Dear Islander,

As I write this in Mid-September, the boat show season is in full swing, showing encouraging signs for the marine industry. Cannes has been hailed as a great success by businesses and visitors alike. Sunseeker claim to have done 25 eu million of retail business, with another 15 million expected in direct follow ups. A great success by any standards. The show is certainly increasing in popularity and is attracting larger boats year on year. Perini Navi’s 43 mtr S/Y Dahlak was evidence of that.

I have just returned from the Southampton Show, where I spent the opening weekend amongst enthusiastic crowds, with many taking to the water in the plethora of “ Try a Boat” opportunities available, a great feature of Southampton Boat Show in my opinion. There were more boat debuts than normal, including a beautiful Spirit 47 CR, a new breed of cruising yachts from the Ipswich based master craftsmen. Bavaria launched a range of catamarans, and had a huge presence at the show via their UK distributor, Clipper Marine. The Oyster 675 was attracting lots of attention as was the Princess 30 mtr.

Next week sees us, and most of the Palma based marine companies make the annual pilgrimage to Monaco to witness the excesses of life in the principality, and to hear what the pundits have to say about the industry’s prospects for the next 12 months. I suspect cautious optimism will be the watchword.

The main regatta season is coming to an end on this side of the Atlantic, with Les Voiles being the traditional end of season bash in St Tropez, before many yachts take a well-earned break before heading off to the Caribbean.
We hope to include a new Caribbean section within the pages of The Islander during our Med winter months to keep you informed of what’s happening across the pond. We have many requests from readers wishing us to include news from the Caribbean during their regatta season, so we will see what we can do ! Watch this space !

Locally, we have the Oyster regatta in Palma 6th-8th October, with a record 50 yachts entered, a great effort from the Oyster family ! We will bring you a report and lots of great photos in next month’s issue

Fair Winds.