You may be at sea, but in style. This is something most visitors at the Samira Mumbai International Show would have thought. What else, with Azimut 39, Larsen Cabrio, Pershing, Kawasaki Jetski, Kayaks from Clear Blue Hawaii, Cobalt Blue Boats, and Sailboats from Jeannueau amongst others lined up for you to splurge on? Add that to the Rs 24 billion luxury goods market in India that has been steadily growing at 30-32% every year. At that rate the figure should touch the estimated Rs 50 billion mark by 2010.
?Last year was the year of jets. This is the year of yachts. You will see at least three 100ft plus boats in the harbour if not more in the coming season,? feels Aashim Mongia, managing director, West Coast Marine. Mongia is showcasing luxury yacht Majesty at the show and as I write this, Azimut 103S, an over 100ft boat worth Rs 50 crore will set sail into Mumbai waters. So, to keep your luxe quotient high, set sail.
?We have noticed that Azimut 50 is quite popular with people today. In fact, that can be said about the entire flybridge range of luxury yachts because they offer privacy as well as a distinct sense of space when you sit atop the deck and steer the boat,? says Rajat Khanna, director, Sorenstam Ventures. Wish you were there already? Just wait, your wish list might get longer. ?Ferretti Yachts like Pershing, Mochi Craft, Custom Line are amongst the most premium in the world. All of them are equipped with Anti Rolling Gyro which completely eliminates the feeling of sea sickness,? says Anju Dutta, Marine Solutions. Well, almost. It does cut the movement caused by waves by over 50%. Swipe your plastic for Rs 6 crore to get your hands on the 46ft yatch and Rs 100 crore for Ferretti Custom Line 112. If you have a low budget then check out Sorenstam?s portfolio ? at an estimated Rs 20,000, it can fetch you a good, transparent kayak.
Now for the luxury models which start at 40ft and can go up to 140ft. The super yachts have everything from discos, mini theatres and Jacuzzis, to helicopters on board. The 57ft Ferretti 550, for instance, has three cabins and three heads. The master cabin has a spacious double wardrobe and head. A small staircase from the saloon leads to the flybridge, which has been designed, with a u-shaped sofa around a low table. Enjoy the spacious sunbathing area, the dinette and the L-shaped galley. The large spoiler provides enough room for storing a 3.2 m tender or a jet ski! And if you so require, there is also a chaise-lounge alongside the controls.
By the looks of it there are plenty of takers for these. Gulu Lalvani, chairman of the Binatone Telecom Group and owner of Royal Phuket Marina, is looking to tap the emerging market ?by networking with like-minded people at the show.? He will certainly not return disappointed. ?Leisure boating is a steadily growing industry in India. We have seen a 100% increase in the number of potential buyers and sellers this year and I am sure that it will again double in the next. People who purchased boats from us a couple of years ago are now upgrading and buying bigger and more expensive yachts. And they make time for their passion ? setting sail at least twice a week,? assures Dutta. While most people in India are using it for pleasure, family and business entertainment, ?the commercial market will grow steadily as infrastructure catches up,? feels Khanna. That would probably happen when resort and hotel owners see the potential in this segment. ?Like Club Privada, India?s first yatching club,? says Mongia. Become a member of the club in case you don?t want to own a boat and yet lead a marine lifestyle. Or explore the joint ownership programme at the Show.
With the sailing season in India extending from October to May, there is definitely a lot of nautical pleasure that one can look forward to. There?s also some basic paperwork to take care of. ?You?ll have to register your boat with the merchantile marine department of the port city you are in,? says Dutta.
The Indian market is not even 1% of the world market right now ? a share that would only rise in future as the teething problems are taken care of. ?Marinas are critical to the growth of this industry and that?s precisely what we lack,? feels Mongia. Lalvani has a solution to that already ? ?be it security, parking, maintenance or logistics, RPM can take care of it all on your behalf.? Voila. Most should be ready to set the sail now.