- Create 20 ‘parking spaces’ and turn over at least R12 Million a month
- The greatest iconic Marina, in Africa’s Southernmost City
Whilst our South African Government and Municipalities struggle to find time and money to comprehensively fix just a pothole… in more ‘developed’ parts of the world people struggle with the major challenge to develop the Perfect Charter Yacht and find a marina to berth in.
If you are a resident of Gqeberha in South Africa then dream along just a bit with me as I imagine a sea trench from the old North End Beach snaking it’s way to the North End Lake which would be a perfect mooring spot for these Perfect Charter Yachts. They would be surrounded by industry and land, overlooked by people willing to spend more money on property for the enhanced view, close to the iconic Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium and in vary protected waters.
The Superyacht industry has been concerend about the availability of berthing for Superyachts for a numed of years now. Shipyard order books are full and the predictions are that by 2030 the number of Super Yachts seeking marina berthing will be more than the number of berths available.
Veteran marina designer and consultant Oscar Siches says that berth demand ‘absolutely’ outstrips supply. “The first solution for the lack of berths is looking for alternative places elsewhere, but not everybody would accept spending winter in Split, Antalya or Rhodes,” says the Palma-based manager of two Mallorcan marinas. “The other possibility is to anchor off.”
Owners of Super Yachts are certainly a different breed. Imagine this – you are the Captain of a Super Yacht, the owner tells you to meet him in Sydney on a certain date. He flies in with some guests, spend two days on his yacht and then tells you to meet him in Cape Town. You arrive in Cape Town, he says he is busy and tells you to meet him in New York… and so the cycle continues.
Us mere mortals have no idea of just how moneyed Super Yacht owners are.
The estimates of how much it costs to run a Super Yacht are of around 15 – 25% of the purchase price per annum. Post-purchase, an owner should expect to pay (at an estimated 20%) around $2 million (r34.72 Million) a year in operational costs on a Super Yacht’s initial purchase price of $10 million (R173.58 Million).
Large power yachts can consume around 20 (75.70 liters) to 50 gallons (189.27 liters) of fuel per hour at cruising speed. Larger luxury yachts, such as superyachts and mega yachts with fuel capacities of 10,000 gallons (37 855 liters) to 50,000 gallons (189 2700 liters), may have higher fuel consumption rates, averaging around 100 to 500 gallons (378 to 1892 liters) per hour at cruising speed.
Marina Berthing (‘parking space’) costs in the Top 10 rated marinas in the world are enough to make a tenderpreneur cry in rage: Depending on just where in the world and what facilities are close by these monthly prices can range from $36 000 (R625 000) per month to over $100 000 (R174 000) per MONTH.
Take the Yass Marina in Abu Dhabi as an example of just where we could be:
The premiere Middle Eastern destination for superyachts, Yas Marina in Abu Dhabi is able to cater for 227 yachts, with facilities for superyachts measuring up to a 150 metres. As well as state-of-the-art yachting facilities, the marina also features a vibrant dining and entertainment scene.
Yas Marina, however, is perhaps best known for its positon at the heart of the race track when the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix arrives every November.
The quest for the Perfect Charter Yacht continues apace with Hill Robinson saying that as a result of extensive research, industry consultation, and design development, they have the perfect concept for the Perfect Charter Yacht
Developed in collaboration with German design studio Dölker + Voges, this 60m motor yacht concept strives to achieve a maximised charter revenue by incorporating the most frequently requested features of yachts that enjoy successful charter programmes.
Nicolas Fry, Head of Charter Management at Hill Robinson, identified an opportunity to conceive a design that prioritises charter and is capable of not only covering running costs for an owner but generating a significant net revenue for the Owner.
“We gathered precious insight from brokers, Captains, and clients about their perception of the perfect charter yacht and composed an extensive brief for Dölker + Voges that enabled Isabella Knappe to create a beautiful design centred on charter. Building the Perfect Charter Yacht with the right shipyard will drive the clients who are interested in renting it, the price competitiveness, and maintenance costs.” – Nicolas Fry.
The design features a several lifestyle amenities to directly appeal to the charter market. A primary requirement was a versatile cabin arrangement and the six suites aboard the Perfect Charter Yacht can be united in pairs to form three ultra-spacious and supremely luxurious VIP suites with lounge areas. The sliding doors that connect or separate the cabins also make the arrangement ideal for families who’d like to accommodate children in adjacent cabins.
Multi-level aft terraces provide breathtaking views and play host to a swimming pool, sun loungers, and al fresco dining space. There’s an entertainment lounge with games and large-screen television, and an expansive sun deck with a barbecue and lounge seating that lends itself to long lunches and relaxed evening soirees.
For live-action and highly engaging cooking experiences, or simply a conversation with the Chef, a bar counter is positioned adjacent to the galley. And, at the yacht’s stern, a beach club with fold-down terraces over the water also enjoys direct access to a wellness suite with sauna and gym. Stowage space for a wide array of tenders and water sports equipment has also been carefully considered, as have the crew quarters and the movement of crew around the yacht, helping to ensure the top-level hospitality and service synonymous with superyacht charter.
In a full-scope package, the concept will be promoted for sale by Moravia Yachting, the retail arm of the Hill Robinson Group under a central agency arrangement, with Hill Robinson’s experienced team of project managers overseeing the build as well as the completed yacht’s operational and charter management.
The build shipyard is at the buyer’s choice, with indicative pricing from well-known European shipyards at €65 million (R1.248 Billion).
The Perfect Charter Yacht could be marketed at high season rates of €600,000 (R11 520 000) per week in the Mediterranean during summer, and in the Caribbean during winter at $650,000 (R12 480 000) per week.
“We would expect the Perfect Charter Yacht to book at least five weeks at her high season summer rate and a further three weeks at low season pricing. During winter, two weeks at the high season rate and two weeks at the slightly lower rate would be easily achievable. This represents a net chart income for the Perfect Charter Yacht of €5,359,832. (R102 908 774)” – Nicolas Fry
Robert Voges, Founder and Managing Director of Dölker + Voges comments: “We were pleased to accept the invitation from Hill Robinson to design this yacht, as it offered an exciting challenge to integrate numerous functionalities into one vessel while appealing to a broad audience. With Dölker + Voges’ 27+ years of expertise in custom yacht design and Hill Robinson’s extensive experience in yacht charters and operations, we were able to blend our insights to meet the specific needs of chartering. And this is what makes the yacht unique: all the different features, seamlessly integrated into a functional layout and clean elegant exterior design.” – Robert Voges
Forget spending money on statues and name changes – spend money on assets that will attract tourists and the super wealthy to come and spend here.
Imagine the spin offfs and upsells: Crews need accommodation and entertainnment, industry will be revived, shipyards will move here, the Port facilities will be used even more, guest houses will be full, fuel suppliers will be smiling, property all along the canal and lake will boom, our city will be exposed to many more people, surrounding game farms will be in big demand, the airport will receive a boost with crew changes and guests, hire care companies will smile and our friendly citizens will be prosperous and happy.
AND – we actually have TWO areas that lend themselves to safe, semi-inland Super Yacht Marinas with the other one being the old Smelly Creek area – that will be just a short channel to the area where Easigas is currently situated.
Alan Straton
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