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It's a lifestyle — an expensive one at that. Unabashed and untouched by the global economic recession, Dubai's yachting culture is cruising smoothly, taking with it a niche and a growing number of keen yachters. Sample this: Around 204 yachts were parked in Dubai Marina in 2007. By 2008, there were another 134 of them. Today, the figure has touched nearly 460, marking a steady increase in the number of yacht owners. The 3.5km-long Dubai Marina, comprising the Club House Marina, East Marina, Mall Marina and West Bay, is the largest yachting dock in the GCC by virtue of the number of boats docked there. It also has the highest number of members. All the boats are managed by the Dubai Marina Yacht Club (DMYC), an operating unit of Emaar Hospitality Group. Article continues below Speaking to XPRESS, Phil Blake, Senior Operations Manager, DMYC, said: "There is a strong demand for our berths. In fact, it's great that we have been able to maintain the number of yachts even in this economically challenging time." "Yachting is a spontaneous sport. One may just decide to take the boat to water in a second. One of the biggest advantages of Dubai Marina is its proximity to the boat owner's home. Most owners reside five minutes from the marina and can, therefore, take their boats out whenever they like. A lot of our [club members] can literally watch their boats from their apartments and villas." A 30-foot cruiser in Dubai can cost between Dh200,000 and Dh1 million, depending on whether it's new or second-hand. A brand new 50-foot yacht can be picked up for between Dh1.5 million and Dh5 million. Some of the other charges that a boat owner needs to shell out are: Dh7,000 refundable deposit for a transponder (transmitter-responder) to be fitted into the boat, Dh500 as boat registration charges and Dh8,000 as insurance. Maintenance costs include an average of Dh5,000 per annum for hull anti-fouling and between Dh5,000 and Dh10,000 per annum for engine servicing. Berthing costs at Dubai Marina too run into thousands of dirhams depending on the size of the boat. For a 26-foot berth, the Club House Marina charges around Dh33,400 per annum. A larger berth — 102 feet — may cost Dh185,600 per annum. A similar berth size in East Marina costs Dh147,300. A standard one-time joining fee of Dh18,000 per annum is charged by the DMYC. All yacht owners wishing to park their boats in the marina have to become members of DMYC. Bruce Harfield, a British yacht owner, said: "It is an expensive hobby, but boating gives me a real sense of adventure that no other activity does. It's not about glamour." He said although one does not require experience to take a boat out into the waters, it is wise to take a course with a professional training school for those with no prior experience. "The boat insurer may also require a prior experience or attendance of a recognised marine course." For Paul Males, another British yacht owner in Dubai Marina, a typical day on the boat includes a 30- to 45-minute run along the coastline to keep his engine going, and clean the boat of any marine growth. "Anchoring in a sheltered bay opposite Westin Hotel or Jumeirah Beach Park, having a barbecue on the boat and then returning at night to berth it in Dubai Marina is a perfect day spent with my boat. Occasionally, I use the boat for water-skiing and fishing," Males said. "When you take friends out in your boat, it gives them a different perspective of Dubai — one that they don't get to see on land." Boat rallies Increasingly, popular amongst avid yacht owners in Dubai are the rallies and seminars organised by DMYC. In January last year, yacht members did a Jebel Ali Resort Rally for a day. In May, they participated in the Sir Bu Na'air Island Rally for two days to observe the Al Gaffal Dhow race comprising 100 dhows. In September, they did the Ghantoot Rally for a day, the Yas Island rally for two days and the Moon Island Rally for a day in December. Yacht Club professionals usually lead the rally. "Our smaller 28-foot-long boat with twin 200HP outboards, called Gemini, is our support Rhib (rigid hull inflatable boat), carrying a dock master and mechanical and medical support systems. It pairs with the club's 43-foot-yacht Athena to provide support to all participants in the rallies. The two vessels carry between them expedition support, personnel and equipment, including emergency pumping devices, scuba diving gear, towing gear, first aid kits and other items," Blake said. Did you know? Boat registration is issued by the NTA (National Transport Authority) in association with the UAE Coast Guard. One must have an Emirates ID card to apply for registration and a no-objection certificate from the sponsor.                                                 From gulfnews