A boat's license to thrill

Shaken Not Stirred, the Sunseeker Superhawk 34, featured in the opening sequence of The World is Not Enough. [Photo/SUNSEEKER INTERNATIONAL]

Combine the plunge in the pound with the absence of import duty in Hong Kong and the city has become "the cheapest boating area in the world."

Sunseeker Asia has sold more than 190 yachts since Hui took over－120 of them in Hong Kong－and revenues last year were ￡30 million. Parent company Sunseeker International was taken over by Wang Jianlin's Dalian Wanda Group in 2013 for ￡320 million.

So what's involved in fulfilling your dreams and buying one of these superluxury yachts? "First, I need to ask about the usage－the size, your budget, and whether you're buying for family, entertainment or corporate," says Hui. That will help decide if you go for the Predator cruiser－he compares it to a two-door sports car like an Aston Martin－or a bigger yacht with a flybridge, which is an upper deck for navigation and relaxing that offers a panoramic view. The latter falls into the Rolls-Royce category, says Hui, also a self-professed car buff.

With Hong Kong being one of the most crowded places on the planet for boats as well as people, the second issue is a bit more mundane－can you find a parking space for your new toy? Berths are limited in the city's marinas, both in numbers and size, and Hui says it's essential to find a spot before ordering your yacht. There's no point in shelling out several million pounds for your dream yacht if there's nowhere to put it.