Charter Industry Shines at Newport Charter Yacht Show

Even with a history that spans almost four decades, the annual Newport Charter Yacht Show appears young and vigorous every time it returns to Newport, R.I.’s famed waterfront. The industry event, held Sunday, June 23 through Wednesday, June 26 featured 15 luxury motor and sailing yachts from lengths in the mid 60-foot range, such as the 64’ M/Y Gem (represented by Nicholson Yachts), to greater than 100 feet, including the 168’ M/Y Acta (Edmiston). The yachts participate with the intent of convincing charter brokers they have what it takes to offer onboard guests magnificently bespoke charter vacations.

Aerial of the 2024 Newport Charter Yacht Show in Newport, R.I.

Consequently, dozens of charter managers, such as Worth Avenue’s Michelle Finn (Jr. Charter Manager), are aboard the yachts to assist with networking. “Ultimately, the brokers bring the clients; the managers liaise between the brokers, the owners, and the captains and crews of the vessels,” said Finn, noting that Worth Avenue had a complement of three yachts to handle at the show (Indy, Namastay, and Hoya Saxa).

While the managers know all there is to know about their yachts, the brokers might not be as informed or may need to learn what might have been updated and how crews might have changed since the last time they saw the boat.

“This show is a nice warmup for the season,” said Hope Swift of Swift Yacht Charters and Villas, adding that she brought three of her new brokers who had never been to a show before.  “It’s manageable, not so exhausting as other shows, and you get to hear the real buzz on the docks.”

“We’re booked out until September,” said Megan Johnson, a manager for the 110’ M/Y Freedom, which is a Horizon yacht represented by Yacht Connexion, “but our goal is to fill in the blanks for September and October while we are in New England and before we head south in November.”

For Freedom’s Captain Brendan Emmons, a longtime champion of Horizon, one of the largest yacht builders in the world, the Newport Charter Yacht Show is a showcase opportunity not to be missed. “This is my fifth year with the show. Horizon has an entire line of yachts that we are constantly upgrading; this is how we get in front of brokers.”

Clockwise from top left: Brokers aboard FiFi; the always elegant Nadan; Indy, Namastay, and Hoya Saxa; dockside at FiFi, aft deck of Chasseur. Photos by Miste Photography/Michelle Almeida

Plenty to Do for All Attendees

While yacht managers, captains, crews, and chefs must give tours, host broker luncheons and otherwise find ways to shine a light on what they have to offer, they also have a chance to socialize at organized events such as Wednesday’s American Yacht Charter Association’s annual Signature Seminar Series and Sunday’s Captain and Crew and Show Briefing sponsored by Akzonobel and Bridge Liquors.

Also on that Sunday, the American Yacht Charter Association invited brokers and other attendees to visit two of the newer hotels in Newport (Gardiner House and Hammett’s) and enjoy a harbor cruise on two Hinckley Jet Boats before finishing off with cocktails on the rooftop of the Brenton Hotel.

Crew competitions at the 2024 Newport Charter Yacht Show. Photos by Miste Photography/Michelle Almeida

An uproariously funny evening of Crew Competitions highlighted Monday’s social schedule. Sponsored by the U.S. Superyacht Association, Dockwalk magazine, Aere Marine Group, Young Designs Floral, U.S. Superyacht Association, Narragansett Beer and Safe Harbor Newport Shipyard, it saw captains and deck hands “trying out” to be stewards, inflating fenders, and making flower arrangements with support from their fellow interior crew members. Of course, all disciplines were timed from start to finish, since performing under pressure is part of the chartering game. A Vivace crew member nailed the fender competition when he covered a 5’ fender and had it ready to go (using an electric pump) in 54.22 seconds. Freedom crushed it with an arrangement that was voted by spectators as the best floral design among 18 others, while Chasseur’s deck hand ran an obstacle course carrying a tray of filled glasses – the fastest without spilling – to prove he could be a top-notch interior crew.  (Chasseur also was deemed Overall Winner in the crew competitions.)

Earlier that afternoon, the Chef’s Competition, sponsored by Shoreside Support, mesmerized attendees. Barely 24 hours before they had to present to a panel of three judges, six chefs who chose to enter were provided with a “Mystery Basket” of ingredients. While cooking and heating had to be done in the chefs’ respective galleys, they were allowed to plate, sauce and garnish on a staging table (with the clock ticking) before they presented and explained their dishes to the judges and the audience.

Clockwise from top left: Hoya Saxa’s Chef Fernando collects his Mystery Basket ingredients; Cole Brittony of Shoreside Support moderates for judges Kitty McGowan, Kevin Des Chenes and Matthew MacCartney; winning chef Kendra Castello of Freedom; Chef Kendra’s “Deconstructed Pho Tower.” Photos by Miste Photography/Michelle Almeida

The theme of “Fine Dining,” was wide open for interpretation, as they made magic out of supplied boneless short ribs, scallops and Dutch jumbo white asparagus as well as exotic items such as Italian truffles, local garlic scapes, wild licorice roots, European heirloom sunchokes, and of course, Petrossian Ossetra Royal Caviar!

In the end, Chef Kendra Castello of the 110’ M/Y Freedom won with her take on the assignment: a “Deconstructed Pho Tower.” Components included sunchoke kimchi, crunchy wontons, pickled daikon radish, grilled white asparagus and a hot pho broth made from short ribs. The broth was poured tableside for each judge.

“Such a beautiful dish, and equally delicious,” said Chef Kevin Des Chenes, a private chef and culinary director of Newport Mansions who served as judge along with Kitty McGowan, a former yacht chef now president of the U.S. Superyacht Association and Matthew MacCartney, wine director of The Ocean House and Newport Mansions Wine and Food. 

“I had no expectations, so I was shocked,” said Chef Kendra, adding that she had flown in at 2 a.m. the day before the competition (she is on rotation as one of Freedom’s three chefs). “I just always take everything in stride and try not to ever be stressed.”

Top row: Vivace’s Chef Monja plates her “Scallops and Scapes.” Bottom row: Hoya Saxa’s Chef Fernando puts finishing touches on his “European Sunchoke Gnocchi Surf & Turf with Artichoke Focaccia.” Photos by Miste Photography/Michelle Almeida

M/Y Vivace’s Chef Monja Jacobs came in second with her “Scallops and Scapes,” while M/Y Hoya Saxa’s Chef Fernando Gomez took third with his “European Sunchoke Gnocchi Surf & Turf with Artichoke Focaccia.”

“They really stepped up their game,” said McGowan, explaining that although cool prizes for this and the other crew competitions were at stake, the chefs compete mainly for the joy of it. “It was the most competitive I’ve seen it in the last eight years I’ve been judging this.”

Talents of interior crews shared the spotlight on Tuesday during onboard Tablescaping and Signature Cocktail/Mocktail Contests, followed in the evening by a Yacht Hop full of cheerful mingling as well as colorful decorations, costumes and music. Participants had to wait, however, for winners to be revealed at Wednesday’s final Crew Party & Crew Competition Awards sponsored by Alexseal Yacht Coatings, Barton & Gray Mariners Club and Denison Yachting.

Vivace’s “Coastal Gardens” tablescape took the first prize from the professional judges provided by Newport Yacht Interiors: “The crew enthusiasm was through the roof,” said head judge Cheryl DiGennaro. “They went the extra mile sourcing oyster shells that they custom-decoupaged themselves. The styling of the table worked with the styling on the boat…welcoming for comfortable conversations with personalized details.”

Clockwise from left: Brokers enjoy the company of FiFi’s superhero crew during the Yacht Hop; Freedom wins Herman Pundt Best Yacht Hop award; Vivace’s crew with their winning “Coastal Gardens” tablescape (judge favorite), Chasseur’s “Mystical Enchanted Garden” tablescape (fan favorite). Nadan’s winning “Spicy Tempest” cocktail shown with its cucumber mule mocktail entry. Photos by Miste Photography/Michelle Almeida

The Fan Favorite, as voted by the brokers and show attendees, was Chasseur with its “Mystical Enchanted Garden” design.

For cocktails, which required the use of Gosling’s rum, Nadan excelled to win with its “Spicy Tempest,” while FiFi took the stage for its mocktail margarita called the “FiFirita.”

Finally, for its vibrant red-white-and blue “Freedom” theme – you guessed it –Freedom won the Herman Pundt Best Yacht Hop award, named in memory and honor of Herman Pundt, a longtime charter broker and huge supporter of the Newport Charter Yacht Show.

Information: www.NewportCharterShow.com or contact Veronica Brown, Show Director, +1 401 846 6000, vbrown@shmarinas.com.

Click here for full event schedule.
Click here for full list of boats registered.
Click here for photos from 2024.  

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