Catamaran Central Provides Sponsorship & Market Update, New Yachts on Show, Designer Water Contest @ 2024 USVI Charter Yacht Show, November 8th-11th at IGY’s Yacht Haven Grande, St. Thomas

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

November 1, 2024

Catamaran Central Provides Sponsorship & Market Update, New Yachts on Show, Designer Water Contest @ 2024 USVI Charter Yacht Show, November 8^th-11^th at IGY’s Yacht Haven Grande, St. Thomas

The 2024 USVI Charter Yacht Show, hosted by the Virgin Islands Professional Charter Association (VIPCA), will take place from November 8-11 at IGY’s Yacht Haven Grande in St. Thomas. With their stability, size, and ease of operation, catamarans have become the dominant choice in Caribbean crewed charter fleets, making up 53% of the market last year. Monohulls hold a solid 44%, catering to traditional sailing enthusiasts and multigenerational families looking to preserve classic sailing traditions. Although motor yachts are fewer in number, they bring larger vessel options to the charter landscape.

Despite the popularity of catamarans, many charter clients still prefer the monohull experience. These vessels are often chosen by those wanting a hands-on, authentic sailing experience at a tilt or by families wishing to continue long-standing traditions. Monohulls are also often more affordable to charter than catamarans, providing comparable amenities and, in all-inclusive packages, the same high level of service and cuisine options. This variety within the Virgin Islands fleet allows charter guests to select a yacht type tailored to their sailing preferences and budget.

We are pleased to announce that Catamaran Central, a Fort Lauderdale, Florida-headquartered multihull brokerage and charter business, is sponsoring the show for the seventh year. The U.S. Virgin Islands crewed charter fleet proudly offers something for everyone. Several monohulls and a trimaran will be part of this year’s Show’s impressive boutique fleet.

“Catamarans are the crewed charter market in sailing yachts under 80 feet or so,” says Steve McCrea, charter yacht broker and president of Ed Hamilton & Co., in Edgecomb, ME, who attends the show for the value in seeing in person how a crew has prepared a boat, how they welcome guests aboard, and how they conduct themselves in person.” 

Photo: Wiley Sharp and Laura Jagielski, yacht brokers and co-founders of Catamaran Central. Courtesy Catamaran Central. 

Catamaran Market Update 

‘Wiley Sharp and Laura Jagielski, yacht brokers and co-founders of Catamaran Central, have a finger on the pulse of the two-hull industry. Broker Peter Ovetz joins them in Bradenton, FL, and most recently, brokers Bill Regan in Baltimore and Keagan Steyn in Fort Lauderdale, FL.

“The market for catamarans has been unbelievably on fire for the last few years since before the pandemic. We are finally starting to see a little bit of plateauing, which is refreshing for buyers,” says Sharp.

“Power catamarans are on the increase. I think there’s a potential huge hole in the market for power catamarans in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Very few people are utilizing them for charter here, and I think this area has a lot of unrealized growth potential.”

“The USVI catamaran charter fleet has long averaged 40- to 50-feet LOA. Now it’s common to see 70- or 80-footers, Sharp adds. “Some builders are entering the market with 100- to 100-foot-plus catamarans, but only a handful will be built in the next few years.

Catamarans larger than the Sunreef 80, Lagoon 77, or Fountaine Pajot 80 make logistics like hauling for maintenance exponentially more challenging; we’ll see a plateau at the 80-foot mark.”

Catamaran Central is sponsoring Sunday, November 10^th of the Show, which commences at 8 a.m. for the ‘State of the Industry Roundtable,’ a panel discussion with brokers, crew, and management, and concludes with the Awards Ceremony starting at 5:30 p.m. Both events take place in the Brava by Viya 360 Wifi Lounge.

Photo: Trish Cronin of Ocean Getaways Yacht Charters shows plastic saved by onboard desalination/filtration systems. Courtesy Trish Cronin.

What’s New

Entry is open between now and November 4^th for the 2024 CYBA Designer Water Competition. https://bit.ly/2024USVIDWC The task is to prepare flavored water using natural ingredients, without alcohol, tea bags, or store-bought juice, and water produced by the desalination/filtration system onboard the charter yacht. The beverage must be served in reusable containers. No single-serve plastic cups, decorations, or straws. Judging is based on taste, presentation, and creativity.

“This is a terrific opportunity to showcase your yacht and its green practices to the brokers. CYBA, as an organization, supports yachts committed to environmental awareness, and many brokers market sustainability as a key charter selling point. Yachts that enter get to fly the CYBA Green flag. Plus, it is just plain fun and has you stand out in the fleet,” says Trish Cronin, president of Ocean Getaways Yacht Charters, in Ft. Denaud, FL, who spearheaded the initiative through CYBA in 2014.

Cronin estimates that the average charter yacht in the Virgin Islands uses about 500 plastic water bottles weekly. Through collaborative efforts, the percentage of yachts offering their own water as an alternative to bottled water is about 80% overall. This has saved about 3 to 4 million water bottles from going to landfills and into the oceans yearly.

Photo: Yacht Aeolus, Courtesy Charter Caribe.

Sneak Peek at Yachts to View

There will be more than 65 power and sail, multihulls, and monohulls, from 40- to 130-plus feet. One of these is Aeolus. The 2024-built Lagoon 77 had an ex-factory date of November 2023.

“A standout feature of Aeolus is the private deck that extends from the primary cabin, offering an intimate retreat for relaxation and breathtaking views. Its comprehensive diving program features a certified Dive Instructor and Dive Master, complemented by an onboard air compressor. Aeolus boasts the largest flybridge in its class, perfect for lounging under sail and al fresco dinners, setting a new standard for luxury cruising. We look forward to hosting brokers at the Show for exclusive cocktail hours and private lunches,” says Kendall Canfield, clearing house manager for St. Thomas, USVI-based Charter Caribe.

Industry veterans Captain Michael Wilson, Chef Casey Strickland, and new team members First Mate Christo Theron and Stewardess Chene Nel will crew Aeolus this season.

Register Now

VIPCA broker members can register (usviyachtshow.org/register/) for FREE. Exclusive Show accommodations with 20% discounts are available at the following by calling and using promo “VIPCA Yacht Show: Bluebeards (bluebeards.com), (1-340-774-1600) -Bolongo Bay Beach Resort (bolongobay.com), (1-800-524-4746) – The Pink Palm Hotel (pinkpalmhotel.com).

Charter yachts can register at usviyachtshow.org/register/).

Strong Sponsor Support

Sponsors of the 2024 USVI Charter Yacht Show include the USVI Department of Tourism; Yacht Haven Grande St. Thomas; IGY Marinas; Mango Media LLC; Catamaran Central; Risk Strategies representing Trawick and Cigna; Grey Goose and Soca Shores distributed by West Indies Company; Veuve Clicquot and Captain Morgan, distributed by Bellows International; Brava by VIYA; Cardow Jewelers; Yachtly; Rockvision; Moe’s Fresh Market; The Market St. Thomas; Maho Crew; Offshore Marine; Parts & Power Ltd., distributor of Northern Lights; Harbor Shoppers; Nautical Trips & Consulting; Julius Jackson, LLC; and the Charter Yacht Broker Association (CYBA).

For more information and registration, visit usviyachtshow.org or contact VIPCA at info@vipca.org or (340) 642-0656. 

*Source: www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/yacht-charter-market-20680  

About VIPCA

VIPCA is a non-profit marine association dedicated to preserving, protecting, and promoting the charter yacht sector of the U.S. Virgin Islands marine industry. Its initiatives include offering membership benefits, promoting marine 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 installation of vessel moorings now available at BoatyBall.com; and providing marine vocational training for USVI youth. VIPCA hosts two annual yacht shows, the USVI Charter Yacht Show at www.usviyachtshow.org and the Virgin Islands Boating Expo at www.vibe.vi. www.VIPCA.org

Media Contact:

Carol Bareuther

Media, USVI Charter Yacht Show

Tel: 340-998-3650

Email: bareuther@earthlink.net

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