Brand New 2023 Multihulls on Show @ USVI Charter Yacht Show, November 11-14, 2023 – Catamaran Central onboard as Sponsor

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 18, 2023

Brand New 2023 Multihulls on Show @ USVI Charter Yacht Show, November 11-14, 2023 – Catamaran Central onboard as Sponsor

St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands. Stability, roomy size, and the sleek comfort of a luxury yacht are why the global catamaran market soared to a worth of US 1.35 billion in 2021.* The two-hull trend will be on full and double-digit display at the USVI Charter Yacht Show, set for November 11-14 at IGY’s Yacht Haven Grande St. Thomas. In tandem, the Virgin Islands Professional Charter Association (VIPCA) is pleased to announce that Catamaran Central, a Fort Lauderdale, Florida-headquartered multihull brokerage and charter business, will serve as a show sponsor for the sixth year. New, VIPCA has released the 2023 Show Schedule at usviyachtshow.org/events, which details a multitude of events, seminars, competitions, and social occasions for charter brokers, yacht crews, and industry professionals to connect.

Multihull Market Update

The catamaran market has shown year-over-year growth for the last 15 years, according to Wiley Sharp, co-founder of Catamaran Central, with wife and charter yacht specialist, Laura Jagielski, who together in over two years have closed on $100 million in catamaran sales. “The biggest shift we are seeing are first-time owners and non-sailors entering the space. With every new generation of catamaran, we are seeing the livability improve drastically, which makes both chartering and the cruising lifestyle more appealing. About 40% of our overall business is assisting clients to buy charter catamarans and the other 60% is for private use. There used to be a very different set of specs that each type of owner was after. Over time, we’ve seen the specs between private and charter catamarans come much more in line.”

Photo: L to R – Laura Jagielski and Wiley Sharp. Courtesy Catamaran Central.

Catamaran Central added Peter Obetz to its team in March 2023. Obetz left a large yacht brokerage firm to join the growing company. He and his wife have bought a brand new 40’ catamaran and live full-time aboard. Thus, Obetz brings personal experience to his new position, adding credibility, relatability, and first-hand knowledge to his years as a professional yacht broker.

Multi’s Multiply – a Sneak Peek at the Registered Fleet

Nearly 70 yachts, both power and sail, with professional crews, showed last year and organizers anticipate a similar participation by yachts this year. The latest registrations are a fleet of 13 catamarans, 6 of them brand new, from Dream Caribbean Blue, a Fort Lauderdale, Florida-headquartered luxury crewed charter yacht management company. These 2023 vessels are the Bali 4.8’s Blue Horizon and Deborah Anne, the Bali 5.4’s Atlas, Hydrotherapy and Mystic; and Royal Cape 570, Tapas.

Photo: Spacious open-air deck on the Lagoon 58, EMYSA. Courtesy Dream Caribbean Blue.

“The outfit of our yachts is exceptional,” says Christina Clum, COO, who with husband, Gregory, started with one yacht in 2020, with now over 20 yachts in 2023, with new yachts under contract for the 2024 season. “Our galleys incorporate every appliance, utensil and tool imaginable, ensuring that our chefs only have the best at their disposal to create customized menus that are truly spectacular. As you move through our yachts no detail has been left unattended, from the linens, pillows and decor to the galley, water toys and toiletries that we provide as complimentary. The spaces on our yachts are finished and refined. We pay attention to every detail so that when you walk onboard you are left wanting for nothing. You can enjoy your charter in a beautiful destination, on beautiful yacht, all in comfort and style.”

Clum adds that showing in the USVI Charter Yacht Show is a must for Dream Caribbean Blues fleet.

Photo: Lagoon 58, EMYSA under sail. Courtesy Dream Caribbean Blue.

“There’s so much exposure at the USVI show. Plus, it’s a fantastic world class setting to present our yachts to brokers. Another advantage is industry contacts from crew to high quality vendors and overall great networking,” says Clum.

2023 USVI Charter Yacht Show Schedule Now Available

“In line with showcasing brand new hulls, we anticipate that this show will christen the large round 360 building with panoramic views in the middle of the marina. The iconic domed construction is an exceptional venue to host our previously tented events, from the Marine Vendors Expo, rum and wine tastings to crew competitions, seminars and even the Award’s Ceremony!” says Oriel Blake, VIPCA Executive Director.

Register Now!

Yachts that register (usviyachtshow.org/register/) by July 1, 2023, receive a 20% off Early Bird discount. Plus, IGY’s Yacht Haven Grande St. Thomas is offering exhibiting yachts an Early Bird berthing rate of $1.65 per foot per day from November 5-18, 2023, if paid before July 1.

Brokers can also register at usviyachtshow.org/register/. The Show is FREE for VIPCA member brokers, a great deal as VIPCA membership offers additional year-round benefits including advertising opportunities and the latest industry updates, plus supports the association’s USVI marine tourism, marine infrastructure, and marine vocational training work. Brokers can receive a discounted rate of $244 per night on accommodations at Bluebeard’s Castle by booking by phone and giving the discount code ‘VIPCA Yacht Show’. A daily shuttle service will offer easy access to and from the marina.

Strong Sponsor Support

Sponsors of the USVI Charter Yacht Show include the USVI Department of Tourism; Yacht Haven Grande; IGY Marinas; Mango Media; the Gowrie Group representing Trawick and Cigna; Catamaran Central; Veuve Clicquot and Captain Morgan, distributed by Bellows International; Grey Goose, distributed by West Indies Company; Cardow Jewellers; VIYA Business Solutions; Seachange; Offshore Marine; Parts & Power Ltd., distributor of Northern Lights; ZUP; the Charter Yacht Broker Association; and, Harbor Shoppers.

For more information about the USVI Charter Yacht Show, visit usviyachtshow.org For information about VIPCA and its programs, visit www.VIPCA.org, Email: [email protected], or call (340) 642-0656

*Catamaran Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Product (Sailing Catamarans, Power Catamarans), By Size (Small, Medium, Large), By Application (Sport, Leisure, Transport), By Region, And Segment Forecasts, 2022 – 2030, published August 2022 by Grand View Research, based in California, USA.

ABOUT VIPCA

VIPCA is the territory’s 501(c)(6) non-profit marine association, whose purpose is to preserve, protect and promote the charter yacht sector of the U.S. Virgin Islands marine industry and the businesses that sustain them. VIPCA’s focus is multi-faceted and includes offering membership benefits such as access to health and hull P&I insurance; sharing pertinent and timely industry updates and information; producing a Marine Directory of marine vendors and services; promoting USVI marine charter tourism; liaising with USVI, BVI, and PR to assist in cooperative efforts; seeking relevant official rulings from Customs and Border Protection (CBP); developing USVI marine infrastructure, including moorings; providing compliance guidance for mariners and vessels; and providing marine vocational training for USVI youth under VIPCA’s charity, the Marine Rebuild Fund, which is fiscally sponsored by the Community Foundation of the Virgin Islands (CFVI.net). www.VIPCA.org

Media Contact:

Carol Bareuther

Media, USVI Charter Yacht Show

Tel: 340-998-3650

Email: [email protected]

Skype: Carol.Bareuther

-##-