Should I buy a yacht or not?
Introduction
One of the fantasies of every person who lives in Dubai is to buy a personal yacht. I immigrated to Dubai in 2009, and from the moment I arrived in this country, the splendor of the yacht that was in the Marina Park parking lot caught my eye. At that time a yacht club had opened in the marina and as I was interested in owning my own yacht I would go there to get information as there was no website to get that information at the time. earned. Needless to say, that place was closed.
In the rest of this article, I want to show you what points you should pay attention to before buying a yacht and what hidden costs are waiting for you because buying a boat is only a small part of the story and behind it there are many hidden costs that you should know I will also share with you information such as types of license plates for boats, required documents and licenses.
Table of content
- Boat
- Introducing Different Boat and Yacht
- Yacht
- Fishing Boat
- Commercial Boat
- Boat Registration
- Type of the Plaque
- Boat and Yacht Parking in Dubai
- Cost of yacht parking lot
- Boat Trolly rules and regulation
- Do I need captain for my Boat?
- How many yacht crew do I need?
- What is the salary of a yacht captain and crew in Dubai?
- Do you need a license to drive a yacht?
- How much does it cost to get a driving yacht license?
- What is the validity of a yacht driving license in Dubai?
- Now, Should I buy a yacht or not? Or should I rent a yacht?
Boat or Yacht :
The world of boats is very big and complicated, there are different models of boats and ships in the world. Many companies are producing and building boats and cruise ships, even China has entered the field, but what is the difference between them?
Introducing Different Boat and Yacht
There are many different types of boats, all of which are finely designed to fulfill specific functions and participate in particular activities. Considering aspects like their size, shape, and intended use, these boats can be categorized in a wide sense.
Rowboats
Small boats driven by oars, often used for leisurely rowing on calm seas.
Dinghies
Open, small boats that are frequently employed for short-distance or as tenders for bigger ones
Sailboats
Boats driven mostly by sails. They are made in many different styles, such as schooners, catamarans, and sloops.
Motorboats
Boats powered by internal combustion engines, ranging from tiny outboard motorboats to larger cabin cruisers and yachts.
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Yachts
Small, fast boats designed for speed and agility, often used for water sports and recreational activities.
Fishing Boats
Speedboats
Small, swift boats with an agile design are frequently employed for leisure and water sports.
Catamarans
Multi-hulled boats having two parallel hulls. Catamarans are recognized for their stability and speed and can be propelled by engine or sail.
Inflatable Boats
boats with inflatable pontoons or tubes, frequently composed of PVC or rubber They serve a variety of functions and are both portable and adaptable.
Boat and Yacht Registration In Dubai:
Please be aware that any motorized water vehicle must be registered at the Dubai Maritime Authority.
You need different documents to get a boat license in Dubai. Please note that when buying a boat, you need to get a bunch of documents from the previous owner.
Obtaining a boat license will be done in three stages: the first stage of online application registration on the DMA website, the second stage of inspection and the third stage of license issuance.
The documents required for private and commercial boats are different, and here I will explain the documents for private boats.
Required Documents for Private Boat Registration:
- Valid Emirates ID card and passport copy for UAE citizens, or copy of Emirates ID card, passport and UAE residence visa
- Copy of marine craft builder certificate Or Copy of proof of ownership document
- Copy of the marine craft cancellation certificate.
- Copy of sale agreement attested by the authorized entity.
- Copy of confirmation certificate from approved supplier to license radio communication devices (VHF) applicable for pleasure marine crafts more than (35) feet (10.67 meter).
- Copy of environment specifications certificate issued by Emirates Authority for Standardization and Metrology (ESMA), for the new Petrol Outboard marine engines.
- Copy of mortgaged marine craft deed between the mortgagor and the mortgagee if applicable.
- Copy of stability booklet for all marine crafts, licensed to carry more than 12 passengers, regardless of type or structure material.
- Copy of UAE yacht code certificates if the Load Line Length of the marine craft.
Type of the Boat Plaque:
Maybe you have seen numbers on every boat, this is the same boat license plate, which is a unique number and consists of 2 letters.
The first letter indicates that emirate or city, for example Dubai starts with D or Abu Dhabi starts with A.
The second letter can be one of the following three:
The letter T stands for Tourism
The letter P stands for Private
The letter C is for Commercial
For example, in the photo above, DT 1443 indicates that the boat is registered in Dubai and is used for tourism.
Boat and Yacht Parking in Dubai
In Dubai, marinas and yacht clubs are usually the places to arrange for boat parking or berthing. Private yachts and boats can be accommodated at a number of marinas and berthing facilities in Dubai. These are a few of Dubai’s well-known yacht clubs and marinas.
Yacht parking in Dubai
- Dubai Marina Yacht Club: Located in the heart of Dubai Marina, it offers berthing services for various-sized yachts
- Dubai Creek Marina: Situated near the historic Dubai Creek, this marina provides facilities for yachts and boats.
- Dubai Offshore Sailing Club: Located on the beach at Umm Suqeim, it offers facilities for both sailors and power boaters.
- Jebel Ali Golf Resort and Spa Marina: This marina is part of the Jebel Ali Resort and provides berthing services for yachts.
- Yacht Club at Palm Jumeirah: Some of the residential developments on Palm Jumeirah have their own yacht clubs and marinas.
- Emirates Palace Marina: Located in Abu Dhabi, it’s a luxury marina that caters to yachts and superyachts.
- Dubai Harbour: The Dubai Harbour project includes plans for a new marina and cruise terminal. Check for updates on its development.
- Al Seef Marina: Situated along Dubai Creek, it offers berthing services for boats and yachts.
- Mina Rashid Marina: Known for its cruise terminal, Mina Rashid also provides berthing services for private boats and yachts.
Please be aware that marinas may differ in what amenities, services, and berthing spaces are available. It is thus best to get in touch with the marinas directly to find out more about their policies regarding yacht parking, availability, and any special needs they may have. Furthermore, since my previous update, there could have been new improvements or modifications to the marina’s amenities; thus, it’s advisable to confirm the most recent details with the marina management or local authorities.
Cost of yacht parking lot in Dubai
Normally, the cost of berthing boats all over the world is determined based on the size of your boat.
Of course, different piers in Dubai have different price ranges.
The table below shows the average price of berthing and joining in Dubai:
*Please keep in mind that the prices below are based on the latest updates from Marina Club and it is rumored that you will see more prices upon inquiry.
Private Boat
| Breath Size (meters) | Anuall Fee |
|---|---|
| ≤6 to 13 meters | 3650 AED |
| 13.01 to 18 meters | 4100 AED |
| 18.01 to 22 meters | 5150 AED |
| 22.01 to 26 meters | 5450 AED |
| 26.01 to 30 meters | 5650 AED |
| 30.01 to 60 meters | 5800 AED |
Commercial Boat
| Breath Size (meters) | Anuall Fee |
|---|---|
| ≤6 to 13 meters | 5350 AED |
| 13.01 to 18 meters | 5450 AED |
| 18.01 to 22 meters | 6200 AED |
| 22.01 to 26 meters | 7500 AED |
| 26.01 to 30 meters | 7600 AED |
| 30.01 to 60 meters | 7800 AED |
Joining fee
| Boat size | Joining Fee | |
|---|---|---|
| Private | ≤6 to 60 Meters | 750 AED |
| Commercial | ≤6 to 60 Meters | 5000 AED |
Boat Trailers rules and regulation in Dubai:
If your boat is portable and you want to transport it with your car through a trailer, you need to get a license plate for the trailer, which is an easy process. Go to the link below and apply online through the RTA website
Process:
- To register the trailer or semi-trailer at the service center, the customer brings in the necessary paperwork.
- Engraved on the chassis number is After an inspection, license plates are granted for the trailer and semi-trailer.
- The client pays the necessary fees.
- The certificate of technical inspection is given to the buyer.
Service Fee:
- 150 AED trailer and semi-trailer inspection
- 150 AED chassis number engraving
- 100 AED trailer and semi-trailer re-inspection
- +20 AED Knowledge and Innovation fees.
Do I need captain for my Boat?
Depending on the type of your boat, the conditions are different. If your boat is private or for tourist companies, the conditions will be different.
It is known that the boats that are working for tourist companies need a captain and a crew to help the captain.
But if your boat is private, the owner of the boat must pass the necessary courses and obtain the necessary licenses. If your boat is smaller than 12 meters, you must have a crew who is at least 16 years old, and this person also needs to go through training courses. Please note that all the boat crew must be registered and introduced in the system.
Also, if your yacht is between 12 and 18 meters, your crew must be at least 18 years old.
Required documents :
- Application form
- Personal photograph with white background
- Emirates ID card and passport copy (for residents of the UAE)
- Residence visa and passport copy (for expatriates)
- Medical fitness certificate
- Qualifying courses completion certificate or equivalent certificate issued by DMCA
| License | Fees | Validity |
|---|---|---|
| Pleasure Marine Craft Driving License | 620 AED | 5 Years |
| Commercial Marine Craft Driving License | 920 AED | 5 Years |
| Marine Boat Driving License | 920 AED | 5 Years |
| Marine Pilot Permit | 920 AED | 5 Years |
Now, Should I buy a yacht or not? Or should I rent a yacht?
It’s very difficult to answer this question because I can’t make the decision for you or I don’t know your account balance, but my experience tells me that before buying a yacht or any type of boat that needs a lot of care and maintenance, be careful. do.
Imagine that in addition to high parking fees, you also face expenses such as crew and maintenance. Boat breakdowns in Dubai are inevitable due to the excessive saltiness of the water, and the parts that are constantly in the water require periodic washing, which is very expensive to remove the boat from the water and wash it.
Or the cost of repairing engines or interior decorative parts is very high. Imagine that part of the interior furniture of the yacht is damaged or the handles of certain parts are broken, since such equipment only has original spare parts, so you have to get them from the boat manufacturer, which must be expensive.
My suggestion to you is to rent a yacht several times and pay attention to all points during the time of use from the moment of arrival to departure, what works are done after that, maybe you will be more careful in the final decision. A
On the other hand, the hourly rental price of a yacht in Dubai is around 400 to 800 dirhams, and you can experience the same pleasure by renting for several hours and you don’t need to be involved in high maintenance costs, licenses, and salaries of the captain and crew.
