In the YATCO Yacht Builders series, YATCO interviews leading industry shipyards and builders for insight into clients, trends in yacht market, and challenges facing the yachting world, the ethos of the shipyard. Founded by entrepreneur and yachtsman Alexey Mikhailov in 2007, Bering Yachts offers owners a wide range of expedition vessels from 19m to 55m (62ft – 180ft).
In this interview, YATCO speaks with Bogdan Gusarev, European Sales Director of Bering Yachts.
Interview with Bogdan Gusarev of Bering Yachts
Please tell us about your personal background, how long you have been at the company and what your role is.
I moved to Monaco in 2015 to pursue my yachting career in the capital of yachting. I joined Bering Yachts for the first time in 2018 and rejoined in January 2021. Now I am running the sales office in Monaco for the company, which oversees the European sales.
What is the ethos and/or mission of the shipyard? How would you say that sets you apart from others in the industry?
Bering is a shipbuilder specializing in constructing capable explorer yachts between 20m – 45m (65ft – 147ft). The founder of the company has a background in the commercial fishing industry so he understands how vessels on the sea can behave in serious weather conditions and passes his knowledge on to our vessels. This expertise means that the owner can stay on board for an extended time. Bering Yachts sets itself apart by taking the quality, standards, comfort, and safety features from larger yachts to the under 24m size segment. Also, Bering builds yachts in two locations, namely Turkey and Bulgaria, which brings the competitive price advantage to the vessels as well.
Can you describe a ‘typical’ client? What are their priorities?
Usually, our clients are hands-on people, with vast sea experience. Our clients prefer function and safety over design and chose our yachts because of the serious quality construction approach, as well as our focus on building explorer, live-aboard vessels.
Usually, our clients are hands-on people, with vast sea experience. Our clients prefer function and safety over design.
Are you seeing any emerging trends from owners that are influencing the design and use of yachts?
Our clients tend to use and pilot the yachts themselves – they prefer to be surrounded and supported by family and friends. Also, the size of the tender and the onboard storage spaces are important to clients, because of their preference for extended cruising. Finally, our customers do not want to burn lots of fuel and prefer to own vessels that have efficient hull shapes and burn significantly less than semi-planing or planing yachts.
Our clients tend to use and pilot the yachts themselves – they prefer to be surrounded and supported by family and friends.
As a builder, what would you like to see change in the industry?
The standards of yacht building should overall be higher, as there are many yards building their vessels to minimum standards. On the contrary, Bering Yachts builds even the smallest yachts compliant to class, meaning that we fulfill a handbook of safety standards that lets the owner’s family enjoy the vessel to the maximum.
What challenges do shipyards and builders face, and how have you overcome these?
Since the pandemic, supply chain issues have become a challenge. We need to be more reactive and have alternative contacts to fill the gap with shortages or other bottlenecks.
Do you have any predictions for how the market will evolve in the next decade?
The explorer market is growing rapidly. I believe we will eventually overtake the other yacht types due to the capabilities, safety, comfort, and fuel efficiency. Bering Yachts build no-nonsense boats.
The explorer market is growing rapidly. I believe we will eventually overtake the other yacht types due to the capabilities, safety, comfort, and fuel efficiency.
What is your favorite yacht and why?
My favorite vessel is the Bering B80. She is the largest vessel below 24m in her category, offering a very appealing layout, combined with the capabilities of cruising the seven seas on her own, thanks to her 4000l fuel tank and 7000nm range.
