The history of yacht manufacturer is closely linked to the areas they set out to fish and explore seas and oceans. In every ancient area populated by men, we found traces of a boat culture and manufacturing. Ships and boats were an important part of ancient Egyptian’s life. The earliest boats in Egypt were made during the time of the Old Kingdom, where they were used along the Nile River. Because of the lack of wood, boats were made with bundled papyrus reeds. These boats were 25 meters long, two to three meters wide, and sixty centimeters deep, which allowed seating for 30 rowers with one to two rudder oars.

The most daring explorers in our history seem to be the Vikings. Facilitated by advanced seafaring skills, and characterized by their longships, Viking activities at times extended into the Mediterranean littoral, North Africa, the Middle East and Central Asia. They also ventured to North Atlantic islands and as far as the northeastern coast of North America.
Another great explorer was Christopher Columbus who set out to find new trading routes to India and discovered the Americas instead. On the evening of the 3rd of August 1492, Columbus departed from Palos de la Frontera with three ships: a larger carrak, a three-masted ocean going sailing ship the Santa Maria and two smaller caravels, the Pinta and the Santa Clara.

Caravels are small, highly maneuverable sailing ships developed in the 15th century by the Portuguese to explore the West African coast and venture into the Atlantic Ocean. Niña, Pinta, and the Santa María were modest-sized merchant vessels comparable in size to a modern cruising yacht. Comparing the manufacturing of Columbus’s ships to power yacht manufacturers or motor yacht manufacturer of today, one has to admire the courage of Columbus and his crew.
The manufacturing of ships culminated with the production of the Titanic. The Titanic was 882 feet 9 inches (269.06 m) long with a maximum breadth of 92 feet 6 inches (28.19 m). Her total height, measured from the base of the keel to the top of the bridge, was 104 feet (32 m).

Comparing the material and tools used in those days to a luxury boat maker of today is not possible anymore.

Even though the last commercial sailing ships were only built a bit more than a century ago and the Titanic was built between 1908 and 1911, the shipping industry has developed immensely. Comparing the Santa Maria to some of Dubai yachts for sale, will bring a smile to one’s face.