Hong Kong boat show hopes to attract affluent middle class with affordable yachts

The 15th annual Hong Kong Gold Coast Boat Show, the largest show of its kind in the region, promises to exhibit more than HK$1 billion worth of boats and gear as well as the very best of the boating lifestyle when it runs from May 1 to 3.

Despite the exorbitant price tags and the ostentatious displays of wealth, the organisers behind this year's show are pushing the theme of "affordable luxury", reflecting both the tougher economic climate as well as the democratisation of yachting for a growing affluent middle class in Hong Kong and the mainland.

Robert Blythe, general manager of the Gold Coast Yacht and Country Club, is keen to change wider public perceptions of yachts and yachting culture as a pursuit exclusively of the social and moneyed elite.

"Most people look at yachting as a sport or relaxation for only the elite, perhaps a misconceived concept, but buying a boat is much like buying a car," says Blythe, before adding: "What you can afford determines the type of car you will buy, or, in this case, a boat; for example, you can pick up boats for less than HK$100,000. That essentially is affordable luxury."

This year's show will focus on the wide variety of boats available from the HK$100,000 "affordable" weekend cruisers that Blythe alluded to the fully customised, made in Europe mega yachts that start at HK$50 million and can reach multiples of that figure.

Boat shows are a relatively new to Asia, reflecting yachting as a leisure pursuit with mainly Western roots.