Yachting
Yachting
achting in Grenada and the wider Caribbean developed as an industry in the 1960’s with the advent of the first charter boats and the development of cruising on yachts as a lifestyle. Since this time, the wider Caribbean has become a well recognized destination of choice for yachting tourism, rivaling areas like the Mediterranean in popularity. By the late 1960’s, Grenada rivaled Antigua for the size of the yachting industry in terms of boats and services. The political upheaval of the early 1980’s disrupted the growth of the yachting industry in Grenada, as well as the economy in general, allowing other Caribbean islands to develop yachting facilities far ahead of Grenada. During the 1970’s and 1980’s, the development of the yachting sector on other Caribbean islands was considerable: The British Virgin Islands became a major yacht tourism destination; Antigua and St Martin became the island of choice for “Superyachts”; while Trinidad and Tobago became a major service destination. Grenada’s yachting industry meanwhile stagnated and actually retracted during this period: the dereliction of Grenada Yacht Services up to the 2000’s is a good example of this. Interest in Grenada as a yachting destination has returned, and the country once again benefits from increased private sector development in the sector.
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Nicholas George- Budget Marine ‘Cruisers don’t go where they can’t shop’ say Nicholas George, General Manager of Budget Marine in Grenada. The expansion of chandleries on island has been phenomenal. We started in a small store in 2001 and since that time we have seen at least seven fold increases in business. Our aim was to build a nice store with good stock and we believed that the people would come… and they have! We have expanded with the market and eventually we see Budget Marine being a yachting mega-store. Cruisers live here so they input directly into the local economy. They are buying from shops of all sorts, supermarkets taxis, vendors, restaurants, bars all benefit from the yachting community. Nicholas George estimates that over 50% of the cruisers renew their cruising permits in Grenada. Presently that is $50.00EC per month period; a testament to “product Grenada.” Why is this? He believes that Grenada is one of the safest places one can be in the Caribbean and with the high rates
of crime in neighboring Trinidad a lot of cruisers are choosing Grenada to be the best place to be. In terms of yard facilities involving yacht maintenance and metal work most things that can be done in Trinidad can now be done here in Grenada. The only thing George advises that can not be done here as yet are life raft servicing and skilled propeller fabrication and repair. But even this kind of specialist service he see’s coming here in the near future. Other factors that make cruisers choose destination Grenada are the fact that Carriacou, Petite Martinique and the Grenadines are a stones throw away and are amongst the best cruising waters in the world. Of course, the strategic location of Grenada being situated at 12 degrees north allows for full insurance coverage of yachts during hurricane season. The upward movement of the growth curve is still very strong he insists as witnessed by Budget Marine’s increasing revenue year to year. Even during recessionary times there has only been a decline in sales of luxury items, maintenance item sales has remained strong.
Nicholas George estimates that over 50% of the cruisers renew their cruising permits in Grenada
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