Yacht makers exhibiting flash vessels at this year's Dubai International Boat Show have moved to dispel the idea that only high net worth individuals can enjoy the high seas.
One executive has promised buyers can sail their own vessel away from the event for the same price as an upmarket car.
Dubai will host the 21st edition of the high-profile marine event next week - and organisers yesterday said they expect this year's showcase, which will display vessels worth a total of Dhs1 billion, to offer the latest proof of an ongoing resurgence in the UAE economy.
"As an industry barometer this year's show is set to demonstrate that consumer confidence has returned," said Helal Saeed Almarri, CEO of Dubai World Trade Centre.
But while the more than 750 firms in attendance will be hoping to entice one of the millionaires with a yacht habit that make the Middle East home to 60 per cent of the world's 'super yachts', one executive was yesterday keen to give hope to those of more modest means.
Erwin Bamps, chief operating officer of Ajman-based yacht manufacturer Gulf Craft, told 7DAYS: "The smallest boat we have will go for just over Dhs100,000. I am standing here talking about super yachts - that's what people like to dream about - but to be honest we sell from small car prices, just over Dhs100,000."
Throw in a few extras and that figure could swell to above Dhs200,000 he admitted, but he added: "That is what an upmarket car costs. So we believe that is definitely an option for a lot of people. Whoever is able to afford a car can afford a boat." This year's event will welcome 19 super yachts - or those vessels which are more than 24 metres in length. Bamps admitted that the largest vessel his firm sells comes with a $6 million price tag. You better budget 10 per cent of a yacht's price per year for fuel and other costs too, he said.
But organisers were keen to stress that while the biggest boats may be strictly for the super-rich, the yacht industry makes a strong contribution to the UAE economy as a whole. Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry says 1,360 of its member firms are in the maritime industry. Henk Erenstein, of European yacht builder VanDutch, says there's no point in getting
envious of those of the bigger boats.
"I always said that when I was younger I had a little wooden boat in the Netherlands and maybe I had more fun on that than on the super yachts. Everything that is floating is giving people pleasure and you don't see much envy on the water," he said.
© 7Days 2013
