UAE yacht builder now ranked with world elite

And the Dubai International Boat Show will be the launching pad to a new realm of product range and market penetration for the company, as it introduces a series of new models, new designs, and new technology.

Speaking at a media briefing on the eve of the boat show, chairman Mohammed Al Shaali said that Gulf Craft has secured unique status as one of only a handful of yacht builders in the world with the skill and capacity to produce glass-fibre hulled luxury vessels of more than 100 feet in length.

Since launching its top-of the-range Majesty Yachts brand at last year's Dubai boat show, it has taken extensive orders from international clients seeking super-luxury yachts that are also excellent value for money.

Although Gulf Craft Inc began life building small pleasure craft, it is now a mainstream producer of multi-deck masterpieces where neither expense nor effort are spared in setting the definitive 'state of the art' standard for ocean-going luxury.

The company has annual production capacity for about 250 vessels of up to145 feet overall length, and its yachts are now found in virtually every marina in the world - from the glamour harbours of Cannes and Nice, Florida to Fremantle, Cape Town to Oslo, and beyond.

It is about to make delivery of its first Majesty 125, and a Majesty 145 - the biggest super-luxury yacht to be built in the Middle East - is now at an advanced stage of design and production-planning.

"Our products are very price-competitive because of the UAE's business-friendly economic structure and because we also maintain the exceptional standards of quality that elite yacht owners always insist on having," the Gulf Craft chairman said.

"Unlike many competitors, Gulf Craft is able to give clients a whole array of top-of-the-line equipment as standard fixtures and not optional extras, while offering exceptional flexibility in accommodating personal specifications. Other than variations that affect the structural integrity of the yachts, clients can select from a wide choice of interior layouts, configuration, and materials.

"With state-of-the-art navigation instruments, advanced monitoring systems, and twin diesel engines, Majesty Yachts' high-powered performance can handle the most extreme weather conditions.

"Aesthetically, the yachts are equally impressive - with lavish use of Italian marble, natural leather and 24 carat gold-plated fittings."

Gulf Craft is the biggest single exhibitor at the Dubai boat show, displaying 13 vessels from 31 feet to 118 feet in overall length. Topping the bill is the Majesty Yachts range, represented by five vessels (two all-new and three new 2005 models) led by the flagship Majesty 118.

The Majesty 50 and 61 footers are all-new and make their public debut in Dubai. The Majesty 66, 75, and 118 are new 2005 models, with added features from previous editions.

For 2005, the style and elegance that typify the Majesty 118 have been refined even further. Architecture and design have been harmonised to give an even more spacious and luxurious interior configuration, with an exceptional level of workmanship and overall finishing.

The all-new Majesty Yachts 50-footer is designed and styled to the same luxurious standards that are synonymous with Gulf Craft Inc. Like its sister ship, the all-new Majesty Yachts 61, it features owner's and master's cabins, guest cabins, crew cabins, saloon, dinette, and galley. Entertainment facilities include a home theatre system with 32-inch LCD screen, VCR, and audio.

Gulf Craft is also launching its Oryx Sport Cruiser 40 at the Dubai show, as well as the Touring 40 which can carry 37 people including pilot and co-pilot.

All the yachts on display at the show are built at the company's premises in Umm Al-Qaiwain that now extend to 43,000 square metres, with 11,600 square metres of covered workshops, and more than 450 highly-skilled employees.

"In an economy that is largely dependent on primary resources, we are proud to have been able to create a business that is virtually unique by UAE standards - a skilled manufacturing operation that competes successfully with the best the world has to offer," the Gulf Craft chairman said.

"We have demonstrated that the UAE has the skills and the capacity to design and deliver high-value and high-technology products, and we look forward to building on these achievements."