Cruising

This year's Monaco Yacht Show market report clearly shows a shift in where the future lies for the charter market. While demand remains strong for the traditional Med and Caribbean routes, it names a set of "emerging" grounds: Canada's West Coast, Ireland, the Galapagos, Southeast Asia, Denmark, Mexico and several more.

That list shows the location demand, not what is involved in getting a superyacht to the location and operating safely in the region. I have operated in the majority of the identified regions, and each one taught me a different lesson.

Australia. The distances between proper marina infrastructure are much larger than a chart makes them look, and bio-security on arrival is one of the strictest in the world. Under-declared provisions or bilge water can hold up a yacht for days. Cyclone season timing can dictate and destroy the whole itinerary, not only the shoulder weeks.

Canada's West Coast. Absolutely spectacular and genuinely underexplored. It is seen as the conduit for getting from California, Oregon and Washington up to Alaska, but should be seen as a destination in its own right. Yes, there is fog, strong currents, and a short cruising window, but the scenery, the humpback whales, the orcas, the bears all make up for it. The Inside Passage gives a new vista every minute and gives a feeling of solitude in a fast-paced world.

Brazil. An underrated cruising ground, for the right vessel. I was discussing with an investor recently about wanting to cruise the Amazon (something I have done myself previously). We discussed staging posts, links to infrastructure and security concerns (something I offer within my representative business), and what I had to say changed his plans around what type of vessel to buy or charter. The logs and trees hurtling down the river are no joke, they might as well be icebergs moving at a rate of knots towards your multi-million-dollar yacht. We all know that over centuries rivers change and adjust the landscape, what is less known is that the Amazon river shifts weekly: a safe route last month is now a grounding hazard this week. A river pilot with intimate knowledge of the intended route is essential.

The areas identified as emerging cruising areas are underexplored due to their nature, not due to the lack of demand. Some areas have a short window of exploration, some require a more robust build and specialist systems to survive those waters.

That gap, between the demand and the physical robustness of the vessel and the local infrastructure, is where experience really reduces the risk.

If you are thinking of any of the destinations in the Monaco Yacht Show Market Report, or any other destination, it is worth a conversation with me to discuss options and realities before committing to an itinerary.

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This article is general commentary. It is not legal, tax, financial or investment advice.