Over the last decade or two, there has been a surge in popularity in the yachting industry, especially in the numbers of private luxury yachts being mandated. A yachting experience is sure to surpass any expectations of glamor and many of these exquisitely designed vessels offer a self-contained world – five star dining, world-class accommodation and every amenity your heart could desire. With all this at your fingertips, whilst cruising some of the most magnificent coastlines and ports in the world, it is no wonder that the popularity and passion for yachts has grown exponentially.
When it comes to purchasing or chartering a yacht, the experience does not begin with the prospective buyer. It is the relationship between a shipyard and a luxury yacht broker that is key. This is evident in the relationship between the world-renamed Royal Huisman shipyard and Yachting Partners International, a well-established and thriving yacht brokerage.
Luxury Yacht Shipyards
A shipyard is a place where yachts are built, refitted or repaired. Shipyards take great pride in building luxury yachts, which have a reputation for encompassing a spirit of elegance and extravagance and a well established shipyard will usually draw on their years of experience and have a knowledge of the best ways and materials to use to construct these vessels.
There are various roles shipyards can perform, including:
o Refitting the vessel with new parts or additional extras.
o The complete new building of luxury yachts, from conception to the final product.
o Exterior design focusing on the exterior of a yacht, this could mean new color scheme or merely adapting the facade of the vessel to suit individual owners tastes.
o Interior design entails customizing the interior of the yacht with architectural elements as well as adding extra amenities / facilities.
o Repairs which have to be transported out on luxury yachts from time to time, similar to the standard procedure of a car service. Repairs can also be made to damaged vessels.
Potential buyers or brokers of these luxury sailing yachts or power yachts have the opportunity to stipulate exactly what they want from the build.
Yacht Brokers
Yacht brokers are the party that will have the most up-to-date and detailed knowledge of the vessels produced by the shipyard. Drawing from this knowledge, they have insight into what kind of customer would be most suited to particular luxury yachts. Due to the close relationship with the shipyard, they are also able to convey all of the specifications to the client or to provide the client's specs to the shipyard in order for them to build or refit a yacht to the client's exact needs.
Luxury yacht brokers also undertake the role of marketing the luxury yachts to expose the vessels through their established marketing channels and consumer base.
The Benefits of a Mutual Relationship
The symbiotic relationship between a shipyard and yacht broker is mutually beneficial. It is common for yacht brokers to establish a long-standing affiliation with a reputable shipyard and by building this relationship, a broker will provide a communication channel between the shipyard and buyer.
Luxury yacht brokers also take on the role of advertising the yacht to the right target market. Over time, brokers develop relationships with those who are interested in investing a yacht or chartering one for a once off holiday. By understanding their clients' requirements , brokers are able to draw on the knowledge of the yachts from the shipyard and appropriately set up potential views or suggest particular vessels for interested parties.
A prime example of a very successful relationship between a luxury yacht broker and a shipyard is that of the relationship between Yachting Partners International and Royal Huisman.
