For the past decade, the Monaco Yacht Show has featured tenders and watertoys alongside large yachts in Port Hercule. This niche exhibit area has grown significantly, both in scope and size. This coming September, the Monaco Yacht Show Adventure Area is changing yet again. It reflects how significantly owners’ and guests’ preferences are maturing.
Initially, show organizers created the Tenders & Toys area in 2016, primarily featuring traditional guest limo tenders, daytripping craft, and small watertoys. As it gained traction, so, too, did exhibitors with off-road vehicles, helicopters, and other ways to enjoy in-shore experiences. Therefore, starting in 2022, the Adventure Area united all manner of tenders, watersports platforms, and land and aerial vehicles. Last year alone, 60 tenders—representing about half the number of superyachts in the marina—were on hand.
Increasingly, owners and their families are seeking more from the craft that their primary yachts carry. Those with the true explorer spirit, for instance, have been buying military-spec RIBs and custom tenders with more rugged engineering. Others who want a higher level of luxury, meanwhile, have highly custom limo tenders whose interiors are on par with that of the mothership. Still others want chase boats that can take a crowd fishing, waterskiing, and more. In each case, the tenders and toys are no longer nice-to-have supplements or add-on support craft. Instead, they’re a seamless extension of the overall cruising experience. Additionally, for buyers building a yacht, the tenders and toys are progressively planned alongside the main megayacht.
All of this explains why, from September 23 to 26, the Monaco Yacht Show Adventure Area is including two significant differences. Firstly, tenders in the 49- to 56-foot (15- to 17-meter) size range are receiving special attention. It’s a size category where the complexity of the design and intended performance benefits from more than a typical static display. Secondly, since the area—along Quai Antoine 1er—includes in-water displays, showgoers will be able to enjoy on-water demonstrations. This is further a response to how owners and buyers want to ensure that a potential purchase aligns with their intended use.
The Adventure Area evolution complements other significant expansions and developments within the show this year. For example, the Blue Wake Zone will include superyachts, charter yachts, and concept designs. The Blue Wake Zone highlights companies with vetted approaches to lessening environmental impact. It started in 2022 as the Sustainability Hub, limited to companies offering more environmentally friendly systems and components.
Monaco Yacht Show monacoyachtshow.com
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