Dubai residents buy boats to fish, make memories with friends and family – News

“It takes you away from the usual hustle and bustle and allows you to reconnect with nature,” said one boat owner.

Pictures are for illustrative purposes only

When Indian entrepreneur Dr Harshad moved to the UAE eight years ago, the last thing on his mind was buying a boat. He had never even set foot on a boat before he came to this country.

However, new friendships mean new experiences. “Some friends took me out fishing and I really enjoyed it,” he said. “What was supposed to be a one-time experience quickly became one of my favorite pastimes.”

However, he soon ran into a problem – not enough chartered boats meant he had to book weeks in advance to go fishing. That’s when he decided to take the plunge and buy his own boat in Dubai. “I was in the market for a used boat and eventually found one I liked,” he said.

According to him, the process of buying a boat was a huge learning curve for him. “For example, I never knew you couldn’t get a loan on a boat,” he said. “You have to pay in one lump sum with readily available cash. Plus, figuring out parking, getting a driver’s license, understanding maintenance was all new to me.”

Once he bought the boat and started fishing regularly, Dr. Harshad never stopped. He soon bought a yacht. “Launching is a very calming activity,” he said.

“It takes you away from the usual hustle and bustle and reconnects you with nature. It’s a calming way to spend your free time after a hectic week at work. So now, at least twice a month The first time I went out on a yacht with my family. I also went fishing with my friends. I think these boats are some of the best investments I’ve ever made.” Last week, the Indian expat took his staff out for a ride .

For Emirati Marwan, boating has been a growing passion. “My father and grandfather were avid fishermen,” he said. “We live in Jumeirah, and I think anyone who grows up in Jumeirah has a fascination with boats. It’s almost like a way of life.”

Some of his favorite memories are made on the family boat. “It’s a 28-foot boat that my brothers and I take out a lot,” he said. However, ten years ago, Marwan decided to invest in a boat of his own. “I started to feel that the family boat was a bit cramped for me and my friends, so I bought my own 43-foot boat,” he said. “The best part is each of our friends can get a corner to fish without the line getting tangled.”

Marwan said he goes fishing with friends every weekend. “During the holidays, we went out to sea every day by boat,” he said. “Every trip brings back a lot of fresh fish, which we share among ourselves. At home, we cook this fresh fish for meals.”

According to Marwan, he is now considering buying a yacht so he can also take his family out on vacation. “Owning a yacht is super convenient,” he said. “It has its own toilet, which is a lifesaver when you’re taking the kids out.”