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Volvo Lift off

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Gulf Craft’s newest entry-level

yacht and previous BOME cover

model, the Majesty 48, has arrived

in Thailand. An accomplished

international exporter, Gulf Craft’s

23-year relationship with South

East Asian markets has seen

sales of its range of Oryx sport

cruisers, Silvercraft fishing and

family boats grow strongly since

1992. In recent years, demand
      for the Majesty Yachts range has
      ignited, with larger models such
      as the Majesty 88 and Majesty 56
      being snapped up. The owner of
      Thailand’s first Majesty 48 is an
      existing customer coming through

Gulf Craft’s regional dealer, Go

Boating Thailand, which underlines

Gulf Craft’s loyal local client-base

in Thailand.

With its fresh, contemporary

interior design, a social cockpit

area and spacious fly-bridge, the

Majesty 48 can be comfortably

owner-managed and has been

designed to entice first-time yacht

buyers. “We are very confident

that the Majesty 48 will grow into

one of our most popular models

in Thailand, as recent market

intelligence shows that demand

for entry-level yachts is growing

in the country in line with growing

leisure spending,” said Erwin

Bamps, Chief Executive Officer of

Gulf Craft. In a recently released

report by the Royal Bank of Canada

and Cap Gemini SA, Thailand’s

HNWIs increased their wealth by

11.2% from a year earlier to $

billion. The number of millionaires

in Thailand rose by 9.2% to 80,

while “ultra” high-net-worth

(UHNW) individuals rose 2% to

527. Looking ahead Thailand is
     expected to add nearly 300 UNHW
     individuals (a 52% increase) by


528. According to Bamps, the
     increase in UHNWIs who desire
     a small yacht for quick family

outings and entertaining friends

and colleagues is pushing interest

in smaller, fully-equipped, easy-

to-manage models such as the

Majesty 48. “Gulf Craft introduced

this yacht to the international

market earlier this year and the

feedback has been very positive

with several clients describing it as

the perfect family-fit. The three-

cabin layout features a spacious

flybridge, a full-beam master suite,

saloon dining, galley kitchen and

concealed crew accommodation,

making it an excellent choice for

frequent outings,” said Bamps.

http://www.gulfcraftinc.com

Following an extensive refit and
a new livery, the two Volvo 60s
that have been under the care and
successful promotion of Eden
Yachting are being re-launched by
their owners, Pindar Sailing Partners.
Based at Emirates Palace Marina
in Abu Dhabi, but also working in
partnership with Eden Yachting’s
experienced corporate sailing
program in Dubai, under the new
guidance of geneal manager Philippe
Falle, the experienced offshore
sailor, yachtmaster examiner and
RORC committee member, expect
to see the two huge mainsails out
a lot more competing in events and
offering private and corporate sailing
opportunities.
[email protected]

Thai-bound for

Majesty 48

Next month, Dubai Offshore Sailing

Club is hosting the Dubai Race Week

from 13th-16th February. This four-

day Keelboat open regatta is usually

massively supported regionally,

taking to a new level where the old

Maktoum Sailing Trophy left off. With

NOR and entry forms still pending

as we went to press, expect a likely

format of three days of short course

fleet racing and 1 long day race, with

an international race officer and

International Judges in attendance

to take the heat off the DOSC racing

committee if the competition is

fierce. As an open regatta, both IRC

and Club class racers should catch up

with progress on the DOSC website

and facebook page.

http://www.dosc.ae

Racing Dates

Photo: J.P Williams