Newport Charter Yacht Show

From 21-24 June, the Newport Charter Yacht Show celebrates its 33rd edition with new owners Newport Shipyard, bringing a fresh spin on some of the show’s long-held traditions. The show provides excellent networking for agents, brokers and industry professionals, featuring chef competitions, tablescape contests and seminars.

“I always think of Newport Charter Yacht Show as the official kickoff to New England’s summer charter season,” said Jeff Shaffer, Director of Charter Marketing for Fort Lauderdale-based Neptune Group Yachting.

“This show has been very successful for me because the charter brokers in the New England area typically don’t come to Florida where most of my yachts are based, so they don’t know the yachts and the crews personally. This show gives them the advantage of one-on-one time with them.”

MY Loose Ends; credit Neptune Group

This year Neptune Group will be showing three charter yachts, all of which are new to the show. They are the 124-foot Delta Marine Motor Vessel Loose Ends, the 110-foot Broward Motor Vessel Kaleen and the 70-foot Niko Stokman/Peter Sijm Motor Vessel Grand Cru.

“For Kaleen, this is her first time coming north in three or four years,” said Shaffer. “The yacht has a very successful charter following in the Caribbean and Florida, so we receive quite a lot of repeat clientele. By having the yacht in New England, it gives these clients the option of chartering a familiar yacht in a new location.”

In addition, Shaffer says, “Booking in New England is different than in Florida and the Caribbean as it’s much more last-minute. The yachts need to be ready at a moment’s notice; it’s not uncommon for me to receive an email or a phone call on a Wednesday and start a charter on Friday.” 

Kaleen accommodates eight guests and has a professional crew of five, which includes a world-class chef. The yacht interior was updated in 2012 with upgrades to the master suite, guest staterooms, main salon, dining salon and aft deck.

As for Loose Ends and Grand Cru, both yachts underwent major refits last year to prepare for the 2016 charter season.

MY Zoom Zoom Zoom: credit Northrop & Johnson/Ed Holt

The largest yacht so far registered in ths year's show is the 161-foot luxury Trinity Yachts Motor Vessel Zoom Zoom Zoom, represented by Northrop & Johnson. Boasting impeccable style and grace, the superyacht is one of the fastest in its size range on the open seas.

“Our charter style is a little more like that of an expedition,” said the yacht’s Captain Mike Finnegan. “We like going off the beaten path, setting and hauling lobster traps and giving our guests an ‘ocean to table’ experience. New England is always great for this, not only because of its aesthetics and climate but also for its coastline and history.”

Zoom Zoom Zoom was acquired in September for her new owner, with whom Finnegan has worked for nine years.  “It was in Italy when we purchased it, and we’ve been doing a pretty extensive refit to it both mechanically and throughout the interior, getting it ready to jump back into the charter scene on this side of the world.”

Zoom Zoom Zoom accommodates 10 guests in five exquisite staterooms. Its master suite features a private study, king-size bed and a his-and-hers en-suite bathroom complete with a steam shower and jacuzzi. Among its many “toys” are wave runners, seabobs, paddleboards and a waterslide.

SY Marae: credit Nicholson Yachts/Jeff Brown 

The largest sailing vessel (to date) in the show is the 108-foot Marae, represented by Nicholson Yachts. The Ted Fontaine designed luxury sloop is a regular attendee at the show and won “Best Sailing Yacht” at the International Superyacht Design Awards in 2004. Marae comfortably sleeps up to seven guests in its three cabins and boasts panoramic views from its luxurious upper salon and wet bar. With unparalleled service from her experienced crew, she provides a respite “finer than the finest full-service villa.”

Also making appearances at Newport Charter Yacht Show and available for fully-crewed sailing charters in New England this summer are the 65-foot sloop Hurrah and 62-foot sloop Bandido. Both are built by Oyster Marine, the UK's most successful builder of large semi-custom cruising yachts.

“These two Oyster Yachts are new to the charter fleet and feature Oyster’s distinctive deck saloon and other design elements that optimize comfort and seaworthiness,” said Oyster’s Molly Marston, noting that both sailing vessels are able to host up to four guests in three cabins.

Speaking about the show, Marston says, “It’s a great event and very important in the charter industry. I’m glad to see that great care has been taken in finding the Newport Charter Yacht Show a new owner and a new home.”

Newport Shipyard: credit Bill Black

Newport Shipyard, one of the most popular and recommended shipyards in the US is a full-service marina and shipyard with over 3,500 linear feet of dock space that can accommodate yachts up to 300+ feet. Its amenities include a dockside café, ship store, fitness center, courtesy vehicles and crew housing. With its friendly staff, welcoming atmosphere and event planning capabilities, Newport Shipyard also hosts to many other prestigious yachting events, including the biennial Newport to Bermuda Race Crew Party and the Candy Store Cup (formerly the Newport Bucket), an annual superyacht regatta to be held July 29-31, 2016.

Click here for the full list of boats registered to date

For more information please visit our website or contact the Show Manager at Newport Shipyard:

Veronica Brown
Tel: +1 401 846 6000
Email: veronica@newportshipyard.com