Gulf Craft's boatyard in Umm Al Quwain is a hive of activity. Workers are putting the finishing touches to the five of the company's yachts before they set sail down the coast for the Dubai International Boat Show.
In pride of place is the Majesty 135, a 135-foot superyacht, the second of its kind in existence. Gulf Craft is the only boat maker in the UAE that makes superyachts, craft longer than 79 ft (24 metres). The first Majesty 135 is in the French Riviera but this one is likely to stay in the GCC.
Dozen of pairs of trainers are lined up along the jetty abandoned by workers going aboard wielding drills and saws. Shoes are not allowed. Inside, plastic sheeting protects the yacht's soft furnishings, plywood covers the decks and thick plastic covers the carpets, keeping the interior pristine before the show.
Despite the coverings, it is possible to ascertain that the interior is tastefully and classically done. At entry level is the main saloon. One level up is the master bedroom. Above that is the sundeck with the Jacuzzi and bar area and "toys" at the back - a dingy and two jet skis. It looks like a lot of fun could be had here.
The Gulf Craft chairman Mohammed Al Shaali comes aboard. How important to him is it that this is the second Majesty 135 that has been made?
"It's very important because ... when you do something the second time and the third time it shows how persistent you are and how serious you are about your business," he explains. "It means customers have confidence to trust the company to build a yacht for them and spend so much money."
Like many companies in the UAE that weathered the financial downturn that hit in 2008, there is a sense that Mr Al Shaali feels that Gulf Craft is in a stronger position that it was before.
This year's Dubai International Boat Show, which starts tomorrow, is a chance "to show the whole world we are here and here to stay," he says.
"After the financial crisis so many big companies in the yacht business either went under or lost business or closed down or are suffering. For us to stay and to build yachts of this size shows the company is well managed."
Gulf Craft was in the enviable position of having no debt when things started going wrong and it is vigilant about controlling expenses: the company's executives fly economy class, for example, rather than business or first class, according to Mr Al Shaali. And while the company pays the market rate for raw materials, it keeps costs down by doing as much of the manufacturing as possible in-house. All these savings are passed on to the customer, resulting in boats that cost 30 to 40 per cent less than those of their competitors.
"Maybe [the recession] helped us as a small company to grow in the international market because people at that time were counting their spending and looking for a good deal," he reflects. "We were able to give the best value because we give you the same quality and a similar boat at a lesser price. This is what we call value."
The Majesty 135 costs US$16 million (Dh58.7m). The Majesty 125, which is 10 feet shorter, costs US$12.5m.
Mr Al Shaali believes that consumer confidence is returning - though it might never again reach the heady heights of pre-2008. "That was not real," he says, adding that he worries that financial markets in Europe and the United States are now being over-regulated.
In many ways, Gulf Craft is synonymous with the Dubai boat show. It is among the show's biggest exhibitors and helped to keep the show alive when tensions in the region kept other manufacturers away. He cites the year the US invaded Iraq. The show is the company's main focal point for the year and the main platform for meeting customers, suppliers, designers. In fact, Gulf Craft has invited 3,000 people to the show. Further, Mr Al Shaali says the company is already planning for the 2014 event.
Nevertheless, the Dubai boat show is an occasion to enjoy.
"This is a secret to tell you," he says. "We don't sell yachts at the boat show. We sell before or after. We go there for fun. The atmosphere is very, very nice."
lgutcher@thenational.ae
A MINECRAFT MOVIE
Director: Jared Hess
Starring: Jack Black, Jennifer Coolidge, Jason Momoa
Rating: 3/5
Formula Middle East Calendar (Formula Regional and Formula 4)
Round 1: January 17-19, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 2: January 22-23, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 3: February 7-9, Dubai Autodrome – Dubai
Round 4: February 14-16, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 5: February 25-27, Jeddah Corniche Circuit – Saudi Arabia
Keep it fun and engaging
Stuart Ritchie, director of wealth advice at AES International, says children cannot learn something overnight, so it helps to have a fun routine that keeps them engaged and interested.
“I explain to my daughter that the money I draw from an ATM or the money on my bank card doesn’t just magically appear – it’s money I have earned from my job. I show her how this works by giving her little chores around the house so she can earn pocket money,” says Mr Ritchie.
His daughter is allowed to spend half of her pocket money, while the other half goes into a bank account. When this money hits a certain milestone, Mr Ritchie rewards his daughter with a small lump sum.
He also recommends books that teach the importance of money management for children, such as The Squirrel Manifesto by Ric Edelman and Jean Edelman.
if you go
The flights
Flydubai flies to Podgorica or nearby Tivat via Sarajevo from Dh2,155 return including taxes. Turkish Airlines flies from Abu Dhabi and Dubai to Podgorica via Istanbul; alternatively, fly with Flydubai from Dubai to Belgrade and take a short flight with Montenegro Air to Podgorica. Etihad flies from Abu Dhabi to Podgorica via Belgrade. Flights cost from about Dh3,000 return including taxes. There are buses from Podgorica to Plav.
The tour
While you can apply for a permit for the route yourself, it’s best to travel with an agency that will arrange it for you. These include Zbulo in Albania (www.zbulo.org) or Zalaz in Montenegro (www.zalaz.me).
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The rules on fostering in the UAE
A foster couple or family must:
- be Muslim, Emirati and be residing in the UAE
- not be younger than 25 years old
- not have been convicted of offences or crimes involving moral turpitude
- be free of infectious diseases or psychological and mental disorders
- have the ability to support its members and the foster child financially
- undertake to treat and raise the child in a proper manner and take care of his or her health and well-being
- A single, divorced or widowed Muslim Emirati female, residing in the UAE may apply to foster a child if she is at least 30 years old and able to support the child financially
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
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More from Neighbourhood Watch
How to avoid crypto fraud
- Use unique usernames and passwords while enabling multi-factor authentication.
- Use an offline private key, a physical device that requires manual activation, whenever you access your wallet.
- Avoid suspicious social media ads promoting fraudulent schemes.
- Only invest in crypto projects that you fully understand.
- Critically assess whether a project’s promises or returns seem too good to be true.
- Only use reputable platforms that have a track record of strong regulatory compliance.
- Store funds in hardware wallets as opposed to online exchanges.
NO OTHER LAND
Director: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham, Rachel Szor, Hamdan Ballal
Stars: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham
Rating: 3.5/5
UAE Tour 2020
Stage 1: The Pointe Palm Jumeirah - Dubai Silicon Oasis, 148km
Stage 2: Hatta - Hatta Dam, 168km
Stage 3: Al Qudra Cycle Track - Jebel Hafeet, 184km
Stage 4: Zabeel Park - Dubai City Walk, 173km
Stage 5: Al Ain - Jebel Hafeet, 162km
Stage 6: Al Ruwais - Al Mirfa, 158km
Stage 7: Al Maryah Island - Abu Dhabi Breakwater, 127km
Specs
Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
Range: 400km
Power: 134bhp
Torque: 175Nm
Price: From Dh98,800
Available: Now
The specs
AT4 Ultimate, as tested
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Power: 420hp
Torque: 623Nm
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Price: From Dh330,800 (Elevation: Dh236,400; AT4: Dh286,800; Denali: Dh345,800)
On sale: Now
The White Lotus: Season three
Creator: Mike White
Starring: Walton Goggins, Jason Isaacs, Natasha Rothwell
Rating: 4.5/5
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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The bio
Favourite vegetable: Broccoli
Favourite food: Seafood
Favourite thing to cook: Duck l'orange
Favourite book: Give and Take by Adam Grant, one of his professors at University of Pennsylvania
Favourite place to travel: Home in Kuwait.
Favourite place in the UAE: Al Qudra lakes
How much sugar is in chocolate Easter eggs?
- The 169g Crunchie egg has 15.9g of sugar per 25g serving, working out at around 107g of sugar per egg
- The 190g Maltesers Teasers egg contains 58g of sugar per 100g for the egg and 19.6g of sugar in each of the two Teasers bars that come with it
- The 188g Smarties egg has 113g of sugar per egg and 22.8g in the tube of Smarties it contains
- The Milky Bar white chocolate Egg Hunt Pack contains eight eggs at 7.7g of sugar per egg
- The Cadbury Creme Egg contains 26g of sugar per 40g egg
Married Malala
Malala Yousafzai is enjoying married life, her father said.
The 24-year-old married Pakistan cricket executive Asser Malik last year in a small ceremony in the UK.
Ziauddin Yousafzai told The National his daughter was ‘very happy’ with her husband.
Essentials
The flights
Etihad (etihad.ae) and flydubai (flydubai.com) fly direct to Baku three times a week from Dh1,250 return, including taxes.
The stay
A seven-night “Fundamental Detox” programme at the Chenot Palace (chenotpalace.com/en) costs from €3,000 (Dh13,197) per person, including taxes, accommodation, 3 medical consultations, 2 nutritional consultations, a detox diet, a body composition analysis, a bio-energetic check-up, four Chenot bio-energetic treatments, six Chenot energetic massages, six hydro-aromatherapy treatments, six phyto-mud treatments, six hydro-jet treatments and access to the gym, indoor pool, sauna and steam room. Additional tests and treatments cost extra.
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North Pole stats
Distance covered: 160km
Temperature: -40°C
Weight of equipment: 45kg
Altitude (metres above sea level): 0
Terrain: Ice rock
South Pole stats
Distance covered: 130km
Temperature: -50°C
Weight of equipment: 50kg
Altitude (metres above sea level): 3,300
Terrain: Flat ice
Sanju
Produced: Vidhu Vinod Chopra, Rajkumar Hirani
Director: Rajkumar Hirani
Cast: Ranbir Kapoor, Vicky Kaushal, Paresh Rawal, Anushka Sharma, Manish’s Koirala, Dia Mirza, Sonam Kapoor, Jim Sarbh, Boman Irani
Rating: 3.5 stars
The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
