So I was sitting at Capital Grill in Fort Lauderdale yesterday listening to Bob Saxon tell me a story. Bob had a New Yorker magazine folded open on the bar when I arrived. I was intrigued. "What are you reading", I asked. It was an article on hybrid cars.
Bob Saxon is an icon in the yachting industry and owned his own yacht management and charter company for 15 years before he sold it to Camper & Nicholsons (A Rodriquez Group company) 5 years ago. I worked in the industry for 7 years in the 90's, and loved it...I managed a private yacht charter business for five years, and then worked at Sparkman & Stephens for two. A lot has changed since then. So I asked Bob who is buying yachts these days. He said, "even with a two year wait at most European yards, with an impending democratic presidency yachting may feel a pinch".
It made me think about the customer and who has $10-$150 million in their back pocket to splurge on a big yacht now. In the Northeast yachting is a traditional old money pastime. It made me wonder if the new money digital tycoons of today will move the yachting industry in a new direction that reflects their culture. Jeff Bezos of Amazon drove a Toyota Corolla for years even after reaching multi-millionaire status. I also find it interesting how many luxury car owners also own a Prius. The digital tycoons seem like a natural fit for a new market of high-tech self-sufficient yachts that can be built today. So why not build hybrid yachts? Complete with solar panels and LEED sustainable designs.
Talking to Bob, this idea came together for me because since January 2007 I've been working as a business development consultant for Ciralight. They produce what I call "skylights on steroids". It is basically a skylight that uses mirrors to capture sunlight into a building, not just at Noon, but from sunrise to sunset so you don't have to use electricity at all during the day! Amazing stuff; for the pocketbook and the planet! My kind of thing. It makes everyone feel good! By using Ciralight in their buildings big box retailers give their customers a sense of satisfaction that by shopping in their stores they are also doing their part help the environment. A win-win.
So why not apply this idea to yachts. If anyone can do it, Bob Saxon can! If you are in the market to buy, or even custom build your new hybrid yacht...call Bob Saxon.
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
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