Perks of ownership boost UAE boat sector
The climate here invites people to spend more time on the beach and on the water.”
“People who have waterfront properties overlooking the marina will be increasingly enticed to buy a boat of their own,” he added. “There is an increasing number of waterbased fun things to do in the UAE and the surrounding countries, all the way from Ras Al Khaimah and Musandam to Abu Dhabi and Bahrain. There are more and more connected marinas in the region where it is no longer an expedition to go from one place to another.”
Reports show that boat sales make up more than a third of all purchases at the DIBS. Bitcoin investors looking to purchase a boat might be interested in an exclusive new addition to the event, as cryptocurrency makes its debut at the show. Burgess Yachts is accepting payment in Bitcoin for its 37-metre Nordic Star, built by Italian company CRM. The classic yacht has played host to some of the greatest celebrities in the world, including Frank Sinatra during its time.
Another eye-catching attraction that drew a steady stream of visitors was the world’s first ‘flying yacht’. Built in the UAE by Enata, the Foiler yacht ‘flies’ up to 1.5 metres above the water using hydrofoil technology to create a smooth ride at speeds of up to 40 knots. Its two 320hp hybrid engines reduces overall fuel consumption by 20 per cent compared to a traditional yacht.
“You can never say that you will be seasick on this boat, because the faster it goes, the more stable it is,” an official at the event explained.
Elsewhere, Florida-based Triton Submarines is showcasing its yachtbased high-tech manned submersibles. Triton’s submarines, which were used in the making of the BBC’s ‘Blue Planet 2’ series, are attracting a lot of attention from the region’s explorers.
“This year Triton will showcase our best-selling model, the 3300/3 MKII submarine, which are currently undertaking trips, scientific research and documentary film missions around the world,” said Patrick Lahey, co-founder and managing partner of Triton Submarines. “The versatility of our submersibles means the profile of Triton owners range from individuals seeking to dramatically extend their yachting experience with unique adventures, through to organisations conducting oceanographic research.”
— rohma@khaleejtimes.com