Being on an island facilitates boat ownership. What does a boat add to one’s lifestyle?
On a small island like Malta and with the traffic we have, getting around can be an ordeal. Even just heading out to enjoy a day at the beach can take you hours. Owning a boat gives you the freedom to get away from it all and access parts of the island and its coast that are unreachable by road. Apart from local cruising, you also have access to the wider Mediterranean with Sicily only two hours away.
You represent Sunseeker in Malta. What models does the current range include?
Sunseeker manufactures three types of yachts; the flybridge yacht which focuses on space and comfort, the sports cruiser which showcases performance and style, and the sports yacht which is a hybrid of the two. In terms of size, Sunseeker builds boats from 40 to 155 feet. This year we have reached another milestone by producing over 100 yachts over 100 feet at our Poole shipyard in the UK.
You also represent other brands such as Invictus and Numarine. What lifestyle do these brands cater for?
Invictus caters more for the day cruising market. This would be the type of customer who would use a boat for a day or over a weekend and can be flexible about using the boat because they do not require much assistance to operate. Invictus produces boats from 19 to 40 feet. During the first quarter of 2016 we will be introducing the GT370, which comes with an amazing folding bulwark. We are confident that the Invictus brand will quickly gain popularity in Malta as it offers a unique design but very good value for money.
Numarine is all about outfitting yachts with an abundance of amenities and convenience features as standard. Numarine is also the number one choice for discerning owners who value individualism. The brand fully embraces the fact that that every owner’s needs are different. Be it a striking and unique exterior colour scheme or full blown re-configuration of an interior layout, the in-house design team work with owners to create the perfect configuration and decor suited exactly to customer needs. Numarine produces boats from 60 to 130 feet and these come in hardtop, flybridge and explorer versions.
Recently you launched the MGM Boats brand in Malta. What added value do you expect from this operation?
MGM Boats was introduced to Malta as the brokerage arm of our group. The brand forms part of a network present in the UK, Ireland, Northern Ireland, Portugal, Mallorca and Northern Africa. MGM has a brokerage portfolio of about 400 boats, motor and sailing boats and catamarans. The brand brought about a lot of added value to our group as it enabled us to connect with a category of customers that before, with the brands we represented, we could not reach. Nowadays, more individuals are opting for pre-owned and I’m sure that they will find MGM the right solution for their requirements.
During the Valletta Boat Show, MGM Boats will be launching the Galeon brand, for which MGM Boats is exclusive distributor in the UK, Ireland, Northern Ireland and Malta.
What innovations were introduced at the Monaco and Cannes boat shows?
There are always various innovations at these shows. Our aftersales and yacht services arm, Yachthub, exhibited at the Monaco Boat Show, while all our sales team were present in Cannes, in representation of the Maltese territories on the stands of the brands we represent.
In terms of the brands we represent there was the Invictus 280 TT, which is a custom built superyacht tender. It has a fixed rubber panel along the hull so you can easily moor alongside larger vessels but still has the beautiful shape of the GT version. The 280 TT was nominated for a European Power Boat 2016 award.
Another yacht worth mentioning is the Galeon 500. This boat has hydraulic bulwarks on either side that fold down, giving the owner increased volume on the aft deck along with a pull out bar and viewing gallery.
What role does technology play on board modern boats?
Technology plays a huge role. This is because yacht manufacturers want to make boating as easy and user-friendly as possible for the discerning client. Many of our customers are new to boating and the last thing you want to do is scare them away because they feel they are out of their depth. Joystick manoeuvring, on board computer management systems and military-grade night vision capability are a few examples of the technology currently available.
What models will you showcase at the Valletta Boat Show?
We were hoping to showcase our brand new Sunseeker Manhattan 55 but we have just sold it so it will not be on show as the new owner will be taking delivery of it shortly. We will, however, be showcasing the Sunseeker Predator 62, Sunseeker Portofino 40, Invictus 280 GT, SACS Strider 10, Strider 9 and Sport 700 to name a few. There will also be some surprises including numerous water sports products represented by the group.