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IGUANA YACHTS IN THE US: INTERVIEW OF BRETT DAVID

What’s the story behind Prestige Imports Miami?

Prestige Imports was originally founded by my father in 1977 but at the time we started off as just a Pre Owned luxury car sales center to mix with every type of domestic and European import in the 70s. It was way before our opportunity of being a Lamborghini dealer in 1989. 

"We operate our business never forgetting that service is key, that the experience is key. So, all all the brands we work with follow that same admission guidelines."

My father aspired to be a Lamborghini dealer for a very long time. He saw and felt Lamborghini as this iconic brand that Ferruccio Lamborghini had created. After we had taken Lamborghini, in 1989, we remained one of the larger Lamborghini dealers in the country. After that, we acquired different brands like Lotus and Audi. 

When I came on to the brand, there were two brands that I saw for passion, Pagani and Karma. My father had a dream of working with Horacio Pagani, and I was pasionnate about representing the hybrid, luxury electric automotive manufacturer Karma. We operate our business never forgetting that service is key, that the experience is key. So, all the brands we work with follow that same admission guidelines. There is a passion behind each brand.

Why did you launch Prestige Marine?

Prestige Marine started as a passion project for us. My father lived on a boat for 16 years before he ever owned a home. He was always telling my mother “My Sunday is going to be father and son day”. My head was into cars for six days a week, but on the Sunday we were always on a boat together. 

After my father passed away, I was left with his very large Sunseeker and his speedboats. I remember saying to myself “I’m going to start fresh, and recreate a brand in memory of my father”. The concept of Prestige Marine started when I bought my first Midnight Express.

As I started working with multiple brands like Pardo and Vandutch, I thought that I needed to run a yacht and marine business, the same way that the automotive industry is operated.

Why did you choose Iguana Yachts?

There is a lot of different manufacturers that I’ve me, which in theory sound really cool but the execution is not there. That was my biggest fear when I looked at competitors of Iguana Yachts. The concept of having a boat that transfers from water to land is very cool, but nobody had ever executed it in a seamless fashion, with a product and engineering that actually works in rough seas and on different types of terrain, and that remains aesthetically beautiful.

The first time I discovered Iguana Yachts in one of the magazines, I remember thinking “Oh my God, this is something that we have to represent in the Prestige Marine family”. At the time, a client of ours had just purchased one and I was amazed. Many people can conceptually think of an idea of something cool like this but very few can actually execute it. That’s why you’re the only amphibious brand we would ever want to work with.

What was your feeling the first time you tried an Iguana?

First, as you walk up to the vessel, you have the impression that it’s sitting there, waiting for you. You walk around it, look at a very notable engine, at the exterior design, and touch all of the different materials. You start wondering how the tracks must embed themselves into the hole. Then, you take a step back and you look at the actual aesthetics of the all itself and forget about the track system.

"I was hitting speeds of 45+ mph through waves and I was amazed because I completely forgot that a few moments ago this vessel rode itself up on shore."

Then, you get on the vessel and you experience it. It goes into the water and you feel this immediate keel sensation of the legs being there. On the click of a button, you hear the system retract. I couldn’t believe how simple it was. Once the track system is retracted, it is as if you have a regular hull. I was hitting speeds of 45+ mph through waves and I was amazed because I completely forgot that a few moments ago this vessel rode itself up on shore.

We came back and deployed the track system to come on the beach. The minute the track system kissed the sand, there was an automatic grapple factor. By itself, it was able to take and lift the boat out of the water. I was amazed with the stability, and because it actually worked.

The fourth and most impressive thing was walking off of the vessel. In America, there’s a saying that every truck driver that drives an 18-wheeler walks away from it, turns around after 10 feet, turns back and says “I drive that big thing”. That was the same experience that I had on the Iguana. I walked off the vessel, walked about 10 steps and turned around and said “This is amazing”.

Who are your Iguana clients?

So far, the customer base is all over the spectrum. We’ve dealt with customers that are purchasing them for the back of their big yachts, we’ve dealt with specific crews of very large vessels that are purchasing on behalf of the owner, we have a lot of waterfront homeowners that want to purchase it. So, we’ve met clients from every walk of life and that’s also a very cool thing about Iguana.

What are your clients’ feedback?

I have never seen a client that isn’t smiling from ear to ear. Some of my clients have also said that this is the future of marine boating. They wanted to be a part of the Iguana movement. 

What are the main benefits for your clients?

It’s the fact that at any time, they can snap their fingers, and they have the versatility of not just having an amphibious vessel in the water but being able to come up on land. It gives you an opportunity to explore areas you never thought you could. But also, in today’s day and age, it becomes an instagrammable moment. It is an experience.

What do you want to offer with Iguana Yachts?

We want to offer them the opportunity to not limit themselves to this traditional and specific way of boating. We want to welcome them to a brand that we, as Prestige Imports, have vetted from every sense of the word. We’re talking about a product that looks beautiful, performs incredibly, has resale value and durability. And we are a delaer welcoming it to the United States, delivering more than just a product of boating, delivering an experience.

"I'm super happy, I'm grateful to be part of your family. I'm grateful to have worked with Antoine, to work with Steve and the entire team."

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10TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE IGUANA MOBILITY SYSTEM

It has been 10 years since the Iguana Mobility System was fitted to the first model in 2011. Built with a robust and simple mechanism, the IMS is made to last.

What is the Iguana Mobility System?

The Iguana Mobility System (IMS) is a retractable powertrain allowing 50HP propulsion via a combustion engine (hydraulic transmissions) or an electric motor (Li-ion battery).

For versatility and comfort, each track is made of eight pairs of wheels suspended on four carbon steel blades.

What makes this mobility system unique?

Our choice: the track system

  • All-terrain: our choice puts agility and motor functions before speed. The ground pressure is no more than ½ bar so you can go on soft ground without getting stuck. 
  • Agility: the tracks allow forward and reverse movement including spot turn, anything is possible. Importantly, the Iguana Mobility System has a 1 meter high ground clearance, allowing the Iguana to scale up to 22 degrees / 40% inclines on all surfaces.
  • Easy and robust: the tracks are operated independently, therefore there is no need for a complex steering system. Each track is connected to an unidirectional joystick so driving is child’s play.

Powertrain kinematics

  • Robustness: the dimensions of the aluminium structure and the hull link pins are engineered and tested to withstand excessive impact.
  • Precision: to achieve the perfect fitting of the IMS into the hull, the production team have developed specific tools and techniques. This ensures perfect alignement every time.
  • Discretion: the Iguana Mobility System is designed to fit perfectly into the hull without sacrificing the performance of the boat. It takes precision and experience to perfectly install the legs and ensure the hydrodynamics of the hull are maintained.
Picture of Antonin Groult

Antonin Groult

Chief Technical Officer at Iguana Yachts

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EASY BEACH SETUPS FOR SUPERYACHTS

One of the many things that have improved in yachting over the last 20 years is safety, and with that, the time required for crew to rest. Of course the same amount of work needs to be completed each day so, what are the toughest jobs to fit into the day?

On deck at least, most will consider installing water slides a huge drain on time and resources but then there’s the beach setups to consider. When the call goes out that lunch or dinner will be on the beach, the groan from every crew member can be heard a mile away. It’s the task that doubles everyone’s work load. The chef’s preparation for transport and cooking ashore, to the service shifting the table dressings and the deck crew running tenders, tables and hard wear.

When the call goes out that lunch or dinner will be on the beach, the groan from every crew member can be heard a mile away. It's the task that doubles everyone's work load.

Anyone who’s had to get all this kit ashore while the swell is pushing the tender up the beach will know it can be a mammoth task. One crew member to helm, one to hold the bow while yet more crew make journey after journey through waist-deep water. Getting the supplies, the gazebo, the BBQ, and cooler ashore is a 3-5 person task and that still doesn’t get it done quickly. You’re looking at a big chunk on the morning taking your crew’s focus away from the other many important tasks.

I’m pleased to see beach landers have become increasingly popular and well-designed since my days running a deck team (pre-2010!). At the time, Iguana was delivering boat #1 and changing the rules when it comes to getting onto a beach.

How does 2 crew and 5 minutes sound? Even 1 crew if you’d like.

With an Iguana Amphibious Tender, that is truly all it takes.  Passing supplies, tables, chairs and beach toys down from the stable platform, conveniently parked next to your set up location, keeps the process quick, safe and efficient. The chefs carefully prepared platters are less likely to be dropped, the coolers of ice and champagne no longer need to be carried above your head through the waves, and most importantly the fatigue and risk injury to the crew are reduced to a minimum.

Beach landing, even with a sizable swell will never be the same again. If you need to see it to believe it, contact Iguana’s sales team today and book a private, COVID sensitive sea trial.

The guests and I had a great time with the Iguana X100. To be able to drop them off right outside the beach club restaurant was incredible, especially when such place tend to not have tender docks. The Iguana was comfortable and dry for the guests to be ferried to shore and back, another plus when dealing with high winds and expensive guest clothing.

How can an Iguana make it so easy?

  • Transport all supplies at once and land without getting wet.
  • Safely access remote beaches with no infrastructure. No need to anchor, a small piece of land is enough to disembark.
  • Keep your feet, supplies and guests dry thanks to the unique Iguana Mobility System.
  • There is no safer beach landing! 
  • The Iguana provides a roomy and steady platform perfect for all guests even those with limited mobility.
Picture of Paul Edmonds

Paul Edmonds

Former Captain on M/Y Harle
Superyacht Sales Manager at Iguana Yachts

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X100 SEA TRIAL: HOW DOES IT WORK?

FIRST STEPS

The Iguana X100 is designed to deliver the most enjoyable times on the water: water skiing, fishing, sunbathing… But before living adventure without limits, the boat needs to be perfectly checked.  The first steps are to check the engines, the electronics, all buttons, lights… We make sure everything is perfectly working and is offering a perfect finish.

TRIAL ON SEA

Once all details are checked, it’s time to test the performance of the boat on the sea. An Iguana X100 must be able to reach speeds of 55 mph, and we make sure it is! Boating performance is a key element for Iguana Yachts. We know people might think that an amphibious boat is less performant than a traditional boat. However, we want to show that an Iguana is both a powerful boat and an amphibious boat.

Before disembarking on land we get closer to the beach and check an element that no other boat is checking: the deployment of the tracks. The great performance on the sea is linked to the fact that the tracks, once fold into the hull, maintain the hull’s sleek lines. But approaching the coast, the team needs to check that the tracks deploy in 8 seconds.

TRIAL ON LAND

When arrived on land, all the attention is focused on the Iguana Mobility System (IMS). It’s time to check the stability of the boat, its drive control… Most of the time, people are absolutely shocked to see a boat moving forwards and backwards on the beach. People’s curisoity is always part of our sea trials.

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QUESTIONS ABOUT IGUANA CAPACITIES ANSWERED

HOW WELL DOES THE IGUANA RESIST OVER TIME?

The first concern we might have is all this mechanism in a salty environment – will it rust quickly? The boat is made from GRP. The big frame of the landing gear is made of 5083 marine-grade aluminium for applications that need superlative corrosion resistance in hostile environments. 5083 is the strongest non-heat treatable aluminium alloy, maintains its strength even after welding and is finished in a protective epoxy paint. Finally, the bearings, rams and all other metal parts are made of 316 stainless-steel, this is the highest standard for marine use.

WHAT ARE THE BOAT CAPACITIES?

Many pictures and videos show sleek paradise beaches but what about mud, shingle, strong edges and waves? The Iguana’s capability is amazing. With a long, wide rubber track, the ground pressure is equivalent to an 80 kg human. It copes better with soft mud than a human on foot. This is 16 times better than a very good 4×4 vehicle and is the same on shingle. The track even grips with seaweed on it; it works perfectly. With the boat being 1.2m high on the landing gear, waves of this size just flow underneath. For many boats, land is a hazard, for an Iguana amphibious boat land is a shelter. Some wonder whether the boat is strong enough to bang in the waves at landing? The landing gear is designed to withstand up to 16 tons of load so it can withstand significant impact. It has been successfully tested from a 2m high drop. Landing is always very smooth because the operation is like an airplane, you just follow the waves and engage the landing gear before landing.

High-tech boats - amphibious Iguana tracks
High-tech boats - amphibious Iguana tracks

HOW STEEP CAN IT CLIMB?

It is true that looking from the outside the boat can look unbalanced. But the centre of gravity is perfectly positioned. The front of the boat is very light and empty as opposed to the back that carries the engines, fuel tank and landing gear. It has been tested with more than 11 persons standing at the front and the balance is maintained. Another great element for balance is the centre of gravity being only 1.3m away from the ground with a 2.2m width between the legs. It is balanced like a sports car. All these elements make the Iguana capable of climbing safely angles of up to 40% with all passengers and even greater in certain situations.

HOW WELL DOES IT NAVIGATE?

One would think the weight and tracks would compromise the boat performance. Antoine Brugidou, the founder of Iguana Yachts, and Antoine Fritsch, the designer have come up with a simple yet impressive concept. The landing gear has the shape of the hull when folded, cleverly finishing the hull to perfection, just like an airplane undercarriage. The performance is over industry average.

IS IT EASY TO OPERATE?

Docking a boat is often an art that requires experience, knowledge and training. Not everyone has the time or interest for learning how to dock in all situations, but still want the freedom and pleasure. The Iguana landing capacity and easy joystick drive is so simple to operate that some owners have taken the jump for the Iguana Yachts as their first boat. What we see with the Iguana Yachts is that they operate safely with all guests onboard and it is very rare to encounter a difficult situation. Everyone that has experienced it says that it exceeds by far the expectations.

Feel free to navigate on our website to have a better look at our technology and understand our vision of the industry.

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IGUANA OWNERS STAY HOME & ENJOY THEIR BOAT

DIRECTLY PARKED IN YOUR GARDEN

These days, we understand the frustration felt by waterfront property owners. An ocean of opportunities and adventure awaits right before their eyes but they have no way to reach it. It looks so easy, so reachable, just a step away from their home, but the marina is too far away and it is not recommended to go there during these uncertain times. Boats are waiting, so are adventures.

If your boat was in your garden, wouldn’t it be easier?

Iguana owners have this chance. Their boats are moving and exploring the world. Directly parked in their garden, hidden from view, bad weather, and current constraints. They just have to embark, take a few things and it is done: it is as easy as taking your car.

Family coming back home on an Iguana

“Back on board, we use the cabin to change from wet suits to dry clothes and head home. We return to the house and simply drive up the slipway. No waiting for any assistance or difficult transitions to trailers. We park her in the same place as usual and we’re done. Effortlessly.”

Steve in the UK

FREEDOM IS AT YOUR DOOR

Given the current context, “staying home” is a highly shared recommendation and freedom feels more limited than before. Some of us are considering buying a house with a garden in order to expand our sense of freedom by having a small part of nature at hand.

Would you believe this part of nature can be bigger and easier to reach?

Your garden could become a gateway to a huge playing field: the ocean. Iguana Yachts’ innovation takes on its full meaning when you are looking for freedom. The Iguana is truly independent and closer to your desires and needs. Experience a new kind of freedom with the easy use of Iguana Yachts: explore the world starting in your garden, without limits.

Surfing family with an Iguana

“The kids are ready at 10.00 am and we board the Iguana in the garage. All our kit is still on board so no need to pack everything. Even the fridge is still stocked with cool water and soft drinks. At 10.03 am we’re already on the move across the beach and in the water by 10.05 am.”

Olivia in Massachusetts

ONLY YOU, YOUR BOAT, AND THE SEA

As you may have noticed, having an Iguana will make you forget the usual constraints of a traditional boat. Equally at ease on sea or on land. 

What about its performance as a boat?

Iguana Yachts’ innovation isn’t only relying on land mobility. It is a combination of this new mobility with high boating performance. The Iguana team is above all composed of people passionate about boats. They will never make concessions on the performance of Iguana Yachts. When you’ll reach speeds of 55 mph with your Iguana, you’ll rapidly forget your misconceptions about amphibious boats.

Iguana Commuter on sea

“On evenings, I head for the coast. Even when it’s cloudy, I jump on the Iguana and clear my head with some much needed fresh air. Within minutes I’m in my boat and on the water hitting 40 mph, leaving the shore behind me.”

Franck in Corsica

Throughout the world, Iguana owners are tasting freedom more than others. They are living unique moments, alone or with their family while respecting the constraints given by the current situation.

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IGUANA COUPÉ, LUXURY CRAFT AND STYLE

A stylish 9.2 m model made for beautiful journeys at sea. Complete with cabin, an integrated bimini and sun lounger; everything required for a relaxing and exquisite ride. Equipped with plenty of power, The Iguana Coupé will reach speeds of 53 mph and land ashore on all types of terrains. Ally performance and style with the Iguana Coupé. Developed to provide safe, fast, luxury transport ashore in the most stylish amphibious package.

Iguana Coupé - side view

Superyacht Quality Standard

Built using the best modern boat building practices, all materials are of the quality appropriate to the specification and superyacht industry. The hull and deck are produced using epoxy laminates, foam core and appropriate carbon fiber reinforcement to deliver a stiff and lightweight structure. The time proven amphibious mobility system is elegantly integrated into the hull using epoxy coated marine aluminum and Kevlar belt reinforcement. Finished in a marine ultra gloss and luxury upholstery appropriate for even the most discerning of clients.

Integrated Bimini

Stowed away neatly out of sight until needed. The integrated bimini pops up from under the upholstery and provides shade for the full seating area. Perfect for relaxing in or out of the midday sun or casting shade over lunchtime and drinks. Strong enough to stay deployed whilst underway and cruising, this sunshade is truly convenient.

Bimini – high position

Bimini – low position

Comfortable Sun Lounger

At the back of the Coupé a sun lounger can be stretched out. This is a major plus when the weather is nice to enjoy beautiful days at sea.  

Iguana coupe sun lounger
Iguana Coupe - sun lounger

Beautiful Day Cabin

A private day cabin with electric lockable door for privacy and security. Very comfortable and chic, the cabin can be very convenient for long journey at sea and storage. The luxurious upholstery gives a very cosy atmosphere.

Iguana Commuter tracks
Iguana Commuter console
Iguana Commuter ladder
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FIRST DIESEL OUTBOARD ENGINE ON AN IGUANA COMMUTER

Over the last couple of weeks, a Commuter is requiring special attention from our manufacturing team in our French factory based in Caen, Normandy. A worldwide technological innovation is added to the most sophisticated amphibious model of Iguana Yachts’ range. For the first time in France, a boat is being equipped with a diesel outboard engine of 300 HP. This innovation brings together technology, economy, and ecology: a great step ahead for the shipping industry.

diesel engines on an Iguana Commuter

Where does this diesel outboard engine comes from?

The CXO300 is a diesel outboard engine. It is a quiet engine offering high-performance in direct competition to 300 HP gasoline engines. These first diesel outboard engines are offering three main advantages:

  • One type of fuel onboard: Superyachts’ owners may have instantly noticed that with diesel engines for their yacht tender, they don’t need to transport gasoline onboard and they can explore further.
  • Consumption: these new diesel engines are consuming 25% less than an equivalent gasoline engine. Energy-efficient habits that are beneficial to the environment and easy on the wallet.
  • Lifetime: multiplied by three compared to an equivalent gasoline engine. Need less maintenance.

The production of CXO300 engines started in May in the UK and the first units were shipped in July 2020. These innovative diesel engines are distributed in the United States by Boatswain’s Locker, Texas Diesel Outboard, Innovative Diesel Technology, Ring Power, Power Products, and worldwide. The first European demonstrations took place during the Genoa International Boat Show (01-06 October 2020) in Genoa, Italy. 

Iguana Yachts is happy and proud to be part of this technological evolution. As you can see on the pictures, the diesel engine is being assembled on a light grey Iguana Commuter. Its owner is particularly delighted with this specific engine because he’ll be using his Iguana Commuter as a yacht tender, diesel is perfectly convenient for superyachts.

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IGUANA PRO AT EURONAVAL 2020

Iguana Pro attended the world leading naval defense exhibition for the 2020 online edition. The game-changing technology of the Iguana Mobility System was presented to organizations all over the world. Iguana Pro is now a reference for amphibious boats and land to sea operations. 

The new IG PRO amphibious craft was showcased: the Interceptor. A new model made for high speed interceptions and surveillance. A perfect boat for Governments, Coast Guards and Defense Agencies. 


Discover Euronaval Teaser:

Iguana Pro Interceptor running at sea
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MEET DAN & JULIE, IGUANA OWNERS IN FLORIDA

Why did you choose the Iguana?

Julie: We love boating, we used to have a boat when we lived in Pennsylvania, but now we live on the beach and we don’t have direct access to a dock. The closest dock is pretty far away from us. The hassle of having to pack up everything and drive to a dock to get to a boat just wasn’t that appealing to us. We were really looking for something that we could keep at our house in our backyard and be able to use it and take out whenever we wanted. That was not really an option until we found the Iguana.

How do you use the Iguana?

Dan: The nice thing is when we do want to use it, it only takes three or four minutes to be in the water. We use it to go to other boating areas and meet up with other boaters.

Julie: We go to sandbars with lots of boats gathering. We just pack lunch, pack a couple drinks in a cooler and take it out. It’s very easy. It just takes a few minutes to get out there. We do a lot of snorkeling and swimming. We just tie it to a mooring ball and swim around. It is really fun.

Do you see differences with the boat you used to have?

Dan: The nice thing is that it is a real boat. Some people worry that a boat that comes onto land won’t be that great. Any kind of amphibious boat usually takes away from being a good boat. And in this case, it has all the features and functions. We can do anything that a boat can do. We really feel comfortable doing anything. We’re actually planning to go on longer trips with the boat over the summer, to go to the Bahamas, places like that.

Julie: We had our other boat at a dock. It was all about packing up coolers, putting it in the back of the car, driving to the dock and getting through the gate. Getting the boat off the dock. it was a very big process. Now we might just take the boat out for two hours, it’s not a very big process. You just throw some things in a cooler and go so that’s really nice.

How was the purchasing process with Prestige Marine?

Julie: Brett and Kevin were really good throughout the entire process. They answered my phone calls and all our questions. We visited them to see the boat in person, we were pretty amazed and just went home from there. We tested it on Valentine’s Day. That was Dan’s Valentine’s Day surprise. Kevin was the first person that we reached out to. And he was very welcoming. He answered all of my questions. He didn’t dismiss anything. We were really busy sometimes, but he was very patient and made himself available whenever we needed him. Brett is very knowledgeable about the Iguana and was able to teach us how to maneuver and use it. When we are out on the boat and we have a question, I just text Kevin, and he tries to get me an answer as soon as possible within a few minutes. They’ve been really helpful.

How did the delivery go?

Julie: They brought it on a truck to our house and it was really neat. Everyone in our neighborhood was lined up on the street and looking at what was going on. They unloaded it and we took photos of it in front of our house. And then we took it right out and that was our first actual training session on the water with the boat.

How many training sessions did you have?

Dan: We practiced on land and then in the ocean. At the dealership, they showed us where everything was. They came twice here, took us out and helped us maneuver around. When they delivered the boat, they also spent a lot of time training us as well. On land, it’s very intuitive. We practiced one or two times; it is very easy to get around with it.

How often do you use it?

Julie: We go out whenever we can when it’s nice out and when Dan doesn’t have to work. It’s a fun boat. We really enjoy it. We’re glad that we found it. It’s also beautiful. Everyone always stops us and says how nice looking of a boat it is. It’s functional for a boat and it’s functional for what we need. We didn’t need a cabin or anything like that. We just wanted something that we could take around for a few hours and go snorkeling and scuba dive, and that’s perfect for us. It’s exactly what we wanted.

Dan: We just hop on right there in the garden and go down right across the sand to the ocean. It is straight down to the ocean; it is only maybe 100 feet away and you’re in the water.

"We had our other boat at dock. It was all about packing up coolers, putting it in the back of the car, driving to the dock and getting through the gate. Getting the boat off the dock. It was a very big process. Now we might just take the boat out for two hours, it's not a very big process."
Iguana owners in Florida
Julie & Dan
Owners of an Iguana Original