"It's a family business in the US – everyone has pride in producing the boats. Here, when we show people around, they're treated as one of the family," says Sheikh Sultan.

Trade Wind Trading imports the boats to the Middle East – and they don't come cheap.

However, you don't have to be awash with cash to sail a Bluewater boat from Dubai, you could always rent them: they are available to hire from around Dh2,200 per hour. "You don't need to pay Dh4 to 5m to have the luxury. We charter it so that everyone can have this experience," says Sheikh Sultan.

"You can go from here, go around the Palm, and look [across to] Manhattan – sorry, I mean Dubai..." he says. "You can also go west towards Abu Dhabi or northwest towards Qatar.

"You can't go on high seas, but you could go to the top of Oman, and even all the way to Goa." So where is his favourite place to go? "Wherever there is fish," he says. "The Arab sea is beautiful for game fishing."

At the recently concluded Dubai International Boat Show, a 56ft yacht was on display, but Sheikh Sultan plans to import larger models in the future. "I'm bringing [the larger] boat for new business in the Middle East – conferences, new meetings, anything. There is a big demand: for BMW, for example, we did [an event] for 48 people."

Sheikh Sultan is certainly enthusiastic about sailing. "One of the problems of this business is that it's so addictive. I gave it up for 20-30 years, but I came back. When did I first fall in love with it? From the first time I saw The Old Man and the Sea."

One of the unique aspects of the Bluewater yachts is the stairs at the front of the vessel. It means you can literally park up at the beach and wander onshore.

The yachts are custom-built to meet Gulf specifications, with the electrics converted to 220v, powerful air conditioning, and a special engine design to withstand the high temperatures. And don't forget the special grill which allows budding skippers to prepare Arabian grilled cuisine.

And the attraction of being out at sea? As Sheikh Sultan says, "whatever problem you have, it's like you left it behind. And it's better to have a boat than to get stuck in traffic..."

- It will set you back Dh8,500 to hire a 56ft Bluewater boat for five hours, rising to Dh22,000 for 24 hours. A larger 62ft, three-cabin yacht – which is big enough to hold 23 people on board – costs Dh10,000 for five hours or Dh24,000 for the day. Visit www.bluewater.ae

By Ben Flanagan
May 10, 2008
Business 24/7
www.business24-7.ae