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Gulf Craft Walkaround 31
What to look for in a boat, and why this one might be perfect for you

We're bobbing around on RO20,000 worth of boat, 31 feet of fibreglass and happiness in a sea ironed out under the summer sun. "The ocean here is at its flattest before ten in the morning," says Stan, the new owner of the yacht. "But it picks up after 11, till about four in the afternoon." And that's exactly why you'd choose this 31ft pleasure craft over something smaller. The waves he used to have a problem with typically came in swells at least nine metres apart, so the longer Gulf Craft Walkaround 31 boat is already on the next one as its tackling the previous wave.

Stan, like most other owners of the boats berthed at the Marina Bander al Rowdha, isn't a professional fisherman. He's got a regular white-collar job, and the boat is for recreational purposes only: a bit of fishing, cruising and perhaps an overnight romp around the coast. With our pristine beaches, waters so clear they attract divers from around the world and mild sea conditions, Oman is tailor made for you to take advantage of the water. And those are very good reasons to consider getting some sort of boat.

Buying a boat isn't cheaply done, and there are other costs. If you keep your boat berthed in the water (as opposed to stored on a trailer), you'll have to have it raised out once a year for 'antifouling.' This means that the underside that's below the water line is cleaned of everything that's stuck to it, and made seaworthy again. That's RO1,000 just there. Add to this the marina costs and maintenance and you're talking RO2-3,000 a year. You'd better make that cruise a good one, and hope the tuna don't get away.

Stan's craft is a good compromise: small enough to be manageable and big enough to be comfortable. The Walkaround is ideal for weekend trips, which are the most you'll use it if you're tied down in a city job. It features a little cabin with a dining area that converts into a double bed and features a shower and toilet bathroom. You'll have huge iceboxes for catch and food, a sink and foldable seats.

Smaller craft have outboard engines, while larger craft have inbuilt, or inboard motors. What's the difference? The inboard engines will be more powerful, but are more difficult to maintain. An outboard motor is smaller and easier to service. You can buy whichever brand you want, and choose it according to the quality of the product and service offered. A lot of outboard engines found here are Yamahas and Hondas.

There's a lot of coastline you can explore with almost 400 litres, or around three hours cruising time. With a developing road network, like the new tarmac to Sifah, there's more reason to have your own boat and find a secluded spot of beach. Beaches accessible by road within an hour's driving time from Muscat are guaranteed to be packed on weekends, while there are endless possibilities from the sea.