HEADING DOWN UNDER

One welcome effect of the law change is that there will be bigger boats in the area, says Jonathan Beckett, CEO of Burgess. “There are not many big, quality superyachts in Australia. There are smaller yachts up to about 100 to 120ft [30 to 36 metres], but not superyachts as we know them. It will open up the market.”

Burgess is sending 74.5-metre Lady E for charter in December and January; 6o-metre Dream, 55-metre Papa and 44.2-metre Hemisphere may follow (all are foreign-flagged). Fraser already had the local 35.3-metre Paradise and 33.2-metre Corroboree for charter, while Camper & Nicholsons is offering 36.6-metre Sahana and 35-metre Spirit, both Australia-based.

Beckett imagines Australia will be a particular hit with West Coast Americans, perhaps a younger, tech-savvy crowd. “The younger generation are more dynamic and