FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 13, 2024  

Bali Catamarans Join Exhibiting Fleet At The 1st Virgin Islands Boating Exhibition (VIBE) –  May 10 -12, 2024, Yacht Haven Grande St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands

St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands. Experience the new 2.0 version of a yacht buying show at the first-annual Virgin Islands Boating Exhibition (VIBE). Set for May 10-12, 2024, at Yacht Haven Grande St. Thomas, in the U.S. Virgin Islands and organized by the Virgin Islands Professional Charter Association (VIPCA), this destination-style show offers an opportunity to test sail the latest model yachts in what Caribbean Journal called the ‘Hottest Yachting Destination in the Caribbean’ in 2021. What’s more, VIBE combines this with a boutique-quality vibe and all the elements of a world-class vacation – award-winning accommodations, a curated Food & Wine Experience, and the best of U.S. Virgin Islands’ cultural entertainment. Meet us this week at the Miami International Boat Show to learn more. Or register now to exhibit (vibe.vi/exhibitors/) or attend (vibe.vi/attend/)! This bucket-list boat-buying getaway is built around the show’s stars – iconic yachts from Bali Catamarans, as well as Lagoon, Fountaine Pajot, Azimut, and Boston Whaler to name a few.

Photo: Bali 5.4 on the dock at Yacht Haven Grande St. Thomas. Courtesy Mango Media

“There is a place and time for everything, and with very strong support by the USVI Department of Tourism at a moment in history when the U.S. Virgin Islands is leading the Caribbean not only as a travel destination but as a yachting destination, we know that VIBE 2024 is the beginning of something big in boat shows. Whether attending as a guest or exhibitor, we’ve curated VIBE to bring you what you deserve, that is a high-end luxury experience,” says VIBE Director and VIPCA Executive Director, Oriel Blake.

Bali’s on Display

Three Bali Catamarans – the 5.4, 4.8, and 4.6 – featured by Hollywood, Florida-headquartered Catamaran Guru, will join the exhibiting fleet of yachts for sale including a full range of Lagoons, a selection of Fountaine Pajots, plus Azumits, and Boston Whalers to name a few. The Bali 5.4 earned Multihull of the Year in 2019 by Multihulls World magazine and its French-language counterpart, Multicoques Mag. In 2021, the editors at SAIL magazine in their ‘The Latest in Multihull Design’ article dubbed the Bali 4.8 ‘a great vacation choice when on charter’. The 4.6 was in the running for Cruising World’s Boat of the Year award for 2022.

“Bali Catamarans are a forward-thinking design with open space in mind,” says Stephen Cockcroft, co-founder of Catamaran Guru with wife Estelle, and the company’s exclusive buyers’ broker and large catamaran specialist. “The tilting rear door allows for maximum space either when you want to have open cockpit space and the largest living space when the weather is bad, and the door is down. Bali also has a solid foredeck with a door at the front to access it. This forward space is unmatched by any other brand. Flybridges are also large with lots of seating and usable space.”

Bali Catamarans is a 2014-launched brand of cruising catamaran built and sold by the Catana Group, a Canet-en-Roussillon, France-headquartered company founded in 1984.

The U.S. Virgin Islands offers a business-friendly environment for buying and selling yachts, thanks to its use of the U.S. dollar, U.S. banking institutions, and exclusive tax incentives. With no sales tax and duty-free allowances for vendors, the territory provides favorable conditions for conducting yacht transactions. Additionally, the well-established and highly successful charter industry in the USVI presents opportunities to speak directly with local company representatives about purchasing a vessel for income-producing crewed charters.

Boutique Hotel to Stay

The Pink Palm is one of the newest small hotels in the heart of historic Charlotte Amalie and within walking distance of VIBE. This year, the 27-room property with a rooftop pool overlooking the yachts in the harbor picked up three impressive kudos. The first is a listing on The Cool List: The Coolest Hotels in the Caribbean for 2024, and the second is being named Best Boutique Hotel in St. Thomas, USVI, both by Caribbean Journal. The third is a coveted listing on National Geographic’s Best of the World hotels list for 2024, one of only 22 awe-inspiring accommodations.

“Nestled in a unique location and proudly standing as the only boutique hotel in St. Thomas that boasts uniquely well-appointed rooms with modern amenities, our establishment offers a stay that goes beyond the ordinary. Our intimate and personalized approach ensures that every moment of your tour is tailored to perfection, making your experience truly exceptional,” says Brent Pelton, owner and CEO, and founder of American Beech Hospitality, based in Greenpoint, New York.

The Pink Palm Hotel is offering a 20% discount on room rates for VIBE. When booking, use the promotional code: VIBE2024. To book, visit vibe.vi/accommodations/.

Additional preferred lodgings providers for VIBE 2024, which are offering room discounts, include some of St. Thomas’ top hotels and resorts such as the Westin Beach Resort & Spa at Frenchman’s Reef; The Ritz-Carlton, St. Thomas; Margaritaville Vacation Club St. Thomas; and Bluebeards.

Learn About VIBE Booth or Berth Booking Opportunities at MIBS

Sarah O’Leary, Exhibit Coordinator at VIBE, will be attending the Miami International Boat Show (MIBS) from February 14 to 18.

“I’m thrilled to share the excitement of the upcoming VIBE show with the major yacht brands and marine businesses eager to exhibit to a highly targeted audience. As a destination boat show, VIBE presents the unique opportunity to showcase the latest models and most desired yachts and wares to educated and focused buyers. There just couldn’t be a better venue than in St. Thomas, the gateway to America’s paradise and the world’s best cruising grounds!” says O’Leary. 

Additionally, VIBE ambassadors will be attending the Miami International Boat Show (MIBS) from February 14 to 18 and are available to provide more information about the show. These include in-water exhibitors Bali Catamarans, Lagoon, and Fountaine Pajot, all with booths at the Museum Park Marina; Azimut, at Superyacht Miami at Yacht Haven Grande Miami; and Boston Whaler, at the Miami Beach Convention Center.

To schedule a meeting or informal meet-up with O’Leary or a VIBE ambassador, Text/WhatsApp: 340-642-0656 or email exhibit@vibe.vi.

Book Now!

Manufacturers, dealers, and brokers are invited to exhibit their latest sailing yachts and powerboats for purchase or charter or to exhibit their marine vendor business that serves yachting enthusiasts. Attendees will feel the ‘vibe’ of every exhibiting marine vendor, by not only visiting their booth or tent and meeting the team, but by actively learning about products or services during VIBE’s in-water test sails and land display scheduled demos, workshops, and seminars. Exhibitor space is varied between the air-conditioned floating Harbor360 expo building, booths at the marina, and tented booths ashore throughout the many event spaces. To exhibit at VIBE or become a sponsor contact exhibit@vibe.vi. For more information, visit vibe.vi/exhibitors/

Attendees can buy tickets to attend VIBE 2024 today! A one-day General Admission ticket is only $49, which includes marina access for yacht viewings and all Expo event areas. Children under the age of 12 enter for free. Or go for a 4-Day VIP Admission ticket for $399 per person. This includes the Opening Ceremony, priority yacht viewing for the three-day show, the Food & Wine Experience, plus champagne on arrival and VIP Lounge access. Add-ons include a $55 fee per day to participate in the Food & Wine Experience. For more information, visit vibe.vi/attend/

For more information on VIBE 2024, visit www.vibe.vi.

For information about the Virgin Islands Professional Charter Association (VIPCA) visit www.vipca.org

ABOUT VIPCA

VIPCA is the territory’s non-profit marine association, whose purpose is to preserve, protect, and promote the charter yacht sector of the U.S. Virgin Islands marine industry and the businesses that sustain them. VIPCA’s focus is multi-faceted and includes offering membership benefits such as access to health insurance; sharing pertinent, timely industry updates and compliance guidance; producing a Marine Directory; promoting USVI marine charter tourism; liaising with USVI, BVI, and PR to assist in cooperative efforts; seeking relevant official rulings from Customs and Border Protection (CBP); developing USVI marine infrastructure, including installation of vessel moorings now available at BoatyBall.com; and providing marine vocational training for USVI youth under VIPCA’s charity, the Marine Rebuild Fund, which is fiscally sponsored by CFVI.net. VIPCA hosts two annual yacht shows, the USVI Charter Yacht Show at www.usviyachtshow.org and the Virgin Islands Boating Expo at www.vibe.vi. www.VIPCA.org

Media Contact:

Carol Bareuther

VIBE Media

Tel: 340-998-3650

Email: press@vibe.vi

Skype: Carol.Bareuther