Whatever Floats Your Boat – January 2016

If you think flying business class is the best as travel can get, try setting aboard a luxury yacht which has been sailing its way through the luxe market. Riyhad Kundanmal, Sales and Marketing Director of Ocean Crest Marine tells us about this much sought after form of recreation

CAN YOU TELL US A LITTLE MORE ABOUT THE INDIAN YACHT INDUSTRY?
The yachting industry is in the nascent stages here in India. For the industry to become an “actual” industry, infrastructure is the key. With a country of over 12,000 kilometers of inland and ocean coastline, we may be one of the few countries that do not have connectivity by waterways, considering that it could well become one of the cheapest ways of transportation with no heavy expenses on roadways, bridges etc. With infrastructure in place, breakwaters, marinas and sewage marine falls, India would not only become a tourist destination for sea goers, but it would bring in foreign revenue, ensure water security, jobs for the locals and put India on the yachting destination whereby Super Yachts too could make India a hub like Monaco.

2010 SAW A LOT OF BANKERS AND CORPORATES BEING THE CONSUMERS FOR YACHTS, AS OPPOSED TO 2008 WHEN THE CONSUMERS WERE PRIMARILY INDUSTRIALISTS. WHAT IS THE CONSUMER TREND AS OF 2015?
With the world economy at an all time low, coupled with the INR/USD being affected, not to mention the raised import duty structure on boats and yachts, the trend over the last few years has not been very receptive towards necessities. Boats that were once considered a rich man’s toy, have not become a necessity for some to get from place to place due to the driving distances and traffic snarls. With the current trend ‘Make in India’, our company Ocean Crest Marine shall be dwelling into the manufacturing of suitable high speed boats for transportation and recreation and by 2016 we are hopeful that we would be able to have our brand on the water.

WHAT ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT FACETS TO CONSIDER WHILE BUYING A YACHT?
The builder’s reputation, materials, design, fuel economy, range, sea stability, reliability, engineering, amenities and certification are some of the facets to get into when considering a suitable boat or yacht. The after sales service is another key component, which must be looked into as not many companies have their own marine workshop and product display center, which in the boating industry is the key considering the logistics involved when dealing with boats and yachts.

AS A BRAND, WHAT IS YOUR MARKET STRATEGY FOR THE INDIA AND HOW DO YOU SEE IT GROWING?
Ocean Crest Marine is optimistic that after this economic downturn the economy will see a change in the wind and at that time the waters would become the key to transportation. With the country connected by waterways, the government themselves have realized the importance of its usage. Plans are underway to develop marinas for the convenience of the citizens. Our strategy is to showcase our product within our exclusive showroom for boats and yachts in Mandwa (the only one in India) and make the process and decision of buying a boat as simple as buying a car. See it, feel it, like it and sail away in it.

For the industry to become an “actual” industry, infrastructure is the key. With a country of over 12,000 kilometers of inland and ocean coastline, we may be one of the few countries that do not have connectivity by waterways

Volume 5 Issue 7