As the makeshift blindfold was removed from Aashana’s eyes, the sea rippled with laughter. It was August 24, her birthday, and a surprise gift was in order. The one she received, however, went nautical miles beyond surprise. It scaled the heights of amazement. Depths, rather. For, she was out there in the sea, on a luxury yacht, surrounded by laughing friends. Her fiancé Vinay Metha had it planned down to the last detail; including being in time to see the ochre twilight sun descending to douse itself in some other sea.
As Vinay picked her up from her home in Vepery, blindfolded her and drove her to the harbour, Aashana’s mind feverishly worked on the possibilities. Not once did she think she could be headed for a party on a yacht. From the sounds around, she thought it was a beach party, never imagining a yacht to go with it. Nobody else could have done better.
“When I invited her close friends and mine to the yacht party, they did not believe me immediately,” laughs Vinay.
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Because partying on the sea aboard a hired yacht is a new social trend that’s on a steady course in Chennai. A slow one, though.
At present, there are not many yacht hiring services here. In 2013, the Leisure Yacht Company started with just one yacht, Moonbeam, which can take on board 16 people.
Now, more luxury yachts are moored at the Chennai harbour, but they are owned by individuals, many of whom are members of either the Tamil Nadu Sailing Association (TNSA) or the Royal Madras Yacht Club.
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These enthusiasts would tell you that in comparison to Mumbai, leisure and adventure yachting is nascent in Chennai.
According to Shanta Ravikumar, a member and media coordinator of TNSA, only as late as 2004 did the idea of luxury yachting begin to take an attractive shape in Chennai. It was the year a 26-ft Maxi Viking Pride was acquired.
“Now, the TNSA has three 26-ft yachts, Viking Mist, Viking Swift and Viking Pride. They are Swedish-made Maxi 77 boats and can take about five people comfortably. The first Maxi Viking Pride was acquired in 2004 and the other two within a year after that. These are generally sailed by their owners on weekends,” says Shanta.
Despite a late start, the activity has picked up momentum, a fact supported by the size of the newer yachts.
Shanta’s list of newcomers is adequate explanation. “Mia, which came in 2008 to TNSA, is a 51-ft Riviera motor yacht belonging to one of TNSA’s members. Frama is a 44-ft sailing yacht, a German-made Bavaria 44 that can sleep eight people. It has three cabins and is very comfortable. It came to the Association in 2011. Orca, a power yacht arrived in March 2013. An Australian made 57-ft Riviera yacht, with an enclosed flybridge powered by 1200HP twin engines with IPS drive, Orca is a snazzy vessel to indulge in sports fishing,” says Shantha.
This year, TNSA grew bigger with one more power yacht added to its leisure fleet.
Growth is expected on all sides, including hiring of yachts for parties and fishing adventures. According to sources in the Leisure Yacht Company, which is part of the Chona Group, Moonbeam was meant to test the waters and assess the potential of the East Coast for leisure yachting.
One of the lessons learnt is the need for yachts with room for longer guest lists. Indrajit Kalidasan, CEO of Chona Property Management, says he has had many requests for a yacht suitable for a gathering of 40 or more.
According to Kalidasan, in 2015, the company will bring into the business two more luxury yachts, one set in the three-bedroom format and the other capable of accommodating over 50 guests.
Enthusiasts are not surprised. Because they believe the Chennai seas can charm anyone. “Leisure sailing is just about making its entrance in Chennai, but has tremendous potential,” says Shantha and backs her claim with scientific reasons. “Chennai seas are sailable practically through the year. Second, Chennai has long and lovely waves, and generally good winds. Third, there are no tidal flows.”
On these counts, Chennai scores over Mumbai. Shantha explains how the severity of the monsoon on the West Coast prevents year-round sailing there.
However, Mumbai enjoys major advantages that have partly contributed to its massive strides in leisure yachting. “On the West Coast, there are many natural shelters, where yachts can be berthed or anchored safely. The East Coast lacks this. Therefore, yachts can be operated only from man-made, safe harbours,” says Shantha.
As a result, the hobby is faced with restrictions. Creation of marinas can offset this disadvantage. There are indications that one is coming up on the southern side of the Cooum’s mouth.
Shantha gives the details: “Land has been allotted by the Government for this purpose. Once it comes up, it will attract a lot of foreign yachts that now go straight to Sri Lanka from the Andamans.”
When that happens, a birthday party in a yacht on the sea may no longer be a surprise gift.