A Curious Conversation at Sea: Exploring Yachts with My Son, Nikith, at Dubai Marina

As a Naval Architect, I’m always thrilled when my 7-year-old son, Nikith, takes an interest in my work. Recently, while sailing through Dubai Marina with my wife, we were surrounded by some of the world’s most breathtaking marine constructions like Ain Dubai, Atlantis The Palm, and the Burj Al Arab. The beauty of the skyline sparked Nikith's curiosity, and he began asking questions about yachts. It led to a fascinating conversation about the different types of yachts, their speeds, capacities, and costs. I thought it would be fun to share this moment, as it highlights not only the intricacies of yacht design but also the joy of passing on knowledge.

### Nikith’s First Question: What Is a Yacht?

As we sailed through the Marina, admiring the grandeur of Dubai’s iconic landmarks, Nikith turned to me.

Nikith: “Dad, what kind of boat is this? Is this a yacht? What makes yachts different?”

Me: “Yes, we’re on a yacht, right here at Dubai Marina, and we can see some amazing constructions like the Ain Dubai and the Burj Al Arab. Yachts are special boats designed mostly for comfort, style, and sometimes adventure. There are different kinds of yachts, each designed for specific purposes. Want to learn about the different types?”

Nikith: “Yeah! How fast do they go, and how many people can they hold?”

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### Explaining Different Types of Yachts to Nikith

#### 1. Luxury Sailing Yachts

As we sailed past the majestic Atlantis The Palm, I explained the peaceful nature of sailing yachts.

Me: “Let’s start with sailing yachts. They use the wind to move and are designed for a more peaceful experience. They don’t go as fast as motor yachts, but they offer something special: a connection to nature and the sea. One famous model is the *Beneteau Oceanis 51.1**.”*

- Speed: Around 7-10 knots under sail

- Passenger Capacity: 6 to 12 passengers

- Approximate Cost: $500,000 to $1.5 million

Nikith: “So, they’re quieter, right? How many people can sleep on them?”

Me: “Exactly. Sailing yachts are quieter because they rely on wind, though many come with small engines in case the wind isn’t strong. They typically have space for about 6 to 12 people.”

Nikith’s Mom: “That sounds relaxing. Imagine sailing near the Burj Al Arab on a peaceful evening, Namo.”

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#### 2. Luxury Motor Yachts

As we cruised through the marina, passing stunning skyscrapers, I explained motor yachts to Nikith.

Me: “Now, motor yachts are built for speed and luxury. They use engines to power through the water and can travel much faster than sailing yachts. The *Sunseeker Predator 74** is a great example.”*

- Speed: 30 to 40 knots

- Passenger Capacity: 8 to 12 passengers

- Approximate Cost: $2 million to $5 million

Nikith: “How fast is that? Faster than the sailing yachts?”

Me: “Yes, much faster! Motor yachts can reach up to 40 knots, which is about 45 miles per hour. They’re perfect for people who want to travel long distances quickly and comfortably.”

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#### 3. Superyachts

As the Ain Dubai came into view, I told Nikith about superyachts.

Me: “Now, let’s talk about *superyachts**. These are some of the most luxurious and largest yachts out there, often over 100 feet long. They have everything from pools to helipads. A famous one is the Azzam, which is 590 feet long and is owned by Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the former ruler of Abu Dhabi.”*

- Speed: 20 to 30 knots

- Passenger Capacity: 12 to 36 passengers

- Approximate Cost: $100 million to $600 million

Nikith: [Eyes wide] “Whoa! That’s like a giant floating palace! Who owns that?”

Me: “The Azzam is owned by Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan. It’s one of the longest and fastest superyachts ever built, with space for large parties and an onboard crew.”

Nikith’s Mom: “I think Nikith’s already dreaming about having his own superyacht one day, parked right here in Dubai Marina.”

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#### 4. Megayachts

As we sailed past the iconic Marina skyline, I explained megayachts.

Me: “If you think superyachts are big, *megayachts** are even bigger! These are over 200 feet long and come with features like movie theaters, gyms, and multiple decks. One of the most famous megayachts is the Eclipse, owned by Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich.”*

- Speed: 18 to 25 knots

- Passenger Capacity: 30 to 50 passengers

- Approximate Cost: $400 million to $1.5 billion

Nikith: “How many people can fit on a megayacht?”

Me: “Megayachts can hold up to 50 passengers and require a large crew to manage. They’re like mini-cities on the sea.”

Nikith: [Grinning] “That’s like having a huge mansion floating on the water!”

Nikith’s Mom: “I’m sure you’d want a movie theater on board too, right?”

Nikith: [Giggling] “Of course! That would be so cool!”

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#### 5. Explorer Yachts

As we continued our journey through Dubai’s waterways, I described explorer yachts.

Me: “Now, if you’re looking for adventure, there’s something called an *explorer yacht**. These yachts are designed to go on long trips to remote places like the Arctic or South Pacific. They’re made for exploration and can withstand tough conditions.”*

- Speed: 12 to 18 knots

- Passenger Capacity: 12 to 30 passengers

- Approximate Cost: $10 million to $150 million

Nikith: “So, can they go anywhere in the world?”

Me: “Pretty much! Explorer yachts have long-range capabilities, so they can travel thousands of miles without needing to stop for fuel. They’re perfect for people who want to explore remote locations in comfort.”

Nikith’s Mom: “An explorer yacht sounds like something for adventurous travelers—getting to see places most people don’t get to visit.”

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### The Most Expensive Yacht in the World

Naturally, Nikith wanted to know about the most expensive yacht out there.

Nikith: “Dad, what’s the most expensive yacht in the world?”

Me: “That would be the *History Supreme**, valued at around $4.8 billion. It’s smaller than some of the other yachts we talked about, but it’s covered in gold and platinum and even has a statue made from dinosaur bones!”*

Nikith: [Jaw dropping] “Billion?! That’s so much money!”

Me: “It is! It’s more of an art piece than a regular yacht. The price comes from the luxurious materials and custom details.”

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### Key Specifications of Yachts

Nikith, always curious, wanted to know more about what makes yachts unique.

Nikith: “What makes a yacht special?”

Me: “Good question! Let me break it down for you.”

1. Length:

- Yachts typically start at 30 feet, but megayachts can be over 300 feet long.

2. Speed:

- Sailing yachts: 7 to 10 knots

- Motor yachts: 30 to 40 knots

- Superyachts and megayachts: 18 to 30 knots

- Explorer yachts: 12 to 18 knots

3. Passenger Capacity:

- Sailing yachts: 6 to 12 passengers

- Motor yachts: 8 to 12 passengers

- Superyachts: 12 to 36 passengers

- Megayachts: 30 to 50 passengers

- Explorer yachts: 12 to 30 passengers

4. Cost:

- Sailing yachts: $500,000 to $1.5 million

- Motor yachts: $2 million to $5 million

- Superyachts: $100 million to $600 million

- Megayachts: $400 million to $1.5 billion

- Explorer yachts: $10 million to $150 million

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### A Family Dreaming of Future Adventures

As the sun set over Dubai’s skyline, Nikith asked:

Nikith: “Dad, if you could have any yacht, which one would you choose?”

Me: [Smiling] “I think I’d choose a sailing yacht, like the Beneteau Oceanis 51.1. I love the idea of traveling with just the wind.”

Nikith: *“I’d want a superyacht with a pool and a movie theater!”*

Nikith’s Mom: [Laughing] “I can see that! You’d be the captain of your own superyacht here in Dubai Marina.”

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This conversation wasn’t just about yachts—it was about sparking curiosity and imagining adventures together as a family. Yachts, whether they’re small sailing vessels or massive megayachts, represent the thrill of exploration, luxury, and innovation on the water. With the iconic backdrop of Dubai, this day was one to remember.

### Closing Thoughts

Yachts are not just feats of engineering; they represent a passion for adventure, luxury, and connection with the sea. As a Naval Architect, I’m reminded how our work can inspire excitement and curiosity, especially in the younger generation.