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THE EXECUTIVE LIFE
BEAUTIFICATION	WOMEN'S SUMMER FASHION	YACHTING

YACHTING

Stressed landlubbers find sea legs, at a price

Yachting on the open sea can be one of the most peaceful retreats imaginable. A weekend amid endless blue water, pastel-rich sunsets and the tranquil lapping of the waves is a sure cure for even the most overwrought nerves. For the well-to-do, sailing on the Mediterranean or Red Sea is fast becoming a leisure activity of choice for short escapes from the week’s mundane, land-locked routine.

“It‘s a complete escape – you get on a boat and there are no crowds, no phones,” said a Canadian war correspondent working in the region. He took up the pastime after moving to Egypt last spring.

Yachting in either of Egypt’s seas – for diving, racing or just to get away from the city – has become more popular recently among “a special category of society,” according to Tewfik El Kady, general manager of Sol Y Mar Resorts & Hotels, which offers week-long diving trips on its two luxury yachts.

For El Kady, spending a holiday on a yacht is “totally different” from land-based vacations. “You’re in the middle of nowhere, between the sea and the sky. It’s peaceful, natural, relaxing... it’s a real escape,” he said.

Skilled instructors, concentrated mostly in Sharm Al Sheikh, offer sailing lessons for those feeling the lure of the waves. Shopping on line for lessons is a good idea, since courses can vary in cost from a few hundred dollars to thousands, depending on what’s included.

There’s also the “buy” option. Yachts come in a variety of makes and sizes, ranging from 31-foot day-sailers to 115-foot luxury dreadnoughts. The Canadian war correspondent, who is planning to purchase his own yacht this year, has his eyes on a 37-foot French-built Bénéteau Océanis Clipper 361. “I’m looking for a well-designed boat that is sailable by one, with room for one other person on board,” he said, noting that yachts of 50 feet or greater require two or three experienced sailors on board to be handled safely. He added that with so many boats on the market, it pays to research thoroughly before buying.

Much like taking a car out for a test drive, chartering the boat you’re interested in is a must, as minor differences in size and design can make all the difference, depending also on where you intend to do your sailing. According to enthusiasts, there are dozens of online yacht brokerages that allow you to compare prices for both new and second-hand yachts.

Prices range from the reasonable to the outrageously expensive. While the war correspondent said he expected to pay £E 925,000 for his new, mid-sized yacht, older versions of the Océanis are also available for about half that.

Luxury yachts, on the other hand, cost millions of pounds. With these floating palaces, you can expect “a five-star hotel on the water,” according to Marwa Singer, sales and marketing manager for De Birs, which builds 80-foot fiberglass luxury motor yachts in Alexandria’s Amriya free zone.

Owners of such yachts will usually hire crews to stay on board year-round to maintain the boat and provide weekend and summer getaways. Currently, there are no more than 20 luxury yachts in Egypt.

De Birs’ latest $2.25 million design pulls out all the stops: it includes an expansive upper deck, a main deck saloon with a dining area, a bar and salon with high-quality Italian furnishings and a fully equipped entertainment center with a 42-inch plasma television screen and satellite receiver. De Birs only builds between three and four yachts per year, mainly for export to clientele in Europe and the Gulf, although two of their yachts can be found at the El Gouna Marina resort in Egypt.

For most people, such maritime extravagances remain firmly in the realm of fantasy. But if you’re looking for just a taste of the seafaring high life, the Sol Y Mar travel company offers week-long Red Sea diving excursions on a luxury yacht for $1,200 a day. In addition, some 400 smaller yachts in Hurghada and another 300 in Sharm Al Sheikh are available for day-long diving safaris – a much less significant financial commitment.

For those who can navigate the high prices associated with the hobby, the only remaining hurdle is the time issue. For the Canadian war correspondent, the “biggest limit” on sailing is his hectic work schedule – but he’s addicted. He’s planning – once the current regional conflagration has settled – to squeeze in two cruises, first from Alexandria to Cyprus, then on to France. “I’m in love with it,” he gushed. “I’m trying to do it as much as I can.”

Daliah Merzaban

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