This issue will hit the docks during the Palma Superyacht and Boatshows, where we will all hopefully be having a busy week ! The show is a sell out and bumper crowds are expected, so fingers crossed for all exhibitors and visitors alike. Last year’s event was a rip-roaring success in terms of visitor numbers and the number of yachts sold as a direct result of the show.

From Palma we hot foot it to Barcelona for the MYBA Charter show, quickly followed by the LYBRA Superyacht Show, also in Barcelona .So, a busy time for us all and amongst all that lot is the Palma Vela regatta, the first major Mediterranean Regatta of the season. Almost 200 yachts are expected from over 20 countries making it one of, if not the largest regatta in the Med. Boats range from Flying 15’s to Maxis, with the TP 52’s having their first outing of the year.

The new Viper 6.40 class made its debut at the recent Princess Sofia Regatta and will also be present at Palma Vela. This class looks sure to make a lasting impact in the Bay of Palma, with an enormous effort from One Palma being rewarded by good turnouts. This class has also been chosen for the inaugural Womens Invitational Class at the Copa del Rey in summer. Not bad for a class that was unheard of here 5 months ago!

Locally, Puerto Portals are steaming ahead with their redevelopment, sometimes to the detriment of local residents who seem to be suffering with all night noise from the works. The marina has also decided to ban 3^rd party leasing of berths, making the buying of a berth for investment rather redundant. It will be interesting to see how this works out.

Talking of berths, there seems to be more of a shortage than ever this year, with Mallorca seemingly becoming more and more popular each season. Let’s see if the moratorium on new marinas for 15 years lasts, I have a feeling it won’t ! The government of the day will have the final say I suppose, and when this issue hits the docks, we will know what the results of the general election on April 28^th has delivered to us………or maybe we won’t judging by recent elections !!

Fair Winds !