The yachting life for Thais

[rooster59]

The yachting life for Thais

By Jintana Panyaarvudh 
The Nation Weekend 
Singapore 

 

A general view of Princess Y85

 

The beauty of these boats in that friends and family can enjoy complete privacy as they cruise

 

THE YACHTING lifestyle has become increasingly popular in the region, with more people wanting to fulfil their dreams of tranquil and private cruises among idyllic islands with friends and family.

 

Vrit Yongsakul, managing director of Boat Lagoon Yachting, has led the growth of Thailand’s biggest yacht importer-distributor for 13 years, and he’s seeing interest in the lifestyle surge, especially in Thailand. 

 

It’s largely driven by the appeal of absolute privacy, he says.

 

 

“You feel more free,” Vrit says.

 

“Luxury yachts can take their owners anywhere they wish to go and at any time. And the owners have many destinations to choose from, so it never gets boring.” 

 

Modern yachts are also designed with such a high level of comfort that they’re akin to luxury condominiums, says Vrit, who introduced a range of new British yachts in Singapore last week.

 

“It’s like taking your own condominium with you, complete with a comfortable living room and kitchen and elegant bedrooms.”

 

Vrit Yongsakul, managing director of Boat Lagoon Yachting, presents the upper deck of the yacht Princess Y85.

 

Yachting is a sociable pastime. Friends and family might take several yachts out together, cruising to islands much as the owners of luxury sports cars and motorcycles organise group outings on weekends. It all serves to cement long-lasting friendships, Vrit says.

 

Yacht owners obviously don’t have to worry about money. They had previously been concerned about how often the yacht was used and how best to maintain it, and whether friends were available to join them on a cruise, says Vrit.

 

His customers these days are more sophisticated and have more knowledge about yachting, and they can differentiate among various models, he says. 

 

They might even consider the financial status of the manufacturer when deciding to buy a boat because they might want to upgrade later.

 

 

Customers make the decision to buy faster than in the past because they have more confidence in after-sales service, says Vrit.

 

Distributors typically place an order with the boat builder once a customer decides to buy. There can be a wait or one year to one and a half years for delivery. 

 

Prospective customers can make their choice among models by taking a “test run” on one of the yachts Vrit has in stock, and he’ll also accommodate them if they want to buy right away. 

 

“Many of our customers are financially ready to buy and they don’t want to wait – they want to get it right away,” he says. 

 

Vrit’s long experience has taught him what his customers like and expect, and the boats he’s imported meet their demands, so they sell quickly. 

 

His company’s sales have grown 10-15 per cent annually over the past 10 years. It sells about 40 yachts a year at prices ranging from Bt40 million-Bt900 million. 

 

Vrit says his company has a great record of customers remaining loyal. First-time buyers often come back quickly to either upgrade their yachts or buy additional boats. 

 

 

What Vrit was showing in Singapore last week was three new models of the Princess Yacht, the world’s most popular choice and built by a well-known British boatyard. 

 

The range, including entry-level super yachts and sport yachts, were being shown for the first time in Asia at One 15 Marina Sentosa Cove. Visitors got to admire a Princess Y85, Princess F45 and Princess R35, together worth Bt450 million.

 

One was sold beforehand and two people expressed interest in the Princess Y85, alone worth Bt300 million.

 

The Princess Y85 is regarded as the pinnacle of the Motor Yacht class, offering elegant luxury living, lots of space, and great performance.

 

Vrit Yongsakul, managing director of Boat Lagoon Yachting, leads a tour of cabins inside the yacht Princess Y85.

 

The Princess F45 is the class-leading compact flybridge yacht, optimised for on-deck living. It’s designed for maxim space, efficiency and flexibility. 

 

The Princess R35 is described as a sports yacht of revolutionary performance, optimised for speed with a groundbreaking “sports car” air-intake system and hydrodynamics, exhilarating rides guaranteed.

 

 

These three models are among 15 yachts worth Bt1 billion in total that Vrit is importing from the British manufacturer this year.

 

Established 25 years ago, Boat Lagoon Yachting represents world-class brands including Princess, Jeanneau, Prestige, SACS and Burgess, with an exclusive dealership that covers Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia and Maldives.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/lifestyle/30369959

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2019-05-26

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[George Bowman]

1 hour ago, rooster59 said:

Prospective customers can make their choice among models by taking a “test run” on one of the yachts Vrit has in stock, and he’ll also accommodate them if they want to buy right away. 

I've been thinking of upgrading. K. Vrit, do you take in trades?.

Edited May 26, 2019 by missoura

[cornishcarlos]

2 minutes ago, missoura said:

I've been thinking of downgrading. K. Vrit, do you take in trades?.

 

It would be a down grade if you bought a Princess ???? 

 

[ChrisY1]

All that dirty money needs to go somewhere....

Maintenance is the big issues with these types of expensive boats....something not often in the Thai vocabulary.

[geoffbezoz]

Think this guy has got a big money backer. Run the 2nd video. After about 22 seconds when he goes down below look out of the window across the the quay to where the other boats are moored.  I am sure standing on the stern of a boat, wearing the blue shirt, is the Red Bull run-away ! ????

[Proboscis]

I love these ads for luxury yachts that "can go anywhere." Until they hit their first squall, that is. Not to mention pirates. And oil tankers that don't change directions so that you have to drive around them. Privacy? Good luck with that! If you and your pals want to be able to get some shut-eye, you will need an experienced crew. Otherwise you have to have someone keeping watch at night in the high seas.

[brokenbone]

i will get a slight pension increase at age 65,

hope i can fit in one of those yachts in my budget then

[Dexlowe]

Free advertising. Full of the usual Nation happy-happy, joy-joy, lets live in lala land nonjournalism.

 

Sorry. just sick of this pointless rubbish foisted on us. It's not so much the story, but the way it is written that gets my goat. 

[Dolmance]

If I wanted to live on a boat, I'd buy a Vietnamese crab boat, and deck it out.  Just as much space, and half a percent as expensive.  And they're beautiful!

[off road pat]

16 minutes ago, Dolmance said:

If I wanted to live on a boat, I'd buy a Vietnamese crab boat, and deck it out.  Just as much space, and half a percent as expensive.  And they're beautiful!

Or Something like these Junk's ?!?

[losername]

I'll take two.  The extra one for the miia nooi.

[Tomahawk21]

i bought a big boat when i was living and working in the UK, been retired here for 20 years and have the weather and the time for a boat but no interest in boats now. i think as the saying goes if it floats , fly or fxxxx rent it. i would not have a boat again. not to mention the money i lost on it when i sold it.

Edited May 26, 2019 by Tomahawk21