Gulf Craft, the Middle East’s and Asia’s most successful builder of luxury cruisers and superyachts, has embarked on a major campaign to further penetrate the emerging luxury yachting markets of Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore. With the help of existing regional dealers, the company is planning a major presence at the Singapore Yacht Show on April 8-10 followed by Boat Asia in Singapore on May 12-15 showcasing the Majesty 88 yacht and Majesty 56.
As a pioneer in the Asian yachting industry, Gulf Craft sees a nascent emergence of the third large yachting destination globally, after the Mediterranean and the Caribbean, defined by the yachting grounds connecting the Middle East and South East Asia cruising destinations, for tourists from outside the region, and also for yacht owners and charter operators based within the region.
Gulf Craft expands presence in Asian Luxury Yachting Market
UAE based Gulf Craft, is perfectly positioned on the edge of Asia and has been delivering products to SE-Asia since 1992, including runabouts, sport cruisers, functional passenger boats and fly-bridge motor yachts. Erwin Bamps, COO of Gulf Craft, explained; “We’ve been building up a definite presence in the SE-Asia market for nearly 20 years, but now we’re really emphasizing what Gulf Craft has to offer here. Our Majesty Yachts range of fly-bridge motor yachts has been developed and expanded over the years and we feel now is an opportune time to introduce this premium range to the region while the local appetite for luxury yachts is growing hand in hand with ambitious investments in marine infrastructure and services. Now that it is becoming feasible and attractive to keep and operate luxury yachts in SE-Asia, the high build quality of our range, the luxurious fit out and the competitive pricing suggests that the Majesty Yachts range, highlighted by the Majesty 88 and Majesty 56 at the Singapore Shows, is the ideal showcase for our increased presence in these territories.”
Gulf Craft has been building high quality FRP vessels since 1982, and the semi-custom build programme allows each yacht to be tailored to a customer’s requirement. Gulf Craft also ensure each yacht has all the very latest hi-tech equipment for entertaining, domestic comfort and navigation. The low operational cost, reliability, exceptional sea-handling, manoeuvrability and shallow draft of the Majesty Yachts range makes them ideal for the Asian waters, and the high degree of luxury and finishing quality, developed for the discerning Arabian market, will also be recognized by Asian businessmen and yacht owners who appreciate these qualities.
Forming the centerpiece of the display at the Singapore Shows will be the Majesty 88, a 26.83m yacht that Gulf Craft sees as perfect for cruising the waters of the region in ultimate luxury. The most distinctive feature of the Majesty 88 to look out for is the use of large windows on each side of the superstructure, allowing panoramic views of the surrounding seascape. There are two distinct layout choices for the saloon – one with the galley on the main deck, and the other with it in the crew quarters, freeing up the space for a stylishly curved bar area instead. Featuring a magnificent owner’s stateroom that runs the full 6.4m (21ft) beam, and generous accommodation for 8 guests and 4 crew, throughout the yacht, the beautifully constructed hardwood joinery is complimented by leather and marble accents and wide expanses of solid teak decks, giving the Majesty 88 a truly royal feel. This is a head-turning vessel that fully understands its pedigree, and is built to last.
The Majesty 56 on show in Singapore has been styled to provide the fun factor for owners and passengers alike, whilst maintaining the luxury feel that comes with being onboard a Majesty yacht. The result is a comfortable family yacht with a much larger living area than any yacht in her category, yet one with the flexibility for owner semi-customization without the price premium. Entering through the large curved patio doors into the main saloon, the open style layout and seating plan that can accommodate 10 guests indoors at ease is the central feature, complimented by large side windows for passengers to enjoy panoramic views. Outdoors on deck, the attention to detail and fun luxury living continues. The large cockpit area has a bench seat with an optional teak dining table to enjoy casual ‘Al Fresco’ dining at the aft of the Majesty 56, or to simply watch people using the spacious swim platform. The solid sea keeping and handling is second to none and is perfectly suited to the SE Asian waters.
Gulf Craft’s local dealers, Go Boating in Phuket, Thailand and Pen Marine in Penang, Malaysia, will help to co-ordinate this dynamic marketing campaign, with both the Majesty 88 and Majesty 56 visiting Thailand and Malaysia in between the two Singapore Shows, and events will include sea trials, private viewings and press events. Firmly anchored into the Asian region, Gulf Craft will also have a presence at the Asia Superyacht Conference, being held prior to the opening of the Singapore Yacht Show on 6 – 7th April. Erwin Bamps will present at the conference on the topic of “The Middle East and SE Asia – developing an interlinked yachting industry”.
In addition to the conference and exhibiting at the Singapore Yacht Show and Boat Asia, and as further proof of Gulf Craft’s growing influence in Asia, the company has been nominated at the Asian Boating Awards 2011 for the ‘Best Asian Motor Yacht Builder 81ft and Up’ with the winner to be announced early May at the Hong Kong Boat Show.
