FunAir has announced three new products that will debut at the Monaco Yacht Show next week. John Courtney, MD of Yachting at FunAir, spoke with SuperyachtNews ahead of the show, to learn more the process of bringing new designs to the market.

When it comes to designing new products, he explains that often new inflatables and toys are a result of crew feedback. “Some of our best designs and ideas come from direct conversations with yacht captains and manufacturers who want a solution. Whether they are looking to add fun to their yacht or improve operational efficiency, our in-house design team and certified engineers take an idea and bring it to life.”

These relationships with crew, owners and industry professionals have directly influenced the three new products that are launching at Monaco. “We worked closely with M/Y Loon to develop the new ‘Beach Club Sea Pool’ and with the team at Superyacht Tenders and Toys on our new wave loungers. The ‘Twin Escape’ is a natural development from our larger floating island and the daybed was developed via conversations with the captain of M/Y Illusion V.” The beach loungers have been designed to inflate quickly and are light enough for multiple loungers to be transported on a single tender.

According to Courtney and the FunAir team, many vessels often request a variety of inflatables on board. “There is definite progression towards multiple activity-based products. We regularly supply a full complement of inflatables to the yacht. We get requests for a yacht slide, climbing wall, sea pool, jet ski dock and several smaller inflatables like our ‘Yacht Golf’ and ‘Joust’. The yachts want a full set, custom designed and often in the yacht’s colour scheme.”

FunAir return for the fifth year as partners for the Monaco Captains and Crew lounge, as Courtney finds it an unrivalled way to build relationships with crew, and receive feedback from those enjoying their designs. “We love the direct access we get to the people who use our products day in and day out. We gain new insight, are inspired by anecdotes and innovate our way through the ideas and dreams crew share with us.”

As with many in the industry, Courtney sees the Monaco show as one of the most important events in the calendar. “It brings together all the right people in the industry and gives us a fantastic platform to launch new products in this most prestigious location. We get to meet with owners, captains and crew, managers, brokers and our partners and having the opportunity for face-to-face conversations is extremely important for us.”

The wave loungers and daybed will be on display outside the Captain and Crew Lounge during Monaco Yacht Show, with the 'Twin Escape' nearby on the dock.

Images: wave loungers and the 'Beach Club Sea Pool' on M/Y Loon, the 'Twin Escape' and the M/Y Illusion beach loungers. Courtesy of FunAir

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