Gautam Dutta -Class of 83 (XII) has recently been mentioned in an article in Mid Day.
You can read the article
here.He holds the World record for sailing across the world in record time.
Mumbai's well-heeled are switching to flat shoes to sail onboard their crore plus boats packed to the gills with the latest in home and outdoor entertainment. They're coming down from their penthouses and playing in the waters, sipping their Martinis off their sea vehicles. Importers are even bringing the best of Made in Italy, France and the Gulf boats to Mumbai reclaimed shores, upping the stakes for the Indian Sea Bird (Sea Bird was designed for the Bombay Harbour in 1921).
And intensive lobbying means the city may even get a marina soon to dock its water dreams.Says Anju Dutta, managing director or Marine Solutions, a full service and distributor that's bringing in Italian luxury brand Ferretti's, French Jeanneau sailboats and the American Searay to our shores, "Initially, only people who had homes in Mandwa invested in boats. Now it's a viable option for people even living in the city.
Most of the boats that came into the city used to be from the Gulf; now European and American companies are looking to set up shop in Mumbai too because they see a greater understanding and a growing market. We used to sell around one or two boats a month a few years ago; we're now booking around eight or 10 boats in season.
Indians prefer powerboats over sail boats because they are easier to manage, so we sell a lot of those. Also, jet-skis are cheaper and accessible so they are hot favourites."
A member of the Mumbai Boat Show Pvt Ltd adds that over the past two years, over 150 small powerboats were sold in India, more than the number sold in 30 years.
One look at the coast off Chowpatty or Gateway of India confirms this. Even the guard at Gateway of India where most boats are parked (Parking charges at the Gateway, paid to the Bombay Port Trust and Yacht Club are nominal at Rs 2,000 on average per year) has noticed the change. "Season mein to bahut log aate hain," he adds.
Captain ahoy!World record holder (for sailing across the world in record time)
Gautam Dutta is hoping Indians become serious about water. He, and a couple of others are even lobbying for a marina and proper policing on the waters which he says will happen in a couple of months. He says, "Andhra Pradesh has already started and it's in the pipeline in Goa. We have a perfect harbour in Bombay, it's time we use it. On bigger boats you can travel across the world — why not invest in something like that."
Armed with an air conditioner, microwave, refrigerator, double bed, bar etc — most of these boats spell luxury — and considering they can take you all the way to Goa in 5-6 hours, they make an all inclusive vacation package in themselves — for a cost that starts out at Rs 20 lakh. Plus maintenance costs at Rs 10,000 on.
Not surprisingly, the city's moneyed like Dilip Chhabria, Raja Dhody, the Godrejs, the Bajajs, Vijay Mallya and Gautam Singhania already have their own. "Most people buy boats between Rs 20 to 70 lakh, while luxury boats can go well over 20 crore."
But for those who don't have that kind of money, several sailing clubs in the city offer memberships (Rs 60,000 lifetime membership at the Yacht Club, Rs 10,000 membership at the Colaba Sailing Club and the several Navy clubs) and classes for those interested. And if you ask around, enthusiastic members would even be willing to take you on a sailing trip just so you can experience the love of the sea.
Says Padmashri and Arjuna Awardee ex commodore Gulshan Rai (he won these awards for sailing across the world), "I own my own sail boat, but these clubs give out sail boats for members if they want to learn. Every year we see an increase in the number of people signing up for our classes. Also, the international boat fair is coming to India in February next year and that is going to further increase interest."
"There are no open spaces for our kids, so we have to reclaim the waters," adds sailing enthusiast Sunil Lobo, who is about to buy the French Jeanneau for himself. "I enrolled my daughters in classes at Yacht Club and they loved it. I had to share their enthusiasm and we now go out to sea every opportunity we get. It's so much better than spending an evening at a bar, which you can do anytime." Lobo's older daughter, Ayesha, is a national sailor now.
American writer Ambrose Bierce had described the Ocean as "A body of water occupying about two-thirds of a world made for man — who has no gills." Mumbai seems to have found its gills — in every slick style and colour.
