With its lean aerodynamic profile, dynamic good looks and top-notch performance, the Mangusta 105' luxury motor yacht is really something to behold. Mohamed Hairul Borhan reports
Imagine cruising the turquoise waters of the Arabian Gulf at a speed in excess of 30 knots with no engine vibration to rattle the tranquil experience of being out in the open ocean, while cocooned in luxury. The 31.5 metres Mangusta 105', offers these luxuries as standard, together with a whole bevy of customisation options.
The interior of the single hull motor yacht is predominantly decked out in leather and wood, and is absolutely devoid of any plastic and paint, adding further class to the already impressive array of luxury fittings abundantly lavished on the cabin. From mahogany tables and desks, to marble washing basins and cabinet tops; the cabin is akin to walking through a luxury furniture showroom.
Hisham Abushakra, regional sales manager for the Rodriguez Group, said, "If a fitting is the best of its type, you will most probably find it here in the 105'. If it is not, we can always fit it according to our client's taste. That is our commitment to ensure the highest level of luxury to our clients."
As with its sisters in the Mangusta family, the 105' is widely recognised as the benchmark for the large open series yacht, allying speed and technology with ease of use. They result from the long collaboration between the Rodriguez Group, which introduced the line in 1986, and the Overmarine shipyard located in Italy, which was founded and run by the Balducci family. Since then, more than 180 units from the Mangusta family have been sold.
There are only 31 Mangusta 105' yachts currently in use around the world. This particular one, docked in the Dubai International Maritime Centre, has the number 29 emblazoned on its hull, affirming its status as one of the newer 105's.
It has four cabins; a master bedroom, two guest rooms and even a VIP guest cabin, which features a double bed, dressing table, sofa, and an en-suite shower. There are even walk-in wardrobes and washrooms. As with the deck, nothing but the finest quality materials are used for the cabins.
Those who are looking to cook a hearty meal while in the middle of the sea will not be disappointed. The 105' comes with everything including the kitchen sink: cooks will have a microwave, hobs and all the mod-cons at their disposal.
With so many creature comforts packed into this front-anchored motor yacht, it is easy to forget the technology and numerous automatic systems that make this boat simple to operate. Some of these systems include an automatic water treatment facility and sewage discharge system. These systems make it easy to operate the yacht and it only takes six crew members to make a journey an unforgettable experience.
Powering the motor yacht are two Mercedes MTU 16 cylinders engines generating 2,400 horsepower each. The transmission is provided using Rolls-Royce Kamewa jet drives, which generate 63SII. The engines have a fuel capacity of 14,000 litres and water capacity of 2,000 litres.
Abushakra said, "At $200,000 to $300,000 each, the 105's engines are very pricy. One engine alone can actually be enough to buy a small boat. However we still use the Mercedes engines and the Rolls-Royce Kamewa jet drives transmission because the systems do not generate any vibrations, they provide an excellent performance at high speed, which is reliable and easy to maintain."
But even with all this power, the 105' has a relatively short travelling distance of 300 to 350 nautical miles, further emphasising its function as a luxury pleasure craft.
Even the hull of the boat was designed with comfort in mind. Made from a single big piece of compressed fibre-glass, instead of a sandwich panel, the hull does not have any joints and contains three bulkheads. "This design helps to further minimise vibrations throughout the yacht," Abushakra said.
A floating mansion, the Mangusta 105' is the perfect mega yacht in terms of size and speed to burn. It is an individual masterpiece, built to exceed the expectations of the discerning owner.
Abushakra said, "The Mangusta range is made according to the strictest and highest standards. Our boats can be registered anywhere in the world, including France, which is notorious for being the most particular about standards."
He said the company's main market was the Mediterranean but added that the MENA region is a fast growing market and is beginning to be an important one for the Rodriguez Group. The company first signalled its intention to penetrate the MENA market by participating in the Dubai International Boat Show two years ago. It received its trade license six months later.
Abushakra said, "We know our yachts are not cheap. Our target is the high niche market and there is demand for these yachts here in this region even though the yachts we made cost around $7.9 million to $50.8 million each. That is also why we are willing to spend $127,000 just to ship the yacht all the way from France to Dubai."
He added that there are already orders in place from the region but declined to elaborate further. Nonetheless, he added that some of the countries with the highest potential markets are the UAE, followed by Qatar and Saudi Arabia.
Stephen Gallagher, a marine engineer, who has worked in places as far apart as the Azores, the Caribbean and the North Atlantic said, "It goes without saying that these types of boat are not run of the mill, even though there are a lot more of them to be seen than ever before. It is very hard to describe any luxury destination as exclusive if it does not have at least a dozen of them moored alongside yachts flying a royal ensign."
Islamic Business and Finance 2008
