Technology, design and freedom. They are some of the key concepts on which the Swedish manufacturer Agapi base their work since the foundation of the company back in 2006. Just over a week ago we were able to witness first hand the presentation for the first time in Mallorca of one of their creations: the Agapi 750. It is a light RHIB (Rigid-hulled inflatable boat), that successfully combines the carbon technology and Scandinavian design.
The Hotel Portixol in Palma was the chosen venue to present the Agapi Center and the Balearic Sailing Brothers. A large group of invitees came to the event, amongst them entrepreneurs, sailing enthusiasts and media. Agapi was represented by the CEO and co-founder Peder Asplund, and Alejandra Levinas, owner and co-founder of the company. The president of the Nautical Trade Association in the Balearic Islands, (AENIB), Margarita Dahlberg, attended the event to show the association´s support for the entrepreneurial spirit of the Sailing Brothers.
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| Peder Asplun, Margarita Dahlberg, Alejandra Lavinas and Carlos Samblás. |
On behalf of AENIB, we got in touch with Carlos Samblás, from Sailing Brothers, to find out more about Agapi 750 and Carlos´ plans for the future with the Scandinavian company.
Agapi is a relative newcomer (it was founded in 2006) and therefore quite unknown in our latitudes. What inspired you you to bring Agapi to Spain?
Agapi represents something completely new in boating, encompassing much more than the boat itself. The philosophy of Agapi is based on freedom and simplicity in all of the aspects of navigation. No concept will work without an excellent product and primarily, the Agapi series (with the 750 launched in 2013 and the 950 ready to launch in October 2014) represent a new type of boat with a unique combination of qualities. The Agapi 750 was awarded the titles for the "Boat of the Year" and the "Choice of the Public" in 2013 in Sweden thanks to these qualities.
Agapi has four key selling propositions, that are based on a Swedish innovation combining design and construction techniques, where a lot of emphasis has been placed on weight.
1) Swedish design, where form and function work in harmony. The boat doesn´t have wooden fixtures that require specific maintenance, instead it is full of intelligent solutions - a boat that can be used by any family member and that meets a wide range of demands, from comfort, functionality, utility for water sports, etc. It works equally well in 35 degree heat offering areas of both sun and shade thanks to a targa top, as well as in the Scandinavian cold as it is equipped with an awning that covers the cockpit completely.
2) A unique combination of performance and fuel efficiency. Agapi has the "greenest" profile of the family orientated performance vessels on the market. Compared to the majority of the competition, Agapi consumes approximately 30-50% less fuel. We believe this is going to be one of the deciding factors for the environmentally conscious new generation of boaters. This aspect is likely to be important in the Balearics, given the long range of Agapi, enabling secure and cost-effective navigation between the islands.
3) Agapi is based on a concept of RHIB (but not a traditional RHIB), which gives excellent performance when it comes to speed, security, simplicity and user comfort. All these aspects are extremely relevant in the Balearic Islands given the surrounding open seas. With a RHIB one is always safe! The hull of Agapi was designed by one of the most renowned designers in Sweden, Håkan Södergren. The boats are a real pleasure to use.
4) The fourth proposition, the light weight of the boat results in a unique mobility, and saves costs when it comes to winter storage, service and manhandling of the boat. Given the low weight, the Agapi boats are ideal to be towed on a trailer, even the 950 (at around 33 feet) an be easily towed behind a big SUV. This gives a unique opportunity to move around with the Agapi and to explore new grounds. For the rest of Europe this is a very important aspect, giving an unforeseen freedom to navigate in new areas.
Apart from the boat itself, the Agapi concept includes everything that a forward looking boat owner needs today:
1) Modern technology. A new way to operate a boat where simplicity and modern technology make both the planning of the trip as well as the hands on operation of the boat a real pleasure. Every Agapi is equipped with an iPad that includes an Agapi App to make all aspects of navigation easier:
a) every owner is given an online password to access the documentation of his/her boat (stored in a cloud) and video manuals and tutorials how to operate the Agapi.
b) the iPad comes with a modern and easy-to-use navigation system (Swedish Seapilot), which replaces the costly plotters.
c) additionally, the music system and radio of Agapi can be operated through the iPad, and the device includes even an anti-theft alarm and notification to the owner directly.
d) the iPad includes also many other applications that are easy to use, for example what to do in case of emergency etc.
2) Shared ownership. Agapi has introduced shared ownership and is convinced that with time owning a boat moves more to this direction, giving more freedom for the owners.
3) Agapi World. Focus on freedom and variety of experiences has inspired the introduction of "Agapi World", where Agapi owners can exchange and rent Agapis in other markets, thus creating a completely new dimension of freedom for boating enthusiasts. Why limit oneself to using the boat only in the Balearic Islands, when it is possible to to move around with the Agapi concept and go to sea in Croatia, Venice or Stockholm?
Which models of Agapi are available to your clients?
Our clients can acquire various types of vessels, amongst them the Agapi 750 with outboard or inboard engine and the 950 with inboard engine.
Changing the subject, we are in the middle of the high season. Judging by the reports in the press, it seems that the situation is getting better this year. Have you noticed an improvement in the charter activity?
Yes, we believe there are lot more clients around this year, although the companies that we work with on the islands it is not so noticeable because of the competition. Right now there are a lot of companies operating in the sector, above all foreign ones which are difficult to compete against as they capture the client already in the country of origin.
This year there have been various important legislative changes for the nautical charter, for example the exemption of the Matriculation Tax for charter yachts. How do you think these changes will affect the future of the sector?
We see it as a positive development, but maybe not for the existing companies. Now anybody has the possibility to register his/her yacht on the "6th List (commercial registry), which will multiply the available boats and charter companies.
Sailing Brothers is an international company that is familiar with the reality of charter in countries like Greece and Croatia and in the Caribbean. In your opinion, what kind of opportunities do our islands offer for the nautical tourism, and what weaknesses we have and should correct in comparison to other destinations?
The only difference we see as positive when working on our islands is the security one feels when navigating in these waters and the beauty of the coastline. In other destinations it is possible to find more untouched areas though, and the prices are not so high, neither when chartering the boat, nor when using other services. The uncontrolled growth of the nautical tourism has elevated the prices excessively in some cases.
To finish off this interview we would like you to tell a little about yourself and your company. Where does your passion for the sea originate from, and how was your company Sailing Brothers born?
My passion for the sea comes from the childhood, I grew up "at sea" with my father and friends. From early on one of my favourite pastimes were underwater fishing and water sports in general, and I have never lost contact with these activities. Sailing Brothers was born from a dream of two friends to start a different charter company, which would allow us to dedicate our lives to our passion. For two years already we have put all our energy into this enterprise, and hope to be doing it for years to come!
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