The Boat Princess Podcast

The Boat Princess
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In this series, Nicky shares her valuable insight and experiences about Boating, Yachting,the Boating Lifestyle and working in the Boating Industry. With a personal goal to engage more people in the industry and see more women behind the helm, in her intro you’ll get to know and love the Boat Princess as we do. She interviews interesting and entertaining guests from all aspects of the boating industry from superyachts to marinas, from entrepreneurs to CEO’s, all with fascinating stories, plus some incredible high achieving women in boating like Kay Cottee the first woman to perform a single handed, non-stop and unassisted circulation of the world and Lisa Blair the record holder for Antarctica’s circumnavigation. We are excited to welcome Nicky Vaux to the Podcast world. Introducing Nicky might take a while to scan through her many achievements, accolades and acknowledgements. You can follow Nicky and live vicariously through her instagram @theboatprincess or see her website www.theboatprincess.com for details on how to collaborate your brand with her, be interviewed on the podcast, have her video or review a boat for you or join her at one of her amazing events. Nicky is a Partner of Empire Marinas Group, owners of Empire Marina Bobbin Head, Sydney’s most awarded marina and Empire Marina Lake Macquarie, Lake Macquarie’s largest marina. She is a multiple boat owner, Partner in 3 Freedom boat clubs, former board member of the MIA and believes the more people we have out on the water boating the happier the world will be. She loves connecting people that can help each other in business or enhance their lifestyle with the right brands and holding events to bring people together in a safe and positive environment to help each other rise. Her love is educating others on all things boating and boats, and helping others into the industry and lifestyle she loves. A rising tide lifts all boats.

  1. 5D AGO

    Mike's enthusiasm is infectious. Maybe that's why his product has more than 90% of the market in the boating industry in his space.

    Mike Reischmann - CEO Kenyon Grills There are some people you meet in business who are clearly building a product… and then there are those who are on a mission. Mike Reischmann of Kenyon Grills is firmly in the second category. Sitting down with Mike at IBEX in Florida, you immediately feel it — his enthusiasm is so genuine and so powerful, it’s like he’s saving the world one grill at a time. And in the boating industry, he just might be. With Kenyon Grills cornering over 90% of the market in their space, there’s no doubt he has created an exceptional product that boaters trust. But what really stood out to me wasn’t just the market share — it was the craftsmanship and innovation behind it. These grills feature unique design elements that Mike has painstakingly developed over the years. Every detail has been considered, refined, and engineered for the marine environment. And understandably, those innovations are carefully protected with patents — when you build something this good, you protect it. The atmosphere at IBEX made this conversation even more special. There’s an energy at that show — the pulse of the marine industry all in one place — and Mike’s passion fit it perfectly. His energy is truly infectious. You’ll hear it in his voice. You’ll feel it in the way he talks about his team, his customers, and the relentless pursuit of getting it right. If you’re in the boating space — or simply appreciate entrepreneurs who care deeply about what they create — you’re going to love this conversation. For more details about Kenyon Grills and their incredible product range, visit https://www.cookwithkenyon.com. And if you haven’t experienced IBEX yet, make sure you visit https://www.ibexshow.com/ and plan to attend in 2026. It’s an event that brings this entire industry to life. I hope you enjoy my chat with Mike. If you do, please like and subscribe, and leave us a review so we can continue to champion voices like his and share more stories from leaders shaping our industry. Let’s dive in. Nicky x

    34 min

  2. FEB 16

    It's the Biggest Boat Show in Europe but who's responsible??

    Welcome to the Cannes Yachting Festival — where the sun hits the water just right, the pontoons are basically catwalks, and you can walk from a 5-metre day boat to a 50-metre statement piece in about three minutes… if you don’t get distracted every six seconds. Today’s guest is the person who makes this whole floating city run on time: Sylvie Ernoult, Director of the Cannes Yachting Festival — and, frankly, the only person here moving faster than the tenders. And a quick warning: if you’re listening thinking, “Oh great, an interview at a boat show — relaxed pace, scenic background…” — you’ve never tried to catch Sylvie. Because here’s what happens: you spot her at Vieux Port, you make eye contact, you wave… and by the time you’ve said “Bonjour,” she’s already halfway to Port Canto, apparently teleporting between meetings, pontoons, and VIP drop-ins like she’s running the Monaco Grand Prix — but in flats, with a radio, and 700 boats waiting for her decision. So we’re thrilled we managed to intercept her and her successor for long enough to put a microphone in front of them – it’s a quick but meaningful chat! Sylvie has led the festival since 2013 (the show began in 1977 believe it or not), and 2025 marks her final edition as Director before handing over to her successor, Constance Brément . We’re going to talk about what it takes to run Europe’s biggest in-water boat show, why women make such great show organisers and what happens now as she hands over. Sylvie Ernoult is the longtime director of the Cannes Yachting Festival, appointed show manager in 2013 (then under Reed Exhibitions France, alongside the Fédération des Industries Nautiques). She has described having grown up in Le Havre, with the sea “part of her DNA,” and says she has spent almost her entire career connected to the maritime/yachting world. Since taking leadership, she has overseen the festival’s growth and the operational reality of running a two-site show across Vieux Port and Port Canto, with the event structured into distinct “worlds”/sectors to manage scale and visitor flow. 2025 is a symbolic “handover” year: Sylvie’s final edition as director before passing leadership to Constance Brément.   A few facts about Cannes Yachting Festival The Cannes Yachting Festival was founded in 1977 and has grown into a flagship European boating event. It’s widely positioned as Europe’s largest in-water boat show, staged across two ports: Vieux Port and Port Canto. The show’s modern identity also reflects its increasing international focus; the official site highlights its scale and “world capital of yachting” feel during show week. 2025 show stats From official festival information and 2025 reporting, the 2025 edition landed around: Nearly 56,000 visitors About 710–711 boats on display Roughly 677–680 exhibitors 147 world premieres (reported as a major jump year-on-year) https://www.cannesyachtingfestival.com/en-gb.html Follow us on Instagram @theboatprincess Sign up for our events and happenings news at  https://www.theboatprincess.com/

    20 min

  3. JAN 21

    A conversation with Will Green, CEO of Princess Yachts at Cannes Yachting Festival

    Princess Yachts is not a brand that sponsors me or I am directly linked to, but my first decent size motor yacht was a Princess, so it has to be said, I have a soft spot for them. (The hint is in MY brand name) But there is more to it than having owned one (and for that matter intending to own another in the future). Their values align with mine. Despite being a luxury brand, they have a humble approach to their clients. They believe the clients know more about the boats than they do and thus they as Will expresses in this interview “we have two ears and one mouth and use them proportionally” listening to what their clients need and responding accordingly. Will and I met for the first time in 2018 when, as a Princess owner visiting the UK, my family and I visited the shipyard – at which they were both generous with their time and open with their tour – allowing us to truly experience where and why these beautiful motoryachts are built. 18,000 Princess Yachts have been built over time and their company is a substantial employer in Plymouth in the UK – with multiple generations working as craftspeople across all of the different build processes – from electrical looms to perfectly finished furniture, from fuel tank building to fibreglass laying,  Princess is proud of just how much of their build is done in-house. Will has been with Princess Yachts 23 years this year, joining just before Southampton Boat Show in 2003. In his first few days he experienced the product first-hand on a delivery run to the show from Plymouth, Cornish Pasty in hand (on the flybridge of course so the crumbs blew away and didn’t upset the stylists at the show) - what a way to start! In this interview we discuss how his boating life started, how stabilisation has changed how people go boating, the new products Princess are bringing out to cater to those client needs they have been listening to, and their return to building Superyachts – their last 40m was delivered some 7 years ago – so this is not new to them – it’s returning to a space they know meeting the demands of a market demanding bigger boats but also a client base that they don’t want to lose to another brand simply because they don’t have a boat big enough. I hope you enjoy my chat with Will – aboard a beautiful Princess flybridge at Cannes Yachting Festival. Let me know what you think in a review please! UPDATE: Excitingly our new office base and Podcast Studio is coming together in the Marine Precinct in Coomera on the Gold Coast – looking forward to sharing more with you in the near future! Nicky x Sign up for our News and Events on my website Follow me on Linked IN  Follow me on Instagram For more information on Princess Yachts go to: https://www.princessyachts.com/

    1 hr

  4. 12/31/2025

    Leading The Magenta Project - My conversation with Victoria Low the CEO

    I am finishing off 2025 with a very important guest who leads an incredibly inspirational project that is dear to my heart in my continuous goal to have more women join me in the boating industry and boating generally. Victoria Low and I met in 2023 at the ICOMIA Congress in La Rochelle. I interviewed her then but she's since changed to lead an incredibly important project she was actually part of the creation of 10 years ago. A meeting after a sailing event which illustrated that the guys were being given opportunities for employment but women were not....inspired some incredible women to create a group which had an aspiration to "Create a group to change the world".  The Magenta Project has this on it's website: Mission & Objectives   Sailing is a unique sport—a test of skill, endurance, and the interplay between humans, technology, and nature. It is one of few professional sports where men and women compete together. Yet, despite this, only 5% of professional sailors are women, and a mere 3% represented across the entire marine industry. Across the marine industry, from the intense environment onboard race boats to the practical settings of boatyards and the wider marine industry, women navigate a complex landscape of challenges that mirror those of the corporate boardroom. These hurdles extend beyond simple discrimination, encompassing limited access to opportunities, support, difficulties in obtaining certifications, and the pervasive impact of systemic bias. Recognising these inequities, The Magenta Project, an award-winning global charity, is dedicated to building a sustainable network and implementing impactful programmes. Our mission is simple: to ensure greater equity and inclusion for women in the sport and the wider marine industry, by working to dismantle the barriers that hinder their full participation and advancement. You can see more about them here:  https://themagentaproject.org/ Big thanks to Sunseeker International and Sunseeker London group for hosting us on their beautiful Sunseeker 74 at Southampton Boat Show.  https://www.sunseekerlondon.com/ https://www.southamptonboatshow.com/

    47 min

  5. 12/17/2025

    Fairline Yachts has had its tumultuous times – has it sailed into safe hands now?

    Fairline Yachts has had its tumultuous times – has it reached safe hands now? The boating industry is going through a transition period for the next 10 years or so, in my view. Those who created the manufacturing businesses, marinas and small enterprises are entering their retirement phase and, as a result, someone has to take over — or sadly, sometimes they simply shut down. Often the skill set isn’t available in adequate numbers to pass it on, or the generational handover is not there, or simply not interested. In some cases, investment funds or private equity have recognised this shift and are entering a market that is entirely new to them. It’s a unique industry. With funny words, unusual problems, and a solid requirement for reinvestment. What some of these businesses have historically lacked, however, is strong financial management skills, clear growth strategies and financial backing (banks have, for some unknown reason, always been extremely cautious with LVRs in this sector). And so we get to my next podcast interviewee. Starting in the banking industry before most of us would normally leave school, Paul Taylor brings a wealth of financial experience and strength as the new owner of Fairline Yachts, alongside his partner Robin Southwell OBE. Paul also had a period invested in marinas, with the second-largest European marina at Vilamoura in Portugal. It was a delight to interview Paul on the back of a Fairline Targa 50 at the Southampton Boat Show. Having someone with a brain like his to delve into brings insight, intriguing ideas and genuine hope that Fairline is now in steady hands. I hope you enjoy it. 🎙️ Listen to the episode: 👉 The Boat Princess Podcast: https://theboatprincess.com/podcast 🚤 Learn more about Fairline: 👉 https://www.fairline.com⚓ Southampton Boat Show: 👉 https://www.southamptonboatshow.com #TheBoatPrincess #FairlineYachts #BoatingIndustry #Leadership #MarineBusiness #SouthamptonBoatShow #Yachting #Podcast

    27 min

  6. 11/28/2025

    Sas Stein - A rising tide lifts all boats

    Today I have something a little different for you. I am venturing outside the Boating Industry into the Hospitality Industry and the timing of the release of this podcast episode is critical. As you know my ethos is to support women in business. A rising tide lifts all boats. This is a woman I have admired for a very long time as she quietly achieved in the background of a very famous husband and someone today I can gratefully call a friend. She is someone that has done so much more than many people realise, changed her career and adapted strongly to her new circumstances and through it all faced some challenges and moments many do not even know of.  In this conversation we explore topics that actually reveal our similarities and endless connections and we discuss what's happening in her world, including the very exciting new restaurant at Coogee Sydney, which literally opens on Monday - 1st December.  Thus the crucial timing of this release. She, as a PR expert, has got it covered but that doesn't mean I don't want to shout from the rooftops my support for her new venture and encourage as many as possible to enjoy what is the great cuisine (which is actually always complex yet simple flavours allowing the ingredients to shine through) of Rick Stein. Rick is of course well known for his TV shows - truth be told he is my go to at the end of a stressful day - his dulcet tones about all things food and beautiful locations in Europe are the perfect escape. I hope you enjoy my chat with Sas Stein, this bubbly, humble, high achieving human in London earlier this year. Big thanks to Brown's Hotel in Mayfair for hosting us in one of the most beautiful suites I have ever seen. https://www.roccofortehotels.com/hotels-and-resorts/brown-s-hotel/ Here's the restaurant you need to visit soon: https://www.ricksteinatcoogeebeach.com.au/ And here's my Girls Getaways location which is literally a 4 minute walk to Rick Steins at Mollymook (who buys a house based on it's location to a restaurant? Well me I guess! - You'll get that story in this episode) https://venusgetaways.com.au/south-coast-girls-getaway-beaches-mollymook/ Much love Nicky x

    56 min

  7. 11/06/2025

    Diving into her own business with Olivia White of Browns International Yacht Brokerage

    I always say the best "job" you can have is one you create for yourself. I am a perfect example - I offered to help out at the Boat Brokerage at our marina when my kids were now at school and I had some more time on my hands and I have now been part of this amazing Boating Industry since - we sold 300+ boats in 7 years in that brokerage so I kind of get what's involved in brokering boats - and I can tell you it is not nearly as easy or as glamorous as it looks. Climbing under black covers on a stifling hot day, cleaning toilets, cleaning bilges, explaining why the owner needs to spend more money - we get to do it all - but the only bit you invariably see is the showing of the boat as you should see it after we have done all that :)   When you go out on a successful sea trial in the fresh air and see the smile on the new owners face though - that's a feeling that makes it all worth while. From doing the negotiations to securing another listing brokerage can be thrilling, frustrating, joyous and disappointing all in one day - which is why it is such an interesting business to be in. Brokerage now though is moving into different times. Social media is now an essential part of the process and how you present the boat is everything. That's why I wanted to interview Olivia. Her new business kept popping up in my Instagram feed over the last few years and it impressed me. It was clear they not only had a handle on boats but a handle on marketing and presentation too.  Thus my interview with Olivia at Cannes Yachting Festival delves into how this all came about - her path is one she has basically created herself - and thus she has created the best "job" she could ever have. Join me as she explains how it all happened, why it all happened and what she thinks the future holds. Enjoy. Nicky x For more information on Browns International Yachts see: https://www.browns-international.com/ To sign up for our Newsletter and hear more about what we are up to (including our new fashion collection for boating coming soon)  See www.theboatprincess.com

    45 min

  8. 09/24/2025

    From the ugly to the perfection - my fun chat with Vasco of Cantiere della Marche Superyachts

    As I fly to Monaco Yacht Show tomorrow I thought I might share one of my favourite superyacht brand interviews with you. Vasco Buonpensiere is one of those people that charms you from the outset but you know underneath is a man that expects nothing but perfection and uses his excellent mind to do so whilst bringing the best out in others to achieve it.  Commencing his career in law and becoming an extremely successful one, whilst lucrative, was not the life he wanted for himself. And so he entered the world of Boat Brokerage. Now he creates with his technically talented partner Ennio Cecchini yachts designed to pursue true exploration whilst in the height of luxury. "I believe when you reach a certain spend on a yacht you should be able to determine the capability of that yacht not be restricted by it." says Vasco in this interview. As such there are currently Cantiere delle Marche yachts circumnavigating the globe but also resting in the mediterranean for the beauty of it.  So as you listen to my chat with Vasco hear the joy in his voice of creating masterpieces for exacting clients and his clever business brain of how with a few laughs along the way.  For more information on these spectacular brand see: https://www.cantieredellemarche.it/ And if you are a client in Australia please contact my dear friends Paul Miletta and Domenico Giuffre - more lovely people to work with you would be hard pushed to find.

    53 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

In this series, Nicky shares her valuable insight and experiences about Boating, Yachting,the Boating Lifestyle and working in the Boating Industry. With a personal goal to engage more people in the industry and see more women behind the helm, in her intro you’ll get to know and love the Boat Princess as we do. She interviews interesting and entertaining guests from all aspects of the boating industry from superyachts to marinas, from entrepreneurs to CEO’s, all with fascinating stories, plus some incredible high achieving women in boating like Kay Cottee the first woman to perform a single handed, non-stop and unassisted circulation of the world and Lisa Blair the record holder for Antarctica’s circumnavigation. We are excited to welcome Nicky Vaux to the Podcast world. Introducing Nicky might take a while to scan through her many achievements, accolades and acknowledgements. You can follow Nicky and live vicariously through her instagram @theboatprincess or see her website www.theboatprincess.com for details on how to collaborate your brand with her, be interviewed on the podcast, have her video or review a boat for you or join her at one of her amazing events. Nicky is a Partner of Empire Marinas Group, owners of Empire Marina Bobbin Head, Sydney’s most awarded marina and Empire Marina Lake Macquarie, Lake Macquarie’s largest marina. She is a multiple boat owner, Partner in 3 Freedom boat clubs, former board member of the MIA and believes the more people we have out on the water boating the happier the world will be. She loves connecting people that can help each other in business or enhance their lifestyle with the right brands and holding events to bring people together in a safe and positive environment to help each other rise. Her love is educating others on all things boating and boats, and helping others into the industry and lifestyle she loves. A rising tide lifts all boats.

Information

  • Creator
    The Boat Princess
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    103
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2021 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    The Boat Princess Podcast