The yacht as we know it is changing. It is no longer simply a status symbol or holiday companion, but rather an extension of the home, and, in some cases, the home itself. A growing number of yachters are living full-time at sea, eschewing traditional homes on land in favor of fully equipped floating residences. The pandemic is largely what caused that shift, according to Erwin Bamps, the CEO of Gulf Craft, the Middle East’s largest boat builder. “Many people bought boats during and after Covid just to keep their sanity,” he told Robb Report on a recent Zoom call. “They were able to remove their masks, literally, and restore some normality in their life.” The freedom that comes with being on the water has proven incredibly appealing to owners, especially with changing generational values putting greater emphasis on work-life balance and experientialism. At the same time, advances in marine technology have made it..
