An interview with: CEO and JFA Yacht & Ship Founder James Fachtmann
How did the 2023 Miami International Boat Show compare with 2022?
We were once again thrilled to take part in the world’s largest international boat and superyacht show. This was year 12 for us. As one of the 1,000+ exhibitors, we displayed M/Y “Rockstar 2.0,” a Sunreef Supreme 68 at the Venetian Marina area. Our brokers accompanied many of our clients to view yachts of interest. This show is always an exciting experience. Now that the industry has shifted towards a buyer’s market, this is the perfect opportunity! As the New York Post wrote, “The show had “everything from kayaks to catamarans to superyachts.” The electric powered boats continued to be a category of interest, just as we see electric cars trending. The largest gigayacht of the Miami show, M/Y “AHPO” was the highlight of the show at 378 feet. One of my personal highlights from this year’s show was the IYBA Drone Swarm “Yachts After Dark” Show on Friday night which was simply out of this world!
Like last year, 2023 was another successful boat show for JFA Yacht & Ship. We participate in at least 4 major shows annually: Miami, Palm Beach, Monaco, and Fort Lauderdale. The public had the opportunity to meet and experience our yacht consultant’s superior service and learn how we do it differently; affectionately known as “The JFA Way”.
What is “The JFA Way?”
As professional yacht consultants that stand apart from your typical “boat salesman,” we promise not to “sell you” on a vessel that doesn’t fit your needs, wants, or desires. Instead, we work hard to earn your trust by listening first. Analyzing your needs before we start the search is an important key step in “The JFA Way.” Armed with a full 360 view of what it is that fits your specific needs, wants, and desires we can then quickly narrow the search to find just the right yachts for you to consider. This saves you precious time and travel expense. During boat shows, qualified buyers use our “JFA Buyer’s VIP Boat Show Concierge Program” to maximize their time at the show. You too can use this service. This program utilizes the full benefits of our JFA Yacht Consultants before, during, and after the show. Before the show, a 45 minute initial diagnostic consultation will help us gain the “360 needs analysis” so that your trusted JFA advisor can help identify which yachts at the show will best fit your needs. Your consultant will compile your information, comparables, and set up each of your appointments so that you can quickly see the yachts without waiting in long lines or having to sign-in to multiple hostess stands. This saves you hours of frustration that maximizes your time at the show. We do it all for you. It’s the “easy button!” During the show your JFA consultant will walk through the show with you, take you past the long lines, and assist you in narrowing your choices. For that perfect fit, we’ll make written offers on the spot and guide you through the negotiations. With an IYBA Purchase Agreement in place, we will coordinate your Survey & Sea Trial. After the show, your JFA Yacht consultant will attend the survey with you, review your Surveyor’s Report, develop a strategy for acceptance, and coordinate your closing. The goal is to make this whole process FUN & EASY with as little stress as possible! Our best value comes after the handover celebration as we help make your decision “Right.” Serving your needs as a yacht owner is important to us.
Could you tell our readers more about M/Y “ROCK STAR 2.0”?
We promoted M/Y “ROCK STAR 2.0” well. We had many Social Media Influencers, YouTubers including our friends from Nauti-Syles, Evan Scales Visuals, and Nautical Network that came aboard to shoot this amazing Sunreef Power Catamaran. It sure was our pleasure to exhibit this luxurious Sunreef Supreme 68 Power Cat in excellence and to show the public what a 68’ Cat with 3,200 square feet of living space can offer. Compare that with the indoor floor space of a monohull mega yacht like what you would find aboard the 263’ CRN flagship “Chopi Chopi” (priced at $100 million). Without the need for such a large crew, this 68’ Cat with just a crew of 2, there is so much living space on M/Y “ROCK STAR 2.0” it’s incredible!
We recently reduced the asking price from $4.45m to a List price of $3.99 million. Rock Star 2.0 gives you a lot of bang for your buck. M/Y ROCK STAR 2.0’s width, 34.5 feet, is wider than 80% of the boats displayed at the show are long. If you’re interested, reach out to me or one of our JFA Yacht Consultants and we’d be happy to discuss your offer.
What was the Super Yacht Show within the 2023 Miami International Boat Show like this year?
With an exclusive invitation, we accompanied some of our clients to the “boat show within the boat show” of superyachts. With complimentary water tender service, viewing these opulent vessels and then returning to the regular boat show was seamless. I personally enjoyed these displays the most because everyone aspires to have the biggest, baddest yacht and it was amazing to see the possibilities. We viewed the Utopia IV, a Rossinavi. Also, as I mentioned above, we saw the largest boat in the history of the Miami show: The $355 million gigayacht, M/Y “AHPO” at an impressive 378 feet. She was just stunning and adorned in luxury. We’ve gone to Monaco several years in the past and having the gigayacht in Miami as the star of the show was like bringing the Monaco Show to Miami!
Will the “JFA Buyer’s VIP Boat Show Concierge Program” be available at the next big boat shows that are coming up?
Absolutely. We just participated in the 2023 Palm Beach International Boat Show this past weekend and had much success. The event was unforgettable and featured more than $1.2 billion worth of yachts and accessories including hundreds of boats ranging from 8-foot inflatables to superyachts nearly 300 feet in length. Our team at JFA will work with you to preview the boats before upcoming shows and will support you long after you purchase the boat of your dreams. After all it is… “the JFA Way!”
Founder Capt. James Fachtmann, CPYB, is a Certified Professional Yacht Broker who has been a Licensed and Bonded Yacht Broker for the last decade. Born from a passion of the sea and boating, JFA Yacht & Ship is a culmination of 100+ years of yachting experience & successful yacht brokerage world-wide. Reach out to James today to discuss your vision on the seas, james@jfayacht.com, or by phone at 954-732-5825.
