Denison’s Take On Yachts Miami Beach 2017

The following is published on Boat International:

The 2017 edition of Yachts Miami Beach saw several changes, with a new layout and admissions policy, but what did the top yacht brokers really think? What would they change about the show if they could? And how is the U.S. market faring after the recent presidential election? We spoke to some of the leading figures in the superyacht brokerage world to get their thoughts.

“People we met on the docks tended to be more serious than in years past and our team was able to walk away from the show with multiple brokerage and new boat contracts,” reveals Bob Denison, president of Denison Yacht Sales. Despite predicting a 40% decline in overall attendance, Denison expects business to be up across the board.

“I think four locations is too much,” he added. “Rumour is that two of the locations will be combined next year with Strictly Sail moving from Bayside to Virginia Key. There’s not much we can do about the other two locations as Watson Island is the only solution for deep draft boats that can’t make it into Collins Avenue.”

Denison puts the positivity in the market down to the presidential election bringing an end to political uncertainty. “The market is certainly more alive, but this isn’t something Mr. Trump can take personal credit for,” he continued. “The months following presidential elections always tend to be more positive. Nobody likes the uncertainty election season brings, especially when extremist on both sides do their best to convince us the world will end if their candidate isn’t elected.”

In term of improvements, Denison had one key suggestion: “In the future I’d love to see that main Collins Avenue thoroughfare double in size. It would obviously be more expensive, but would allow more room for desks, flags, and most importantly for boaters to stop and interact with the brokers and yachts without feeling like they’re getting in the way of traffic.”