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Fraser Yachts CEO Raphael Sauleau on Yachting’s New Normal

Raphael Sauleau has been navigating an incredibly turbulent time in the industry.

By Samantha Coles

As CEO of yacht brokerage and management company Fraser Yachts, Raphael Sauleau has been navigating an incredibly turbulent time. He speaks to Samantha Coles about how the pandemic is shaping Fraser’s plans for the future.

Raphael Sauleau, CEO of Fraser Yachts, cut a quietly confident figure speaking to us via Zoom from the garden of his home in the South of France — sitting in the sunshine, in his enviable alfresco private office. It was early summer, when lockdown restrictions were tentatively easing around the world, and we could see faint glimmers of light at the end of the Covid-19 tunnel.

His cool, collected demeanor has steered Fraser through these difficult times with a strong focus on protecting people — both employees and clients. His passion for technology has also intensified; it’s proving to be vital not just for business, but for his personal life, too. “Technology has let us work remotely, but I have also been doing a lot of sport — I use Strava, and it’s connected to my bike. My Technogym treadmill has been a fantastic help; I don’t think I would have coped otherwise!”

As the world began to lock down, Sauleau, who champions remote work already, initiated fully remote working for Fraser: “We already had a policy in place called ‘smart work’ where people work remotely a day or two a week. So it wasn’t a difficult process to initiate; in fact, we started remote work fully about 10 days before the country locked down because I could see it was coming our way.

Instead of stressing last minute we thought to just get it sorted. I am a believer in remote work — I think it is a good way to allow people to work without the stress of commuting or leaving children with nannies. I think a mix of remote and office work is a winning situation, and everyone has adapted to the new working method efficiently. Even though we had some challenges with canceling and rescheduling charters, we have been able to do so without going through the trauma of feeling unsafe.”

Here Comes The Sun, a 272-ft superyacht / ©Jeff Brown

Perhaps the past few decades of Sauleau’s life, both professional and personal, have shaped this refreshing attitude to a work-life balance. His first foray into the world of yachting was at a young age when he would sail with his uncle. “I am from the western part of France, and from spring until the end of summer we would sail all the western coast in my uncle’s 50m [164ft] sailing boat. I’ve been around boats, and the sea, for some time.”

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He went on to work with cruise lines and large shipping management companies before becoming CEO of a family office and then CEO of Fraser. “I was keen to see the other side of the fence. I had to adapt from sea life to shore life: work regular hours, being more sedentary, versus traveling around the world and having hours that are everything but regular. I had to adapt, moving from a big corporation to a private office and a private owner to Fraser.”

While Sauleau extols Fraser’s efforts during the pandemic, there has understandably been a dip in enquiries from the charter and sales sides, but yacht management has been busier than normal as clients seek guidance and advice. Sauleau has noticed that those who normally charter a yacht are now looking to purchase one, as a way to be fully in control of hiring the crew but also to manage safety and hygiene in their own way. On the charter front, Sauleau notes that enquiries are picking up and opportunities are on the horizon.

“We don’t have the normal level of business that we usually have at this time, but there are good opportunities coming our way. A lot of people are looking forward to being back at sea — there is never zero risk, but a yacht is such a confined environment. There are very few individuals onboard, including guests and crew, and we have procedures in place for sanitation and social distancing regulations.”

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Before the lockdown, Sauleau notes there was a growing trend in chartering to remote destinations — a trend that will surely be even more popular in a post-lockdown landscape. “Away from the French, Italian Rivieras, people want to go to destinations where they can drop anchor and enjoy the scenery, and not be in the same area as everyone else. I think that the yacht will also become the destination. Of course you can still travel from place to place and go ashore, but people want to just get away with their loved ones and be in a place where they can stay safe.

“We have noticed that some aren’t traveling as far as they used to — Americans are not going to come to Europe, they are deciding to stay around the US. They might charter a yacht in the Caribbean, or even within the US itself — there are so many possibilities. The East Coast of the states is a great place for an Indian summer. In the brokerage world, the American market is by far the biggest in terms of boat ownership. Yachting, being on the water…it’s in their DNA. When the waterways were reopened in America, a lot of people were straight out on their boats. It is something that they were clearly craving. People just want to be on the water.”

Sauleau is steering Fraser through the pandemic / ©Thierry Ameller

There is no doubt this pandemic will have a lingering effect on the way people travel, but Sauleau reverts back to the positive aspects. He speaks about clients with jam-packed schedules who travel constantly, and have now spent the past few months with their families — he describes it as a revelation.

“One thing I always remember about working in a private office is I asked the boss, ‘why do you like yachts so much?’ He said it was the only place where he can find himself with his family, they are all together, and everybody is focused on being together. And this is something we see today — families have been separated by this pandemic. They cannot see each other, or are scared to contaminate one another. Now they see that they can travel on a yacht together. It is the best place to be with your family.”

As for the future of Fraser, a new shareholder means big plans for expansion. Sauleau reverts to his passion for technology; he believes it will be of paramount importance moving forward — for the yachting industry, and indeed the world, to adapt to a new normal.

During lockdown, Fraser conducted online viewings and continued to make sales. He is keen to take this up a notch even when restrictions are lifted, but in a subtle way. “Luxury is all about being able to serve in a very discreet manner. Some clients may disappear for a while because they are busy, and it’s important to have the right tools to keep in touch in one way or another. To still be on their radar without being intrusive…technology allows us to do that.”

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Samantha Coles

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A Standout Design for Charter

• By Yachting Staff
• February 2, 2023

Fraser Yachts recently welcomed the 135-foot Studio F.A. Porsche Royal Falcon One power catamaran to its charter fleet. It’s an unusual design in the marketplace: a power catamaran designed by Studio F.A. Porsche.

Royal Falcon One is a 2019 build that accommodates 10 guests in staterooms that include a main-deck master and a bridge-deck VIP. Onboard amenities include three bars and a sundeck hot tub.

Cruising speed on the all-aluminum build is 10 knots, with a top-end speed of 22 knots, according to Fraser.

Inquiries are now being accepted for charters year-round in the Mediterranean. The yacht is available for events such as MIPIM, the Monaco Grand Prix and the Cannes Film Festival.

What’s the lowest weekly base rate to charter Royal Falcon One ? It’s about $211,000.

How to book a week on board: contact a charter broker at fraseryachts.com

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10 most interesting places in Yaroslavl Region (PHOTOS)

1. H istorical center of Yaroslavl

Church of Elijah the Prophet

Yaroslavl is located at the confluence of the Volga and Kotorosl rivers. This is the capital of the region (and the unofficial capital of the ‘Golden Ring’ tourist route) and a beautiful city with a thousand-year-long history; some of its landmarks are depicted on the 1,000-ruble bill.

The city is, at the same time, very modern – with bars and restaurants to satisfy every taste; that said, it is saturated with history and a rich cultural heritage. So, you can stay awhile and spend quite some time visiting attractions and churches… (don’t miss the Yaroslavl Museum-Reserve and the 17th-century Church of Elijah the Prophet!). You can read a detailed guide of Yaroslavl here . 

Aerial view of the city center

Even if you don’t like to go to museums, we still recommend you to visit the ‘Golden Ring’ show market, where you can see the main attractions of all the ‘Golden Ring’ cities in one room – well, a miniature version of them! It’s not simply static architecture in miniature, it’s an entire living world. Trains and cars move around, power stations are in operation, you can also hear church bells ring. Night comes every 10 minutes; lights spark up in the cities and in the windows of apartment blocks.

‘Golden Ring’ show market

Such an attraction is fun for both adults and children! You can see more videos and photos here . 

2. Pereslavl-Zalessky

The 12th century Transfiguration Cathedral and the monument to Alexander Nevsky

This is the first city of the region along the way for a tourist en route from Moscow to Yaroslavl. It’s also included in the ‘Golden Ring’. Pereslavl-Zalessky has one of the most ancient surviving churches of Russia – the 1152 (!) Transfiguration Cathedral. Almost every house here has a unique “museum” with its own theme, from vintage irons to gramophone records.

Locomotive Museum in Pereslavl

One of the most unusual ones hides in the forests not far from the city – the Pereslavl Railway Museum under the open sky. Examples of different locomotives and coaches since the beginning of the 20th century are collected there. You can also have a ride on a real draisine (a light auxiliary rail vehicle).

You can read a detailed guide to Pereslavl-Zalessky here .

3. Lake Pleshcheyevo

Lake Pleshcheyevo and the Church of the Forty Martyrs

Pereslavl-Zalessky stands on the shore of quite a large body of water. This lake is famous for the fact that Peter the Great trained his amusement fleet there. A museum stands on the shore, where the small boat ‘Fortuna’ is exhibited, built by Peter the Great himself, according to legend. 

‘Fortuna’ boat built by Peter the Great

Near Lake Pleshcheyevo lies an ancient artifact of pagan Russia – the sacred ‘Blue Stone’. This is a giant boulder (estimates say it weighs around 12 tons) that changes its color to blue after rain. The locals worshiped the stone in pre-Christian times, but even after accepting Christianity, the stone was attributed mystical properties (it was supposed that the stone possessed dark powers).

This Blue Stone was considered sacred

Pleshcheyevo is a paradise for eco-tourists; there are a lot of rare birds and animals that livee there, surrounded by a forest and picturesque places. You can stop at one of the recreation bases or pitch a tent and enjoy the view, ride a boat or SUP-boards. There’s also a kiteboarding school; also, during summer, hot air balloon festivals are often held.

4. The Rostov Kremlin

The Rostov Kremlin

The next city along the way is Rostov Veliky (don’t mistake it for the southern Rostov-on-Don). Its main attraction is its unbelievably beautiful white-stone kremlin of. It was also captured in popular culture: many scenes of the iconic comedy movie ‘Ivan Vasilievich: Back to the Future’ were shot there.

A still from ‘Ivan Vasilievich: Back to the Future’

The kremlin is not a defensive fortification like in other cities. It was built as the residence of Rostov metropolitan Jonas III in 1650-1680. The high walls with embrasures and lookout towers are more of a stylization and a tribute to architectural trends.

Inside, you should definitely enter the ancient Dormition Cathedral, admire the iconostasis and frescoes and take a stroll in its picturesque garden. Try pastries with kvass, medovukha or sbiten in the local refectory.

As a souvenir, you can get a decoration item with Rostov ‘finift’, an old local handicraft that originated in Byzantium, involves a technique known as ‘fire writing’.

You can read our Rostov guide here .

5. Uglich – the city where history was made

Uglich, the red church is the Church of Dmitry on Spilled Blood

This small town on a picturesque shore of the Volga River is famous across Russia. Not for its ancient churches or its nature, but as the place where Tsarevich Dmitry was killed, which ended the Rurikid dynasty and paved the way for the ‘Time of Troubles’.

The main attractions are concentrated in the kremlin, with a bunch of souvenir stores and a new embankment with trendy cafes.

Visit the chambers of Uglich princes of the 15th century, as well as the Church of Dmitry on Spilled Blood, built on the place where the tsarevich was killed – it has fantastic paintings inside.

And you can read our detailed Uglich guide here .

6. The city of mice

Cruise ships cruising along the Volga River always stop in the city called Myshkin. It is, probably, the most lovely (and cutest) town in the entire region, a small center which has preserved the spirit of Russian antiquity.

‘Mysh’ is Russian for ‘Mouse’, so Myshkin literally means the ‘Mouse City’. Thanks to its name, the city made the mouse its mascot. And now mice (no, not the real ones!) are all over the place – there’s a special museum dedicated to mice, while there are souvenirs wherever you go: mice of the most diverse varieties!

Mice of Myshkin

It’s considered a blessing to buy a small clay mouse and put it in your wallet – the locals believe it will attract money. The square, where the Volga River liners dock, offers a dozen types of smoked fish. A marvelous view of the Volga River, meanwhile, opens from the bell tower of St. Nicholas’ Cathedral.

7. Rybinsk – a retro-style city

Retro street signs on the local Red Square

Rybinsk is yet another city on the shore of the Volga River. There, you can immerse yourself in the atmosphere of rich merchant life – the city was once a true trade center, which also dealt in fish. The Nobel Brothers Museum, who developed the oil industry in the city and on the Volga River, can also be found there.

It’s pure joy to have a stroll in Rybinsk, for, today, the main aspect of the city is that all the signs in the center are made in the retro merchant style. Even modern banks and stores attract visitors with their seemingly pre-revolution signs. Also, Rybinsk has a beautiful and very long embankment and even its own Red Square, which, despite the Lenin monument, is very reminiscent of a typical square somewhere in Europe.

8. The most beautiful village in Russia

The village of Vyatskoye

The village of Vyatskoye 40 kilometers from Yaroslavl is considered one of the most beautiful in Russia (at least, according to the ‘Most Beautiful Villages of Russia’ Association). In recent years, it has become a true Mecca for tourists. Its center was restored in the Art Nouveau style of the beginning of the 20th century, right down to stone pavements and vintage buildings.

There are museums to satisfy every taste (including the Museum of Russian Entrepreneurial Spirit), stores with souvenirs and local delicacies, sweets, and liqueurs, as well as a multitude of cafes.

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