Dubai: Fancy riding a dolphin? How about a whale or a shark?
Well, head straight to Rixos The Palm or The Beach by Seabreeze where a customised seabreacher beckons.
Unique creations introduced by Water Adventure Dubai, these watercraft have become all the rage among residents and tourists for the rip-roaring rides they offer in the Arabian Sea.
“The seabreacher, also known as dolphin boat or shark boat, is the most advanced submersible watercraft to come to Dubai. It is powered by a 260-horsepower supercharged engine that enables the vessel to reach a top speed of 88.5km/h on the surface and 38km/h below. When you breach the water’s surface during these high-speed dives, you can launch the entire 18 foot length of the craft out of the water,” said a Water Adventure spokesperson.
Ultimate blend
She said the seabreacher combines the hydrodynamics of marine mammals and extreme power boating to deliver a machine that visually appears like a shark, moves like an exotic sports car, and feels like manoeuvring in a fighter jet.
“Looking through the F-16 fighter-grade glass, you will see the sky disappear as the driver descends into a dive only to breach the surface and launch the entire vessel in the air. Tight turns and top speeds all at a low centre of gravity and this trip will certainly get your heart pumping,” she said.
The seabreacher, according to her, represents a dramatic breakthrough in recreational boating and each watercraft is hand-built to the customer’s desired specifications. It is available in different models like shark style X model, killer whale Y model and dolphin style Z model, each variant capable of accommodating two people at a time – a pilot and a passenger.
“Each seabreacher is a unique creation which customers can select from a vast array of individualised options. The organic lines of the vessel’s sculpted body present an unforgettable sight, like the twisted union of a marine mammal and a high performance fighter jet. The acrylic canopy and underwater view ports give the pilot and passenger a near 360 degree view as they fly through the water at breathtaking speed,” said the spokesperson.
Axis of control
Manufactured in the US, the seabreacher operates more like an aircraft with three axis of control – pitch, roll and yaw. This allows the vessel to carve left and right, jump over, dive under and cut though the waves. The latest model is even capable of 360 degree barrel rolls on the water, the spokesperson said.
She said no swimming skills are required to use the sea-breacher. Both the pilot and passenger have to wear a life jacket and helmet to avoid any head damage during the ride.
The pilot is provided by Water Adventure Dubai, and anyone who wants to drive it needs to be certified.
Riders have to be in good physical and mental health, complete a liability release waiver and be accompanied by a parent/guardian if they are younger than 18.
The minimum age for participants is 13 years and the maximum weight 130kg. The upper limit for the waist size is 48 inches and height is seven feet. Pregnant women and those with heart conditions cannot get on board.
Charges range from Dh500 for 15 minutes per person to Dh2,400 for 30 minutes for a group of four.
