Lorenzo Vila: Director & Co-Founder of easyboats

easyboats has certainly learnt a lot and seen many changes in its quarter of a century in yachting, having been immersed in the glamorous high-value industry since 1989. We caught up with Mallorcan local, Lorenzo Vila to find out a bit more about the business, its beginnings and the men in charge.

Tell us a little bit about your business, how it started out and where you're based...

Myself and my brother, Xisco, founded easyboats back in November 1989, a couple of young entrepreneurs fresh from full-time education. Based in Port Andratx (a place we still call ‘home’ - privately and professionally) easyboats was the first motoryacht charter company on the Island with our competitors focussed on sailing yachts. We even had to persuade an insurance company to draft their first ever motoryacht insurance policy. Using three family-owned speedboats, those early years were really great times. Being first into a marketplace is always good and, with no competition, we built a great client base and grew quickly. By the end of year one 100% of our investment had been recouped – and more.

What makes Mallorca a special place to be for someone in your profession/in general?

We are lucky enough to have been born here in Mallorca, as were our parents, grandparents... so setting up easyboats elsewhere wasn’t really a consideration. Aside from Mallorca being our home, it is actually an amazing place for the yachting industry, the hub of the western Mediterranean. The Island has stunning coastal landscapes, a long warm summer season, and all facilities in place from smart marinas to hi-tech shipyards and ancillary services. Mallorca also has great complementary infrastructure including a well-connected international airport, Spain’s third busiest after Madrid and Barcelona, good medical care, luxury hotels and real estate, dozens of golf courses, several Michelin-recognised restaurants and a capital city boasting a wealth of culture and history. All added together, the Island has plenty of appeal for the wealthy, the target market which brings life to the yachting industry.

What are the best bits about your job?

Without a doubt, the best bit is working in an industry that is a hobby for your client. Whether it’s chartering them a yacht, or selling them the boat of their dreams - we are in the business of leisure and pleasure. Also, if you do things right, it’s a fantastic opportunity to build close relationships with customers, something that’s less common in other careers and industries.

And the worst bits?

If, due to reasons beyond our control, we are unable to deliver the product or service that a customer expects. Whether it’s unforeseen bad weather or a rare out-of-the-blue mechanical issue, for us, there is nothing worse than an unhappy customer.

What is in store for the future with your business, any exciting projects in the pipelines that you can share with us?

We have plenty of great plans for easyboats, my brother and I are always reading, learning, growing, improving. First, to complete our offering, we will be starting a new service division to take care of everything from a small electrical issue to an entire refit. We are also in the process of building international partnerships to strengthen our brokerage division, and are making moves towards the superyacht sector. Finally, easyboats is also in negotiation to form a closer relationship with an established shipyard. More on that we cannot say, but it would certainly result in us being positioned towards the higher end of the market.

What are you personal and professional goals for the future?

We both stand for integrity in all we do, whether personal or professional, therefore our goals will always be in line with those principles. We will keep doing things right and always strive for excellency.

Where would send someone who was after that something 'something special' in resort, to stay, eat or drink?

For us, nothing compares to being out on the water in a comfortable yacht. Combine this with a great bottle of wine and grilled ‘catch of the day’ prepared by the on-board chef and what more could you want? If you insist on something slightly more energetic, we can always drop you off at Nikki Beach Mallorca for a cocktail or two.

Your favourite place for lunch or dinner, if you're just looking for a quick bite to eat?

Both Xisco and I are very much into the healthy lifestyle – we do crossfit, surfing, running, and are very disciplined when it comes to nutrition – but don’t worry, you will still catch us drinking a decent glass of red wine or having a mouthful of fresh bread. Unfortunately there are not yet many places in Mallorca where you can pick up a quick healthy snack between meetings but Ziva, opposite Santa Catalina market in Palma, is probably the favourite. All food is organic, raw, gluten- and dairy-free – and delicious. For evenings, you cannot go wrong with newly-Michelin-Bib-Gourmand-bestowed Patron Lunares, Dukes or Bunker in Palma, and, for steak, La Hacienda in Paguera.

Where will we find the best coffee, paella or empanades?

With any of our charter boats, we can take you to this charming sea-view restaurant at Cala Sa Foradada (locally known as “the rock with a hole”). Here you can have a delicious paella cooked on an open wooden fire, just like our mother used to do for us when we went for a picnic or camping as kids. No paella tastes as good as the one you cook on a wood fire. For coffee, Rialto Living in Palma is a great choice – the architecture alone will take your breath away. For empanadas, our mother’s - sorry ;) (not that we really should eat them according to our healthy lifestyle!)

What do you do when you're not working?

We are both serious hard workers and don’t get a lot of free time, but when we do we spend it staying fit and healthy and enjoying family time. I have a young daughter, and Xisco a daughter and son, and thankfully all have inherited our love for the sea, so in the summer you will find us on the Chris Craft, fishing, snorkelling or wakeboarding.

Which is your favourite shop in Mallorca?

I mentioned it before, but the new Rialto Living shop in Palma is something else. A lifestyle store offering fashion, gifts, homewares and art, alongside a cafe, Rialto Living makes you feel like you are in any major city such as London or New York. It is housed in a converted 15th century palace in Palma’s old town and covers more than 800m² – oh and a very close friend of ours just happened to be responsible for its re-build.

Yachts or speedboats? What's your preference & why?

When you say yachts – you mean motoryachts right? The answer is - I love them both. Being at sea is all about the experience and both kinds of boats have their appeal. The ideal is when you can combine both, for example the big open motoryachts from Mangusta offer the luxury of a yacht alongside the performance of a speedboat (40 knots plus). It’s no surprise that we have sold three of these beauties to very good clients of ours.

If someone was coming here for the first time, what would you suggest they absolutely must do or see in resort?

If you have any preconceptions about Mallorca, perhaps involving drinking games and neon lights in Magalluf, then you must take a boat trip around the northern coastline. Once you have experienced the jaw-dropping beauty of the Sierra Tramuntana mountain towns of Estellencs, Banyalbufar, Valldemossa, Deia and Port Soller from the sea, every previous image you may have had of the Island will be (wonderfully) shattered.

Where is your favourite beach?

We are a bit spoilt so normally enjoy the sea from a boat, but our top choice beaches would be Cala Mesquida in the northeast or Es Trenc in the southeast, purely for their natural white sand dunes and crystal-clear shallow waters. Also, if you haven’t visited the petite Balearic Island of Formentera, this is something you must do before you die – the beaches could be straight out of a Caribbean holiday brochure.

What's your tip to escape the crowds in the summer?

Charter one of our boats of course!