In pictures: Bigger is better at Dubai International Boat Show

DUBAI , UNITED ARAB EMIRATES Ð Mar 5 : Different types of boats on display in the Dubai International Boat show held at Dubai International Marine Club in Dubai. ( Pawan Singh / The National ) For Business. Story by Lianne Gutcher

Gulf Craft, the UAE’s only maker of superyachts, announced it has started its biggest project to date, building a 155ft superyacht slated for completion in 2015. This is 20ft longer than its current longest model.

The number of boats included in the show rose 10 per cent from a year ago to 430. The organisers expect 26,000 visitors in total.

Yacht makers at the Dubai International Boat Show left the tiddlers at home in favour of their larger craft as they sought to entice the super rich into parting with their cash.

While the super-rich may be still be buying, the days of people acquiring a yacht merely to lounge on for three hours at the weekend and go for a swim are over, according to KaiserWerft’s chief executive Maurizio Magr

“The GCC is one of the main places we see opportunities,� Mr Magri said. “If we don’t invest now, then when?�

The show has been used for 11 world and 19 regional launches. Tan66 unveiled a “high-performance, easy-to-use� catamaran that is scheduled to be on the market in 18 months.

BehneMar brought two yachts to the show, including the largest at the event – a 50-metre superyacht priced at €22m. A total of 780 companies and brands are present at the five-day show.

Boat builders are clearly hoping that optimism in the Gulf region is not misplaced, as they struggle to sell yachts in Europe.

Representing the UAE there were 64 companies and 15 boat builders.