Q & A with Nick Boksa about the 2012 Miami Boat Show

Were you at the recent Miami Boat Show?
“Yes, we were there. We had a lot of our close contacts we wanted to see personally – folks at Burger Boat, Pursuit Boats, Jupiter Yachts, Lazzara Yachts, Buddy Davis Yachts, etc.

It seemed to be a relaxed vibe this year. I think there is still an air of caution within the market. Attendance seemed down…the energy from past years was not the same. Coming off of a solid showing in Fort Lauderdale in the fall, I expected more. That being said, there have been a lot of positive signals within the industry too…orders picking up, new designs, an influx of foreign interest, etc.”

Where do you see some of that increased activity coming from?
“While I still think the worldwide market is in a recovery phase, interest from China and the Asian sector is quite active. Calls to our office from owners and representatives have been increasingly steadily. We also hear a lot from owners in the U.S. and Europe…I don’t think they’re too far behind either. I imagine the next 2 years will be exciting.

I’d love to see more orders coming through the U.S. based builders – Burger, Trinity, Delta and Christensen. It would certainly be good for those builders specifically, but better for the industry as a whole. As they say, a rising tide lifts all boats.”

What impressed you at the show?
“A few things. It was great to see so many North Carolina builders represented…Buddy Davis, OBX Boatworks and Spencer Yachts among others. They produce such great quality boats, especially the larger fishing boats that are now becoming even more luxury oriented. I feel an allegiance with the North Carolina boat builders since I use to live in Manteo, N.C. and worked for Buddy Davis in Wanchese.

Folks like Marlow with their larger Explorer Series yachts and Hinckley Yachts with their great work are indications that the market is still interested in yachts that are manageable. The owner can still play an active role in operating their boat…can still manage all aspects of it. While a touch smaller, these boats are easier to manage, more efficient and have an easier time finding berths in marinas around the world.”

See any trends coming out of the show?
“I think now provides a great opportunity to capture owners who are looking for multi-purpose, multi-functional boats…for cruising, for fishing, entertaining…and they look stylish all the while….

Also, owners are hyper-focused on quality. With this market, if owners are spending, they’re making sure that their yachts are designed and built using the highest standards. From a design and engineering perspective, that’s great! Theses boat are both an investment and a realization of a vision. Owners want a yacht that’s representative of their personal and professional achievements.”

Per an article on gCaptain.com, “the United States and Mexico agreed Monday to work together on oil and gas development in the Gulf of Mexico, paving the way to end a long-running moratorium on their maritime border. Under the deal, companies from the United States and Mexico would be encouraged to collaborate on projects over their Gulf maritime boundary but would be able to go ahead on their own if they do not find a partner.” See the complete article here.

This is encouraging news for the commercial marine industry as increased development within the Gulf of Mexico should translate into increased demand for marine services. Those service would include new construction of exploration and supply vessels, repair of ships and equipment, project management and more. Shipyards, ports and labor around the Gulf should begin to see a pick up of work. The area is still recovering from the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill.

Naval architects, engineers and yards with interest in commercial work should keep abreast of developments. The opportunity for a revitalized marine economy in the Gulf should have a bright future.

As part of our continued focus on using Social Media tools to connect with our current and prospective customers, Boksa Marine Design will be tweeting live from the Miami International Boat Show. We’ll also be adding Facebook updates throughout the day.

We’ve found that social media has allowed us the opportunity to connect with industry leaders in a way we’ve not been able to in the past. Connections are more personalized, timely, and in a sense ‘real’ in that there’s less ‘corporate talk’ and more of an ability to get to the heart of the matter. We’re also able to share (and receive) a lot of information that is pertinent to us.

For the Miami Boat Show, the Twitter hash tag is #MiamiBoatShow or #MIBS or #MYBS- their Twitter handle is @MiamiBoatShow. And the website is: http://www.MiamiBoatShow.com

Boksa Marine Design Facebook

Boksa Marine Design Twitter – @YachtDesign

Boksa Marine Design Linked In

Hope to see you online!

Video was released last week from coverage we’ve received regarding one of our latest projects. The Tampa Bay Business Journal ran a quick segment on Boksa Marine Design‘s involvement with CubaKat, a company offering ferry service from Florida to Cuba. We’re pleased to be designing the high speed ferries.

CubaKat has plans to begin service in 2013, operating between Marathon, Florida and Havana, Cuba.

Here’s the commentary from the video segment below:

“A new Tampa Bay Business Journal hits newsstands today and editor Alexis Muellner is here to talk about some of the week’s big stories.

Okay – and this is really exciting, a Tampa company is set up to head up a new design for ferry service between Florida and Cuba.

Well we’ve heard…in more recent times there has been more interest in…there is a back and forth between the U.S. and Cuba. There are still restrictions on that travel but a Tampa design firm called Boksa Marine is designing a catamaran and is involved with a couple of companies. It’s an 85′ foot catamaran that can hold a 150 people. It’s going to go from Marathon, Florida to Havana in 3 hours. There are a lot’s of things still to work out in terms of regulations, but it’s just a sign of the incredible interest in Havana….Cuba…and Tampa Bay have long-standing roots to Cuba and hopefully there are continued business opportunities for companies like this in town….a design firm trying to build a new catamaran.

Lot’s to watch for…and it’s going to be a hot area ahead…

Really exciting…” CubaKat and Nick Boksa Design in the news from CubaKat on Vimeo.

One of the exciting new trends of the last few years is the growth of the luxury yacht market in Asia. Phuket Island, the coast of Thailand and the surrounding Adaman Sea seems to be the focal point, attracting the super rich, celebrities and industry insiders.

This superyacht wonderland offers beautiful scenery, great ports of call and is an ideal locale for those traveling from both China and the Middle East. Similarly, there is an increase in the structure that supports luxury yachting; top-class marinas, service yards, brokerage houses and much more have sprung up to service the needs of the growing industry. The area is also home to Asia’s largest in-water boat show, the Phuket International Boat Show. It’s the Miami or Ft. Lauderdale Boat Show of Asia attracting top of the line builders, designers, marine suppliers and the wealthy owners who follow.

In a recent SuperYachtTimes.com article, Phuket Island was billed as the center of Asia’s marine leisure industry and is considered one of the top five cruising destinations in the world. At one time, the Caribbean and the Mediterranean were the places to be seen. And while this is still the case, the popularity of the Adaman Sea and the surrounding coastlines are where many luxury cruisers are choosing to visit.

In that same article, Channel News Asia reported  “The amount of private wealth in Asia is estimated to triple to US $16 trillion by 2015, according to Swiss private bank Julius Baer’s annual wealth report done jointly with CLSA. It is this growth in regional wealth, combined with the desire of boat owners wanting to relocate from traditional cruising grounds, that continues to fuel the growth of the marine leisure industry in the region.”

What this means for American naval architects, yacht designers and builders is ‘new opportunity’. A growing industry needs experienced professionals to provide the design and engineering services that will continue to be desired. With demand slowing in U.S. and European markets and demand increasing in the greater Asian market, smart U.S. based firms will figure out ways to market their services here. China is minting new millionaires by the day. Not only is the luxury market growing – the commercial and industrial market is greatly expanding.

Opportunities like the Phuket International Boat Show and other marine related shows in the region are great tools for creating awareness within the Asian market for American service providers. The ‘American made stamp‘ in luxury and commercial marine design carries a lot of weight. Asian owners and builders seek the knowledge and expertise of American yacht designers and engineers because of the quality of work and attention to detail and efficiency.

The next few years should prove to be exciting as opportunity and grow exist on the Asian horizon!

The 2012 Miami International Boat Show opens Thursday Feb. 16 and runs through Monday, Feb 20.

One of the premiere boat shows worldwide, the Miami Boat Show will feature over 2,000 marine and boating related vendors. The show will also feature more than 3,000 boats from small personal watercraft to the largest, most luxurious superyachts afloat.

Billed as the “Greatest Boat Show in the World” you’re sure to find everything from electronics to services to apparel to…well, anything marine and boating related.

For luxury yacht and superyacht enthusiasts, this show will feature a variety of yachts that are designed to impress. Check the Miami Boat Show website for more info. You can also connect with the show on its Facebook page.

In a February 7th news story at Dredging Today, it’s been announced that the U.S. Department of Commerce has signed a memorandum of Intent (MOI) at the Port of Tampa.

Read the full article here.

Per the article, “the purpose of the memorandum is to stimulate economic growth and global trade by way of collaborative international initiatives and investments.”

The MOI is important because it supports the National Export Initiative to double U.S. commercial exports by 2014. “Partnering efforts will include communications and exchange of strategies to bolster international trade and U.S. exports.” Numerous state, regional and local agencies will support those efforts in an attempt to further position the greater Tampa Bay region as a transportation and shipping hub for international imports/exports.

Regional firms and agencies hope to see an increase in job creation and industry stability as a influx of financial support is funneled into Tampa through federal dollars and international investments.

Image from DredgingToday.com

At Boksa Marine Design, we believe that proper marine design – proper yacht design – is a combination of technical expertise, creative design, unparalleled customer service and complete project management.

# 1 – Our clients – the yacht owners and their representatives – drive the design process

Our goal is to help you articulate your vision of the perfect yacht. We will help you to outline your needs and wants and then we’ll work to bring that vision to the water. Whether you are seeking to custom build a 180 foot superyacht or convert an existing yacht, we can help you navigate the design and build process.

Each project begins with the vessel mission where we work closely with you to fully understand all of the requirements and criteria that you wish to have incorporated on your yacht. As the vessel mission is established and the conceptual design phase begins, we begin to craft a visual representation of how the vessel would look.

# 2 – We include you in every step of the design process

We are also very comfortable working with whoever may be involved with the design process including builders, brokers, your crew or other representatives. Our goal is to exceed your expectations by providing insight and solutions that are unmatched within our industry.

# 3 – We are dedicated to balancing owners wishes with design excellence

Your boat is your baby. We’re here to listen and then build the framework of your ideas into an overall vessel mission. From their we’ll begin the exciting phases that constitute design, building and engineering. Our relationship with you is based on giving you the yacht you envision.

In a recent Question and Answer session with Nick Boksa, naval architect and president of Boksa Marine Design, we asked what drives quality yacht design?

Nick’s answer:

“Quality design – quality work in general – is based upon a variety of things. At BMD, we focus on three guiding principles:

- We work to balance owner’s wishes with design excellence
- We create consultative and long-lasting relationships
- We operate our business with integrity and customer focus

Those may seem simple, but they work. Other things – like hiring good people, our wealth of industry experience, keeping current with engineering and design advancements, etc. all fall within these principles.

We approach every project with the ultimate goal of providing the highest quality work. Our clients carry great expectations and we work hard to fulfill those expectations.”

The Asia Pacific Maritime TradeShow 2012 opens in Singapore in 2 months; March 14 – 16.

Billed as the region’s premier maritime event, Asia Pacific Maritime is a ‘must exhibit’ and ‘must attend’ for the maritime industry – especially those able to reach Singapore.

Per the Asia Pacific Maritime website, the show “offers opportunities to interact, network and explore collaborative opportunities while getting updated with the latest emerging trends in the maritime trade…it is the one-stop market for the region’s maritime community, showcasing the latest in marine engineering and port technology. APM will be featuring shipbuilding & marine, workboat and offshore segments.”

The show offers an opportunity to get in front of key players within the greater Asian market – industry leaders from China and Japan, as well as India, Thailand and Singapore. Builders, shipyards and owners will all have representatives on site.

The website lists those who should attend and exhibit:

• Ship & Boat Owners
• Ship Managers
• Ship Builders & Repairers
• Boat  Builders & Repairs
• Cargo & Container Terminal Operators
• Classification Societies
• Ship Registrars
• Boat, Tug, Ferry, Offshore Supply Vessel Operators
• Consultants
• Financiers
• Insurers
• Legal Professionals
• Distributors & Agents
• Freight Forwarders
• Government Agencies
• Navy & Police Coast Guards
• Fisheries
• Marine & Naval Architects & Designers
• Offshore Suppliers & Services
• Port and Maritime Agents
• Port Managers / Terminal Operators
• Public Administrators
• Ship & Boat Chandlers
• Ship Operators
• Shippers
• Shipping Agents and Brokers
• Shipping Lines
• Maritime Crewing / Manning / Recruitment Agents
• Other Maritime Organisations

You can connect to the show on Linked In.