Sint Maarten Super Yacht Show Changes Direction

What was a Charter only show will now offer Superyachts for Sale

This year in what is a new initiative, MYBA will be opening the doors of its St Maarten-based Caribbean charter show to yachts, which are explicitly offered for sale.

The brokerage association entered into its controversial partnership with St. Maarten charter yacht show organisers several years ago, with a view to creating another show for super yachts for charter in the Caribbean. In those days super yacht charter business was booming, and the benefits, both to charter agents, the yachts they represented, and to show organisers the Sint Maarten Marine Trades Association (SSMMTA), were considerable and it was hoped that the show would rival that of Antigua.

Times however are now somewhat different and MYBA president Neil Cheston says, “2009 has brought austerity and changes to the super yacht industry and has taken the initiative to invite yachts for sale to a new category within the St Maarten Show.” Lucille Frye, show organiser of the event said, “The, and in fact the whole community in St Maarten, do a first class job with this show, and MYBA is as keen as the SMMTA to make the show a resounding success and generate yachting business,” says Neil Cheston. “It makes perfect sense to take advantage of the superb facilities at the St Maarten Show to sell a few yachts as well as booking charters for the upcoming season.”