After the biggest aviation extravaganza in Bangalore, it's time now for the biggest boat show in the financial capital of the country.
Mumbai will host over 50 boat exhibitors with over 90-odd brands from the marine and boating industry worldwide.
The Mumbai International Boat Show between February 22 and 25 will bring global and local boat builders face-to-face with business barons, government organisations, marine infrastructure developers and high networth individuals.
This will be the first show that will bring boats on land so that visitors can "touch and feel" them.
Boat enthusiasts such as Vijay Mallya, Singhanias, and corporate houses Bajaj Group and Mahindra & Mahindra are in advanced stage of owning powered boats and yachts of different lengths.
Sources say Bajaj Group has sealed a deal for a luxury boat named, SeaRay 290 Sunspot, for an undisclosed amount.
Some corporates are toying with the idea of holding board meets in boats. "Indiabulls, Essar Group, Rahejas, Godrej Group will be rubbing shoulders at the boat show," organisers say.
"We have sent over 5,000 VIP invites for the show, which will exhibit sailboats, kayaks, motor boats, ski boats, power and luxury yachts from international brands such as Azimuts, Beneteau, Ferretti and Funseeker," says Malav Shroff, director of the show.
So what's the average price of a boat? Anuja Dutta, managing director, Marine Solutions, which is the agents for Ferretti and Pershings says, "You will get a personal motor boat starting from Rs 13 lakh (Rs 1.3 million). A luxury yacht would fetch anywhere between Rs 2.6 crore (Rs 26 million) and Rs 3.7 crore (Rs 37 million). Corporates will need at least 45 feet long yacht to conduct board meetings," she says.
"India is the last major potential leisure boating market and there is enormous scope for the show with the growing level of disposable income and increasing interest in leisure pursuits in India. New generations of wealthy Indians are turning their heads from buying top of the line luxury cars to owning private yachts", says Shroff.
