Phuket International Boat Show 2016: Invasion of the Multihulls

A fleet of Aquila Powercats – exhibiting at Phuket International Boat Show for the first time in 2016.

Looking around the marinas and anchorages of Phuket there has been a significant shift in the type of boats that call Phuket home. It’s not an entirely new trend, but the move from single to multiple hulls has certainly gathered steam in recent years.

A healthy local boat building industry with a pre-disposition to multihulls has clearly played a role in that, but growth also in the arrival of international brands is clearly evident.

“The number of multihulls in Phuket has been growing for a number of years. It’s not entirely new, but their popularity has certainly picked up pace in recent years. At PIMEX this year we have received a lot of enquiries from multihull brands and builders, probably 300% more than normal and we are proud to have one of the biggest line-up of multihulls in-the-water of any boat show in the region,” said Mr. Andy Dowden, Managing Director of Andaman Marine Consultants, organiser of the Phuket International Boat Show.

Represented by Marine Max Vacations, Aquila Power Catamarans are exhibiting at the Phuket International Boat Show for the first time this year. Developed by a collaboration of the industry’s most forward thinking experts and the leading powerboat dealer in the world, Aquila power yachts bring an entirely new perspective to the private ownership and charter markets. These spacious cats are popular in the Caribbean and are soon to be a common sight in the Andaman Sea. See them at berths D3 and D4 in-the-water at the Show.

Island Spirit 380 – award-winning cat that will be showing at 2016 Phuket International Boat Show

Another new catamaran brand to the Show is the Island Spirit. Built in Rayong, Thailand and designed specially for the tropics, these popular award-wining cats have a growing domestic and export order book and the Island Spirit 380 will be presented by Sail in Thailand on-the-water on Dock C.

Also in-the-water are multihull specialists Multihull Solutions who joined PIMEX for the first time in 2014 and sold their first catamaran on Day One of the Show. Multihull Solutions are in-the-water on Dock D with the Fountaine Pajot Flagship catamaran, the Victoria 67 as their highlight.

A long time exhibitor at the Phuket International Boat Show, Elite Yachting, have one of the largest charter fleets in Phuket as well as representing a number of leading yacht brands in Thailand. Amongst other products and services they are promoting, Elite Yachting will be showing the well-presented Nautitech 40.

“The attraction of multihulls is obvious. Phuket and surrounds lends itself to multihull cruising, both sail and power, and the charter potential for owners is huge making a multihull purchase more than a lifestyle investment but one that can deliver a tangible ROI,” added Mr. Dowden.

For more information, visit www.phuketboatshow.com.

Fountaine Pajot Flagship Victoria 67 is being displayed by Multihull Solutions at the 2016 Phuket International Boat Show