Specifically created for the nautical leisure industry and aimed at the increasing millions of mobile device users, a dedicated mobile app building service is currently on offer at the yachting PR company, YachtMedia. The company has made an app for such outstanding vessels as the Carbon Yachts 82 sailing yacht Aegir.

Sailing yacht Aegir with app by YachtMedia - Photo credit to Billy Black

Yacht Media is run by Peter Franklin who was formerly Managing Editor of The Islander Yachting Magazine for the Western Mediterranean which he successfully handed over to new management as it entered its 17th year in publication.

Now based in The Netherlands and focusing on Bespoke Publicity for the Yachting World, the YachtMedia team have put together a mobile app offer that is timed to meet the expected business growth in the nautical leisure market in 2014.

Boat shows lead the way
Peter explained: “We are now into the boat show season which is busier than ever, and as already seen at the Monaco Yacht Show and METS, the expectations for a resurgence in yacht sales and charter are quite high. We know from speaking to our many contacts in the industry, that there is a high awareness of the benefits that can be derived from having a mobile app that carries your marketing message to a whole new generation of 3G/4G connected mobile device users.  We know that the most popular Christmas gift for 2013 was the tablet computer, which will bring even more millions of new potential clients into the mobile connected age!”

Removing the barriers
“What seems to be a barrier against yachting companies embracing the mobile app is firstly the high price level,” said Peter, “followed by a reluctance to entrust the app building work to a software company with little or no knowledge about the nautical industry. We have addressed both of those concerns by delivering customised apps at a very competitive price point, and having the required knowledge as experienced yachtsmen, to interpret the clients wishes, and to interact intelligently with him on how to provide the best app layout for his particular needs.”

Proven in use…
YachtMedia have designed and managed apps for the 2013 Boatshow Palma in Mallorca whose visitor numbers grew from 23,000 to 37,000 over the previous show, and for Bluewater Yachting’s brokerage division, who have had an app made specifically for the Carbon Yachts 82 racing yacht Aegir, which they currently have listed for sale at €6.75 million.

Jim Acher, yacht broker at Bluewater said; “We see this as a great way to add an extra dimension to the marketing of a high value yacht. The app carries every piece of information that a potential buyer would wish to know, and all in a very logical, easy to navigate layout. Also, by hanging the QR code banner, supplied by Yacht Media, on the stern of the yacht, it gives immediate access to the app with just a click for anyone with a SmartPhone or a Tablet!”