Serious buyers and quality visitors were in abundance despite the poor weather that afflicted this year’s Singapore Yacht Show, according to the organisers. 

Held from April 23 to 26 at the award-winning One°15 Marina Club, the 2015 edition of the Singapore Yacht Show (SYS) attracted close to 110 exhibitors in attendance and nearly 70 yachts on show.

“The presence and enthusiasm of serious buyers and HNWIs (high net worth individuals) was strongly felt at this year’s Show, with most exhibitors already committing to return next year with a bigger and better presence. Obviously, the heavy rain every day was very disappointing, but we are happy to hear that this has clearly not impacted the calibre of the visitors or the overall satisfaction of our exhibitors,” commented Andy Treadwell, Managing Director of Singapore Yacht Events, the owner of the show.

All the major yachting and boating brands expressed their delight with the show, with Simpson Marine achieving record sales and several signed contracts, including an Azimut 80 and two Lagoon 630s, a model which made its Asian debut at the show.

Simpson Marine said it signed a record number of contracts at the event. 

Mike Simpson, Managing Director of Simpson Marine, asserted: “Despite terrible weather, the serious buyers were not deterred and came out in full force. We could not have asked for better results and we continue to see year-on-year growth at the show. The buyers came from across the region, including Hong Kong, Malaysia and Thailand, this clearly demonstrates the Show’s importance and reach in Asia.”

Fraser Yachts echoed this sentiment: “We feel that it’s key to be at the most important show in Asia. We look forward to coming back next year and hope the weather will be better.” said Lisa Peck, Global Marketing Manager of Fraser Yachts.

Amels was a new addition to the roll-call of superyacht builders to exhibit at SYS. Marketing Director, Victor Caminada commented: "This was the first time that Amels participated in the Singapore Yacht Show and we have been positively surprised. There was a broad range of highly qualified visitors and we had many enquiries and interesting meetings. The organisers did a good job, bringing together different components and activities and the social events were very well done. We have two yachts in Asia and we hope to have them in the show next year, when we will certainly be back."

First-time exhibitor Seakeeper also expressed delight with visitors’ response to its products. “Due to the tremendous number of sales experienced over the last four days, we intend to renew our presence here next year on a much larger scale,” said Phil Bourque, Global Account Manager, Seakeeper.


LUXURY AUCTION 

The Lucanna Luxuria Auction also received tremendously positive feedback. One visitor and bidder, Philippe Wimmer, was particulary excited about the auction: “The Singapore Yacht Show is a landmark event and I have been attending it for the last two or three years. I love the maritime flavour the show brings. I am here (at the auction) as all the pieces are amazing but specifically I came for the watches. People who love yachts generally love watches and in particular the Patek Philippe Nautilus 3700 - it’s outstanding!"

The rare and limited edition timepiece was priced at a cool $44,000. Another coveted highlight at the auction was a piece by renowned contemporary artist, Damien Hirst, Cephalothin, which went for over $9,000.

A definite crowd-puller at the show was the supercar rendez-vous, where a colourful convoy of sleek and sexy Lamborghinis and Ferraris were separately displayed at the Esplanade by owners clubs. Saturday afternoon saw a concours d’elegance of classic and heritage cars, which provided visitors with a taste of sophistication from bygone days.

Other highlights included the attendance of the Oceanco-built Anastasia, a 75.5-metre superyacht - the largest yacht ever displayed in Asia, and the participation of 69-m Saluzi, the largest permanently based yacht available for charter in Asia. The show ended on a high note at the Exhibitors’ and Sponsors’ Closing Party, held on all three floors of One°15 Marina Club’s iconic tower.

The Singapore Yacht Show team has already announced the dates for the sixth edition of this rapidly growing regional yachting and boating showcase, which will take place between 7th and 10th from April 7 to 10, 2016, at the same venue.