The Palma Superyacht Show 2019
Tailored to meet the industry’s needs and with an emphasis on the sailing fraternity, the Palma Superyacht Show is the ultimate spring event for both brokerage and charter yachts above 24m. With its award-winning marinas, capable yards and catch-all array of services, Palma de Mallorca holds all the cards when it comes to accommodating yacht owners, captains and crew.
Additional reasons behind the island’s maritime allure are its cyan waters and perfect sailing conditions, not to mention the ever-growing Palma Superyacht Show. The capital’s annual mustering of industry influencers and display of nautical eye-candy has gone from strength to strength since its 2013 launch. In fact, last year’s edition, which attracted a greater selection of bigger yachts and sought-after exhibitors saw an improved layout and catapulted the show into international acclaim.
The show’s upcoming edition, which takes place from 27 April to 1 May, is likely to further expand its sphere of influence. For starters, 2018’s floating bridge will again connect STP shipyard to Palma’s photogenic fisherman’s dock, facilitating a spacious walkway and circular route. Those that were present last year will agree that the 72m pontoon made it easier for visitors to get around the show and size up the various yachts on display. What’s more, Refit & Repair, the show’s dedicated B2B sector, will also benefit from a better lay-out this year. The bar/restaurant area will be moved in order to give Refit & Repair the attention it truly deserves: making a beeline for the stand you’re looking for will be a breeze and the new set-up will provide a better viewing experience overall. Refit & Repair, now going into its third year, will feature more stands in comparison to last year: a total of 28 companies will be showcasing innovative products and/or talking potential clients through time-tested services. For example, Barco’s project managers are looking forward to bringing their proven track record in the (repair and refit) business forward while A+T Instruments’ tech-savvy team is keen to take visitors through their newly launched ‘Big Format Display’.
Just as Refit & Repair’s exhibitors will reveal cutting edge products and techniques, so too will the show’s other participating companies vie for visitors’ attention through innovation and expertise. From yacht insurance specialists to companies at the forefront of sail design, no less than 69 of yachting’s finest companies will be taking part in this seventh edition. Pantaenius and North Sails are two examples of such industry leaders, as are Southern Spars and Baltic Yachts. Southern Spars will be present to discuss their mast, boom and rigging packages while Baltic Yachts, builders of carbon fibre custom yachts, will be promoting the quality refit services they offer in Palma de Mallorca.
The show’s trademark relaxed atmosphere, another nautical ace up its sleeve, leaves little place for airs and graces. Competitors are seen to talk shop over beers in the sunshine and the show’s many parties are predominantly casual, all-inclusive affairs. Whether this is because of the event’s holiday-island setting or the organisers’ laidback, no-nonsense approach to superyacht events matters little, what looms larger is that exhibitors and visitors alike clearly relish the joviality that characterises the Palma Superyacht Show. Illustrative of the show’s laid-back ambiance is the return of Port Adriano’s FunFair. Visitors not familiar with the FunFair’s whimsical characters need to be prepared to do double takes. For those wondering about how they’ll be caught off guard, let’s just say that if the actors’ costumes won’t catch your attention their hilarious mime-acts certainly will. Yet, as enjoyable as its ambiance may be, the Palma Superyacht Show is more than just a friendly face. Its diverse selection of sail and motor yachts, both sale and charter, over 24m grows year by year. The show’s organisers are expecting to host 85 yachts this year, an increase of five boats compared to the show’s last edition. Sailing enthusiasts can look forward to being shown around record-breaking performance cruisers while those that prefer the superlative luxuries of a motor yacht can snoop around commodious master cabins and state-of-the-art engine rooms.
One of the sailing yachts that will be sure to impress is the 43.6m Svea, the largest and newest J Class to date. Svea blends classic lines with grand prix racing technology and has already enjoyed the sweet taste of success: she won last year’s class title at the St. Barths Bucket. Super J Svea will be berthed next to the 35.2m Nautor’s Swan Odin, another technically advanced racing superyacht. Both remarkable boats are for sale with Burgess. Being able to get a taste for what it’s like to charter a yacht will give those new to yachting an added incentive to visit. Not only can potential clients appraise charter yachts by mattress testing and scoping out their wine cellars or selection of water toys, they can grill the captain and crew about possible itineraries, how to keep the kids entertained and whether the chef’s able to prepare a lacto-vegetarian meal.