An owner's prerogative
An owner has the right to be on board his or her yacht at any time. However, how does an owner being on board a yacht affect the sale of a yacht during the show, and how does it affect the crew showing the boat? We hear from two captains - one for and one against owners being on board during a show.…
How often an owner is on board his or her yacht will always be a variable, but is it usual for an owner to be on their boat during a boat show? Some might think an owner is able to show potential buyers the best bits of the boat, while others may take the other view that having existing owners on board could put potential buys off asking relevant questions and seriously considering the yacht.
One captain of a 50m-plus sailing yacht is against the presence of owners on board, due to the fact that it can limit the crew’s ability to show the yacht.
“Personally I think [having owners on board during a sale show] is a bad idea,” explains the captain. “The crew need to be busy presenting the boat and doing excellent tours, not worrying about the next cappuccino and so on.”
As with any significant purchase, a potential buyer will want answers to intricate questions that they might be hesitate to ask should the current owners be on board the vessel. “I think potential buyers are going to feel a bit strange about asking the poignant questions if they think the owners are about,” the captain adds.
During the 2014 Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, the one of the owner’s of Golden Compass was on board Perini Navi Group’s 46m Picchiotti Golden Compass. With a different point of view, the superyacht’s captain, Brad Baker, felt the owner’s presence was an asset to the sales process.
“In the case of my owner, he really enjoys being at the shows and it’s a good way for him to keep up to date with the industry. He is always only too happy to assist with showings and puts a unique owner’s perspective with the clients that matter.” Golden Compass has an extensive cruising background, the owner having down a four-year world cruise with the yacht, which Baker believes provides clients and potential buyers with good stories about the possibilities of ownership.
During the show, the owner of Golden Compass was aware of the importance of allowing the crew to show the boat at its best. “In our case, we close down the galley on show days and the owner and crew dine ashore, so the yacht stays in a presentable condition,” adds Baker. “The owner stays on board, but knows to clear out by 8am so the stateroom can be prepared for viewing. For most of the showing time he is off the yacht, and when he is on board does not hinder showings in any way.”
“I don't think its up to crew to try and sway an owner what to do with his own property and if he wishes to stay on board that's his prerogative,” adds Baker. “It could definitely be an inconvenience to the crew who work very hard during shows to have the added burden, but it is then up to the captain to ensure sufficient staffing to cater to the owner’s needs, whatever they may be.”
An interview with the owner of Golden Compass will appear in issue 16 of The Superyacht Owner.
One captain of a 50m-plus sailing yacht is against the presence of owners on board, due to the fact that it can limit the crew’s ability to show the yacht.
“Personally I think [having owners on board during a sale show] is a bad idea,” explains the captain. “The crew need to be busy presenting the boat and doing excellent tours, not worrying about the next cappuccino and so on.”
As with any significant purchase, a potential buyer will want answers to intricate questions that they might be hesitate to ask should the current owners be on board the vessel. “I think potential buyers are going to feel a bit strange about asking the poignant questions if they think the owners are about,” the captain adds.
During the 2014 Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, the one of the owner’s of Golden Compass was on board Perini Navi Group’s 46m Picchiotti Golden Compass. With a different point of view, the superyacht’s captain, Brad Baker, felt the owner’s presence was an asset to the sales process.
“In the case of my owner, he really enjoys being at the shows and it’s a good way for him to keep up to date with the industry. He is always only too happy to assist with showings and puts a unique owner’s perspective with the clients that matter.” Golden Compass has an extensive cruising background, the owner having down a four-year world cruise with the yacht, which Baker believes provides clients and potential buyers with good stories about the possibilities of ownership.
"The owner stays on board, but knows to clear out by 8am so the stateroom
can be prepared for viewing. For most of the showing time he is off the
yacht, and when he is on board does not hinder showings in any way."
- Captain Brad Baker, M/Y Golden Compass
- Captain Brad Baker, M/Y Golden Compass
During the show, the owner of Golden Compass was aware of the importance of allowing the crew to show the boat at its best. “In our case, we close down the galley on show days and the owner and crew dine ashore, so the yacht stays in a presentable condition,” adds Baker. “The owner stays on board, but knows to clear out by 8am so the stateroom can be prepared for viewing. For most of the showing time he is off the yacht, and when he is on board does not hinder showings in any way.”
“I don't think its up to crew to try and sway an owner what to do with his own property and if he wishes to stay on board that's his prerogative,” adds Baker. “It could definitely be an inconvenience to the crew who work very hard during shows to have the added burden, but it is then up to the captain to ensure sufficient staffing to cater to the owner’s needs, whatever they may be.”
An interview with the owner of Golden Compass will appear in issue 16 of The Superyacht Owner.
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