin Monday, June 20 at Newport’s Safe Harbor Newport Shipyard, which owns and produces the show.
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“Each vessel has its own character and a professional captain and crew ready to take the yacht vacation experience to the next level,” said Veronica Brown, Safe Harbor’s Lounge Manager. “For over 35 years, the Newport Charter Yacht Show has been the only one of its kind in New England, so our goal has not only been to facilitate relationships between yacht brokers (who represent vacation “customers” charter) and managers (who represent yacht owners) but also presenting them with an invaluable toolkit to showcase Newport and New England as preferred charter destinations during the summer months here in the United States”
Tailor-made offers
The American Yacht Charter Association (AYCA), which will hold its annual meeting and various seminars during the show, has partnered with Rhode Island Commerce to present “Broker’s Experience Newport!” from Monday, June 20.
A day trip will unveil bespoke luxury tours and singular experiences that can be arranged for charterers, including America’s Cup yacht charters; private walking/driving tours with a ‘Gilded Age’ twist; a private tour of Cornelius Vanderbilt’s Gilded Age Mansion, The Breakers; a “car loan” from the Audrain Automobile Museum; and more. Lunch will be served on the lawn of the International Tennis Hall of Fame, which offers its own luxury experiences, such as private tennis lessons with a pro on the famous Grass Courts.
“If my client or a broker I know is going to be in Newport, they always want to know what there is to do, whether it’s for couples or families with children. The more information we can give them to sell charters the better,” said Karen Kelly Shea of Nicholson Yachts, who is a Newport-based broker and will be representing Gaia at the show.
Sailboats at the Show
As for Gaia, Shea explains that Gunboat catamarans are highly sought after in the charter market. “They sail fast and yet are comfortable and suitable for all ages of guests, whether children or adults,” she said, adding that many of her company’s long-time customers are avid sailors. “New England – and Newport in particular – offers excellent conditions for sailing as well as a rich maritime history and world-class sailing regattas.”
Like Gaia, the 75′ sailboat Rebecca from Vineyard Haven, with a more classic look, is brand new to the show. Only 20 years old, she is a rare example of a 20th century boat built with traditional tools and techniques. A world cruising yacht, she has crossed the Atlantic twice and won numerous regattas.
“She has been beautifully maintained as a private yacht and is now available for charter for the first time,” said Rebecca of Captain Andrea Kelly of Vineyard Haven. “We think the Newport Charter Show is a great opportunity to get your name out there.”
Kelly added: “Growing up here, I’ve always been enchanted by the New England summer. Exploring New England on a boat like Rebecca from Vineyard Haven will transport you back in time. Whether you’re waking up at anchor on a calm, foggy morning in Maine, listening to the distant foghorns, or battling it out on the start line with 20 other classic sailboats, you feel like you’re in another era. New England cities offer endless exploration and history, and there’s no better way to see it than on a boat!”
The other yachts at the Newport Charter Show are the 76ft Wild Horses and the 92′ August Maverick (Charter Yacht Solutions).
Back to motorboats
The largest yacht at the show, TCB, is also coming to the Newport Charter Yacht Show for the first time. Charter brokers may remember the old 138′ TCB and its excellent crew; however, this 164′ motorboat is a new acquisition for the same owner. “She still has a lot of her great crew,” said TCB Captain Scott Gaffga, “so we want to show that. We also want to show that she’s had a refit, which is a huge change, it’s the start of her new interior and new paint job on the exterior.
The 116′ QTR, an acronym for “Quality Time Remaining”, is also new to the show. Formerly known as Money for Nothing, she has the same captain (Robert Crocker) but a new owner who had her refitted in 2021. “All new linens and artwork are part of that,” Jenny said. Mullen, charter manager for Worth Avenue Yachts, who represents her. “She has tons of toys, including Sea-Doos, Seabobs, Stand Up Paddleboards, Kayaks and E-Foils, and a fantastic crew, including an amazing chef. We want to highlight all of this before the season and put it all in front of the brokers.
A second motor yacht presented by Worth Avenue Yachts, Bella Tu, is smaller but still offers impressive value in her 91 feet. “Each yacht has its own thing,” Mullen said. “Bella Tu sleeps 10 in five cabins and her chef (Jessica Fillkins) is also a yoga teacher. A wellness package can therefore be included.”
Mullen appreciated that the show’s many special events, including the Wednesday evening Yacht Hop, themed “Golden Age,” and the Tuesday afternoon Yacht Charter Chef Contest sponsored by Shoreside Support, are perfect for showcasing the talent and personality of the crews. “Some of the yachts here are going to the Caribbean for the winter, and that’s good luck for Newport brokers, who don’t always make it to the Fort. Lauderdale Open Houses, to see them.
During the Newport Charter Yacht Show, the public is invited to check out the vendors exhibiting along the ‘checkerboard patio’ outside Belle’s Café at the Newport Dockyard. The vendors will be open every day from Tuesday June 21 to Thursday June 23 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Returning vendors include showcasing sponsor Helly Hansen with its mobile pop-up store; AERE Marine Group, Newport Yacht Interiors, Boatique USA, CUTCO Cutlery and Vineyard Haven Marina. New vendors include The Custom Captain, Ankor Software, Oscar Navigation, Renewal by Anderson, and Foodlove Market.
