Dubai: If you have Dh100 million ($26 million) to spare, then this super yacht could be yours. But not so fast – the luxurious boat had been already booked by a very exclusive client whose identify its UAE builders declined to reveal.
Gulf Craft’s largest super yacht yet, the Majesty 155, is on track for its launch this year with bells and whistles that will make many of today’s yachts look like modest siblings.
It may not be the priciest or biggest luxury boat out there, but she’s got other things going for her: first off, this “semi-displacement” superyacht is made out of composite material.
Composites are increasingly being used in marine and aviation industries because they’re impervious to corrosion and are tougher than steel or aluminum, according to Marasi, a UAE maritime magazine. The biggest advantage of using composites, however, is reduced weight.
The luxurious Majesty 155 boat features five staterooms, including one owner’s stateroom, and fully equipped crew quarters. Other striking features include an elevator, and balconies in the owner’s stateroom and main saloon.
With an interior design based on a “barrier-free living” concept, the boat oversized windows, giving it panoramic views over the water. The aft deck design includes an aft beach club for relaxing after water sports.
The UAE has become one of world's leading yacht manufacturing hubs. Gulf Craft currently builds boats in its Umm Al Quwain shipyard. It is named one of the world’s top 10 super-yacht builders in the 2014 Global Order Book by Boat International.
Majesty 155 is now in the final stages of construction and will unveiled around the third quarter this year.
Gulf Craft’s chief executive, Erwin Bamps, sees demand for such luxury boats spiking and at a much shorter build time despite as competition toughens.
Despite the challenges, the company is pursuing a plan to invest $100 million (about Dh370 million) for a shipyard and service centre in Dubai Maritime City (DMC), said Bamps.
Investment
"That investment is happening,” Bamps said. “We felt we had to be a part of that (DMC) in order to continue our global expansion.”
Their Dubai facility is also necessary to amplify production capacity and compete beyond the Gulf as demand of yacht owners evolve. The key to growth, however, lies in customisation, said Bamps.
“Clients are spending more time with us detailing the interiors, because we build around the client rather than building around the boat and selling to the market,” he said. “And that is nice because you can actually personalize the vessels to a much larger extent this way.”
In the world of luxury boats, coming up with fresh ideas is key to keep clients hooked. “Continuous innovation is critical to the development of the UAE yacht and boat industry,” he said.
