Dear Islander,
A warm welcome to this Anniversary issue.
Looking at some recent news items, it seems to me that the yachting market will change even more dramatically in the next decade than it has during the last 10 years!
Having spent an “interesting” month on a drydocking in cold, grey, communistic Dalian - N.E China about 16 years ago, I was fascinated to see that the city now has a luxury marina (covering 21 acres) nearing completion, with many more planned to follow along the Chinese coastline.
A recent survey shows the top 500 richest people in China are worth an average of $276 million each, and that the “nuevo rich” thirst for luxuries like yachts from Ferreti and Pershing (top voted boat brands for affluent Chinese) is only limited by a lack of places to berth them.
Meanwhile, amongst endless reports of even more and larger megayachts being built, and yards gearing up to turn them out faster, comes news of the latest project build for Russian billionaire and Chelsea Football Club owner Roman Abramovich.
Details are all a bit speculative, but it would seem that the yacht will be somewhere around 550ft (165m) and aptly named “Eclipse”, being designed to eclipse in size and grandeur all other such yachts in the world, including the four others owned by Abramovich himself.
It is already a known fact that there is a shortage of qualified and fully certified crews to man all of these ¨leisure ships” of the future, and that the funding for them is coming more from Eastern Europe and Asia.
So it would seem that a surefire career plan for aspiring youngsters is to build up your sea miles, gain your certificates, and “look East” young man! But, don´t be surprised to find yourself back in the Balearics, which has all the attributes to be a desirable area for the next generation of billionaires and their yachts, providing the infrastructure can keep pace with demand.....
Talking of youngsters, may I ask for your generous support and purchase of the NAUTI BUOYS CALENDAR which is hot off the press, and available now at only €8.00 per copy from Salymar´s office at Club de Mar - Palma.
Sally, Gail and Jaume at Salymar have worked tirelessly to produce this in collaboration with several brave yachtsman who agreed to be photographed in, let´s say “unusual poses” with all profits going to the very worthy Joves Navegants charity, which benefits under privileged children by giving them seamanship training.
The calendar is a lot of fun and the photography is superb!
Reserve your copies by calling Salymar on : 971 707 679
or e.mailing : gail@salymar.com
Saludos,
Peter Franklin