Tag: Christine Carpenter

Giuseppina Arena

Guiseppina Arena, naval architect and interior designer for the Ferretti Group, shares about her history in naval architecture and her passion to create the perfect boat for each client.

 

SB: How did you become an interior designer and become interested in yachts?

GA: I studied architecture at the University of Florence, where I received my license in architecture. After completing my thesis on the main theatre of the Grand Princess, I received my Masters degree in Italy for Yacht Design, where I studied yacht architecture. Giacomo Mortola of GEM Studio in Genova is the naval architect of Princess Cruises, and he offered me a job with his company. I worked five years designing the interiors of beautiful cruise ships, in addition to working for several shipyards in the world.

SB: I have seen the custom design and style you produce for customers of Ferretti, specifically on Bertram. What is the process of taking a design idea and turning it into a yacht?

SB: If a client owns a boat or is ordering a new one I work directly with him. The first step is to understand his needs, which starts with his preferred layout. The second step is to work on the hard décor: choosing the wood for the furniture, defining the typical detail—the lighting, the floor, the wall covering—all the materials. Then I move on to choices for soft décor. Both hard and soft décor have a very important role in obtaining the right atmosphere for each specific area on a client’s boat.

SB: What is your favorite part of the interior design process, and your design project to date?

GA: My favorite step is choosing the materials. I am always trying to find new products and materials never before used in the marine world to create a unique boat for each specific client. My favorite boat I have designed is the Pershing 115.

SB: What are some of your signature styles and features that set you apart from other interior designers and decorators in the marine world?

GA: I like clean spaces that are very elegant yet comfortable, and I pay careful attention when I choose the primary materials. I like to use very high quality, and I am extremely picky with the little details because I want my clients to have the highest quality in our boats. I also don’t use many colors. I like colors only for accents that give personality and feature the neutral, chic spaces.

SB: How has your design for Ferretti progressed most significantly in the last 10 years? What are some of the most noted changes?

GA: In the last 10 years the quality and the technology have improved a lot in the way we build our yachts. The most significant research was to create a better connection between the interiors and the exteriors of the boat with balconies, bigger windows, improved space of the interiors, and the overall livability in our Ferretti line. Our Pershing designs specifically improved the performance, sport and aggressive style using innovative materials.

SB: How do you see interior design in yachts evolving over the next few years?

GA: I think the design of boat and yacht interiors is [and will continue to be] more and more customer-oriented. Also, the customization of interiors starts at a lower range—like 50 to 60 feet—, which offers more affordable luxury. Years ago this was not common, but now shipyards and manufacturers realize it is important for customers to have custom or semi-custom boats. Even if they start with a smaller boat, it is not unusual for them to upgrade over the years, which creates loyal customers.

SB: Have you seen technology play a role in the advancement of design in your field? If so, in which ways?

GA: Of course! Nowadays, high technology becomes one of the first requests of the clients when deciding to buy a new boat, especially if it is customized. They require everything controlled by iPod or iPhone among other mobile, hands-free devices. I actually designed a boat where all the cabinet doors were controlled by a re-programmable bracelet.

SB: Have your designs received any specific recognitions or awards?

GA: I was given an award for my design of a fast patrol boat for the law enforcement agency Guardia di Finanza in Italy. I was working for a shipyard that produced military boats and speedboats, which was very interesting!

SB: Where and what type of boating/fishing do you enjoy personally? Do you own a boat?

GA: I prefer speed when I’m boating—it gives me adrenaline. I would like to one day buy a fast boat—I’m not sure which make yet—to name it Ginger after the first Catamaran I designed. Designing boats is my passion and I am so happy that my job permits me to create a new experience for clients on the water each time. If they are happy and love their experience on the water, I reached my goal.

By Christine Carpenter, Southern Exposure May 2014

Andy Sturner

Andy Sturner, CEO of BoatSetter, shares why he loves his job and how he believes BoatSetter is making positive waves in the marine industry.


SB: What sets BoatSetter apart from other competitors in the field? How has it accomplished this and how will it continue to do so?

AS: First and foremost, our management team is comprised of seasoned veterans with decades of marine industry, tech and rental car experience. We recognize that trust dynamics are very different with boats than with houses and cars. We are the first peer-to-peer marketplace that makes boat rentals accessible to consumers regardless of their boating experience. Our captain-centric approach helps foster trust and provides the broadest boating access possible by allowing anyone to enjoy a great experience on the water even if they have no prior experience.

SB: How has the company developed and changed over the years?

AS: We are a new company (founded in March 2013) and just launched our service this year. Since March 2013, we have established a national network of marina owners and operators with some of the most well-respected names in the industry including Loggerhead Marinas, Marinas International, Flagship Marinas, Morningstar Marinas, Suntex Marinas, Almar Marinas, and Aquamarina facilities.

SB: What attracted you to work for BoatSetter? Can you tell me a few things that specifically ignite passion and excitement about your job?

AS: Our industry is at a crossroads—powerboat sales peaked in 1988 and have been on a downward trend ever since. In the same time, despite sales volume dropping, nearly 80 percent of dollar volumes are up, indicating over four-fold increase in price. Compound the aging of boat fleets with an aging boat ownership population (two times as many owners over 65 than there are under 40), and a drop in utilization to 20 days per year on average, and you can see that our industry needs to address access and affordability. At BoatSetter, we are creating a business that helps address these challenges and creates virtuous circles for our marine industry partners.

SB: What are you most proud of accomplishing as CEO of BoatSetter?

AS: The team that I have built. We have assembled a team of incredibly passionate and talented people that extends beyond our management team to our investors, advisers and marine industry partners.

SB: What do you love most about what you do?

AS: Providing great experiences on the water. The joy that our customers experience is the most rewarding part of my job!

SB: How has BoatSetter made a difference in the marine industry? I would love to hear specific examples of how you believe it has enriched mariners’ experience on the water.

AS: We help boat owners subsidize their cost of ownership. By providing a way to make boating more affordable and creating the right incentives for them to properly maintain their vessels, we are improving the quality of their boating lifestyle, which positively impacts the marine industry.

SB: What should we expect to see from your company in this upcoming year?

AS: We will be rolling out our service around the country and entering into more marine industry partnerships that will help accelerate our business plan.

SB: What is a product or two you would recommend for cruisers? Why?

AS: I would recommend the TidalWavez app from the Apple App Store. It is the first social media application for boaters and boating participants. It’s a lot of fun!

SB: Has BoatSetter won any awards? If so, please tell me about them.

AS: Yes, “Best Startup” at the Super Conference in Miami.

SB: Are you involved in any outside marine organizations?

AS: I am on the legislative board of the Association of Marine Industries.

SB: How involved in the boating and marine community are you? Do you own a boat yourself? If so, what is the name and what do you love the most about being a mariner?

AS: I am extremely involved in the boating and marine communities. Through Aqua Marine Partners, I own a portfolio of marinas on the East Coast of the United States and am actively involved in all aspects of our community. I have been a mariner for 30-plus years boating on the Long Island Sound and the lakes of Pennsylvania. I have owned a number of boats in my life—my first, the Net Escape was a SeaRay 27 Sundancer that paid homage to my early Internet startup days using the Netscape logo as the design. I owned Options, my 38 Sundancer and several Formula boats including Hull #1 of the 47 Motor Yacht. I am now an avid BoatSetter user and will live rest of my boating life in high style.

By Christine Carpenter, Southern Exposure April 2014

Palm Beach, Florida

Palm Beach, Florida, has been built on its exclusivity and made famous as the indulgent stomping grounds of the “One Percenters.” Just across the Flagler Bridge over the ICW from West Palm Beach this ritzy four-square-mile island has been preserved and celebrated for over 100 years. Perfectly manicured landscapes and Queen Palms line streets named Cherry Lane or Angler Avenue. With easy access to three notable marinas this is a cruiser haven for the likes of those who crave luxury, history and all things fine—even for those of us in the 99 percent group. But it’s when you discover who and what lies behind the prestige of this illustrious island sprinkled with decadent eateries, high-end designer shops and magnificent mansions that Palm Beach leaves a lasting impression.

In 1892, Henry Flagler shifted his focus from Standard Oil to establish this lush coastal area—at the time known as Lake Worth—into a high-end resort town for Northerners. He immediately had investors support the construction of hotels, residences and shops, soon referred to as Palm Beach Island. His expansion of the Florida East Coast Railway tracks provided easy access, and soon the South Florida shore bustled with antsy vacationers—it hasn’t stopped since.

Palm Beach’s rich history is as deep as the checkbooks that frequent Worth Avenue, and while the authentic feel of the posh, resort glamour is preserved, nowadays it adapts to the individual lifestyles of its guests. While it is still geared toward the fortunate few who can treat Worth Avenue as a playground, even the most modest cruiser will enjoy the sightseeing, history, dining, and activities offered on this island that’s bordered by a peach and white scalloped seawall to guard against the Atlantic’s waves.

Today, many visitors grace Palm Beach’s picturesque shores by boat. Two full-service ports––Rybovich Marina and Palm Harbor Marina—are located on North Flagler Drive in the ICW on the West side of “The Island.” Near the heart of both downtown West Palm Beach and historic Palm Beach, these two harbors are just steps away from all the shops, restaurants, beaches, and activities the area is known for. A stone’s throw north of The Island across the Palm Beach Inlet is Sailfish Marina. Don’t miss their weekend breakfast buffet (served 8AM-1PM) with fresh, local seafood. Sailfish Marina is a short boat ride to Peanut Island, a popular place to beach your boat for a sunny day of barbeque and bevvies.

Once your boat is safely docked, start exploring this one-of-a-kind beachfront resort town at the Breakers Palm Beach Hotel (known as the Palm Beach Inn in Flagler’s era) and Flagler’s private home, Whitehall, which is open to the public year-round as the Flagler Museum. The Breakers Palm Beach captures an authentic Italian-Renaissance feel and is set directly on one of the coast’s softest sand beaches. Stunning architectural elegance is displayed throughout each corner of the resort and everywhere you look solidifies why it has been in a class of its own among North American luxury resorts for many years. Even if you plan to stay on your boat, treat yourself to an afternoon exploring the Breakers’ gardens, courtyards, restaurants, and spas.

The Flagler Museum is a mega-mansion from the Gilded Age, with an extravagant double-staircase entry cloaked in floor-to-ceiling marble. Elaborate décor, flourishing courtyards, expansive rooms, and authentic memorabilia are all on display. On a warm, sunny day—the norm in Palm Beach—enjoy a bike ride on the Lake Trail to discover the secluded shops and beautiful homes hidden behind lush landscapes. The Society of the Four Arts sculpture garden on Cocoanut Drive is the perfect spot for a picnic and a short walk from the white sand beaches. Phipps Ocean Park has unspoiled snorkeling waters, R. G. Kreusler Park is another perfect picnic setting, and Flagpole Beach is ideal for sunbathing, shell collecting and kite surfing when the wind is just right. The beaches on Palm Beach are different from other tourist areas—you won’t find bars or restaurants fronting them—and are most famous for their pristine sand and seclusion. But that doesn’t mean you won’t be amply entertained. In addition to snorkeling you’ll find kayaking, parasailing, surfing, and jet skiing.

Prepare to be awed as you walk along Worth Avenue’s impressive storefronts, including Brooks Brothers, Gucci, Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Vineyard Vines, and Tiffany’s & Co.––to name a handful. This street displays the type of style, charm and sophistication that earned its reputation as one of the most beautiful and lavish shopping venues in the country. Bentleys, Rolls Royces and Maybachs line the streets, which give way to dozens of lantern-lit alleyways leading to courtyards and secret gardens with European-style restaurants and unique boutiques.

In the heart of Downtown West Palm Beach—just a two-minute drive across Flagler Bridge—is Cityplace, an open-air plaza reminiscent of a European town center. Over 80 shops are tucked inside dramatic Mediterranean architecture––some major retailers and specialty boutiques––each a little more reasonable than the high-end shops on Worth Avenue. The many restaurants feature enough delicious options to satisfy nearly any craving on any budget. As the afternoon turns into evening, swap your iced latte for cocktails. Couples on date nights walk the plaza hand-in-hand while the palm trees light up and the fountains dance to lights and music. Families young and old also frequent Cityplace’s cobblestone sidewalks in hopes of an extra-special treat at Sloan’s Ice Cream and Confections––a South Florida native that turns every sugary fantasy into reality. If you’re looking for entertainment, the Improv Comedy Club, Muvico’s IMAX theater, or the brand-new bowling alley with bar and grill, Revolutions, might do the trick. For something more quaint, take a horsedrawn carriage ride along the twinkling plaza as live bands play at the Blue Martini or BB King’s Blues Club.

If you’re cruising as a couple or the kids are already tucked into bed, Clematis Street is a busy strip known for its eclectic bars and restaurants, and bustling nightlife. Bring your dancing shoes and a little liquid courage for one of the many nightclubs, or grab a slice of pizza from City Girls Pizza and savor a low-key evening swinging on the waterfront benches as the shimmering lights reflect from the many mega-yachts berthed in the ICW harbors. Look across the water to see Mar-a-Lago, Donald Trump’s Palm Beach digs.

For an upscale evening, enjoy dinner at The Palm Beach Grille on Royal Poinciana Way––don’t skip appetizers or dessert; the fire-grilled artichokes and hot fudge sundae take center stage. Afterward, sit front and center for a show at the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts—it’s home to the Palm Beach Opera and welcomes a variety of musicians, orchestras, Broadway shows, and plays each month.

Palm Beachers delight in this world-class escape that allows visitors to experience the ultimate lifestyle of beachfront living at its finest. The pristine shores treat you to the luxury, history and entertainment only this unique coastal gem offers. Once you cruise the waters and walk the streets you’ll understand why The Island has been famous for over a century. I won’t be a bit surprised if you plan a return engagement.

 

By Christine Carpenter, Southern Boating March 2014

Brett Fitzgerald

Executive Director of the Snook & Gamefish Foundation, Brett Fitzgerald, explains the concept of Ales for Anglers and shares easy ways to contribute to waterway conservation while keeping track of your good days on the water.


SB: Please tell me about the Snook & Gamefish Foundation and describe how it aids the fishing and boating community.

BF: The Snook & Gamefish Foundation began as a fundraiser for MOTE marine laboratory in Sarasota, Florida, but shifted its focus to raising awareness for anglers rather than strictly raising funds for NOAA. Today it partners with mariners and anglers by laterally transmitting info from them straight to NOAA via the Angler Action Program. The personal logs of boaters and fishermen directly aids the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission (FWC) in its pursuit to better maintain the waterways each mariner uses. The Snook & Gamefish Foundation acts as a liaison between waterway conservation and human use to leave our waters in a better state than they are now for our future generations.

SB: In what ways do the personal logs of mariners and anglers directly partner with NOAA?

BF: The Snook & Gamefish Foundation has created the Angler Action Program, which is a data collection database where users log their trip information, which is used for state-level stock assessments. It allows mariners and anglers to be personally involved, and creates ownership in waterway management. The information logged by the anglers is used by the government to set laws, and the immediate, accurate reports helps avoid overfishing, but also doesn’t punish anglers with unnecessary closures or restrictions. It also helps us identify where habitats are damaged or water quality is poor, in which cases our foundation and NOAA can intervene to positively impact the boating experience across the board—whether you are fishing, diving, snorkeling, etc.

SB: Tell me more about the upcoming Ales for Anglers event March 29th in Boca Raton, Florida. How did the Snook & Gamefish Foundation become involved and what was the process of turning this concept into reality?

BF: Well it all started with a conversation I had with Sally, owner of BX Beer Depot in Lake Worth, Florida, last December. I love good beer as much as I love being on the water and Sally shared my sentiments. We were discussing how “beer fests” are kind of stressful now—packed with crowds rushing from vendor to vendor to get their money’s worth—and to me, a craft beer festival isn’t about rushing; it’s about enjoying. I basically said, ‘Someone should have an event like this …’ and I described a Florida-brew-only festival with live music and minimal crowds, and Sally added that she had the beer connections but she just needed a charitable organization to benefit. ‘I have a charitable organization!’ I piped in, and thus Ales for Anglers was born.

By the end of that night, we had a plan to combine local home-brews and talented Florida musicians to raise awareness and funds for the Snook & Gamefish Foundation, along with a handful of other noteworthy marine groups. Today, with the festival only a few weeks away, we have 10 environmental non-profit organizations with booths at the event, over 100 volunteers, and no promoters—making this a real grassroots community event. Although, I did have a woman from Germany call because she couldn’t buy a ticket online; I told her I would reserve one for her at the door … who would’ve expected that!

SB: How did you and your team choose the musicians and craft brews that will headline?

BF: We are featuring breweries from all over Florida’s coast—Pensacola, Jacksonville, Fort Lauderdale, and Due South in Boynton Beach has been overwhelmingly helpful, as many others have. They are all very excited to participate, as many live near the water. JJ Grey is a performer from Jacksonville who has a huge following, and he is on the board of our foundation. He was thrilled to help our cause and pair his musical influence with a great marine charity. Rock Brothers Brewery is a company that brings brewers together with musicians to create a “celebrity beer” and is featuring a “JJ beer” at the event, which will be really unique. We are going to have a lot of exclusive offerings like that, which should attract a decent crowd to relax and also learn more about what goes on underneath the water we all love.

SB: What are your personal hopes or expectations for the event’s inaugural year?

BF: First, I hope it becomes an annual event. Second, I want people to leave with a smile on their faces. Third, I want people who come for one thing to leave loving another thing. For example, if someone comes because they love craft brews, I want them to leave loving the musicians they saw and recognizing the importance of waterway conservation. I’m also really hoping not to lose money and to provide a comfortable, enjoyable environment. I’m very passionate about promoting today’s angler as the “conservation-oriented angler” and I hope our foundation and the 10 other non-profits at the event will encourage people to become passionate, also.

SB: What do you think participants of the Ales for Anglers event can expect? Are you excited for anything in particular?

BF: On the beer side of things, I think people should expect some incredibly unique and tasty choices. I really encourage everyone to come at the beginning for the free home-brew sampling at 2:30, because these aren’t amateurs brewing in their garage; these are brewers on the verge of breaking into the business, and they have well-crafted offerings made uniquely for this event and the cause it serves. I also think everyone should expect to be blown away by the musicians. They each have something really diverse to offer and JJ is one of the best, most engaged performers I’ve ever seen. I am excited for people to learn about the benefits of waterway and ecosystem conservation, and the balance between activity (whether boating or fishing or watersports, etc.) and conservation efforts. Most people think you either have to be a tree-hugger or an active mariner, but they really go hand-in-hand.

SB: How can boat owners become involved with the Snook & Gamefish Foundation and/or Ales for Anglers? Also, is there a way for individuals who are passionate about the water but do not own a boat to get involved?

BF: Boat owners who also like to fish (which is a large majority in the South)—no matter how frequently or infrequently—can immediately get involved by logging their boat trips on our Angler Action Program through the Snook & Gamefish Foundation’s website. A boater can input tides, weather, moon phases, sunsets, catches, and anything else about their trip to keep a personal log. It acts as a powerful tool that helps boaters (mainly fishermen) become more efficient, while also aiding in vital fishery information that the government and organizations use on a daily basis.

SB: How often do you frequent the water? Do you own a boat? If so, what is the name and make?

BF: I own a skiff boat and I try to fish and dive off it as much as I can with my wife and kids, but we boat more than anything else. We just enjoy days on the water together and try to make it out there as much as possible. We also love to charter boats or rent a pontoon on a lake, and we make it our family mission to visit as many places in and around Florida’s waters as possible. We are looking forward to lots of boating this summer!

SB: What is one of your fondest memories or favorite stories working for the Snook & Gamefish Foundation?

BF: I give a lot of talks and seminars about what we do and why we do it, and afterward people always share their personal fishing stories, which I enjoy. I think my favorite part is meeting the children who are positively impacted and see them connect with their parents through time on the water together. I also enjoy experiencing the paradigm of what a responsible fisherman and woman is, and I am proud of today’s anglers and boating community.

By Christine Carpenter, Southern Exposure March 2014

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