THE ORYX PROSPERS

The Oryx is a symbol of the Arabian Peninsula. The once rare animal has now been taken under the wing of the emirates and is proudly celebrated, so much so, that 4.7% of Dubai’s total land area (the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve) is dedicated to protecting these magnificent beasts. A small part of Ajman is also dedicated to the Oryx. Here just off Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Street is the Gulf Craft headquarters, boat factory and offices of the Alshaali family, including that of Hussein, the designer of the 379 – arguably the Ajman yard’s most desirable boat to date (the superyachts are built in Umm Al-Quwain).

Making its debut at last year’s DIBS, the 39-foot Oryx 379, in true rock star style, went on a boat show world tour, taking in Phuket, Southampton, Athens, Genoa and Cannes. The reason for this is obvious; the Oryx 379 is a genuinely global model.

ARABIC FLAIR

Without a doubt, the 379 is a significant departure from the brand’s previous models. Hussein Alshaali has designed a very modern sports cruiser. Staring with just a few lines on a piece of paper, he evolved the shape into a next-generation Oryx, combing Western looks, with Arabic flair. A near plumb bow starts the styling proceedings, with a red line at the waterline leading the eye aft while the deck line arcs back down to the transom steps. You can alight on both sides of the triple 300 horsepower outboards, before making your way into the lounge. Here, the asymmetric layout features an L-shaped sofa to port, the backrests of which also double as the triple sunpad’s headrests. A folding table is mounted centrally, with the sink and storage to starboard. There’s definitely a nod to Gulf Craft’s sport fisher heritage in regard onboard space. Compared to similar European sport cruisers that tend to cram in their guests, the 379 has ample elbow room in the lounge and plenty of safe, side deck space. The side decks carry on past the helm, to the foredeck and its huge sunpad – a perfect spot to soak up the unobscured seascape.

FAMILY AND FRIENDS

Below deck, there are two layout options: an amidships cabin with a lounge in the bow, or an amidships cabin with another cabin in the bow. Either way, the 379 can comfortably sleep up to four guests in a light and bright atmosphere, exaggerated by the large hull glazing, white mood lighting and the composite teak decking. Again, the Oryx trumps its European competitors on the overall area; it’s cleverly thought out and not a bit of space has been wasted within its 12-foot beam.

CONCLUSION

Designed to take on the world, the Oryx 379 has done exactly that, with its launch year culminating in a debut at the pinnacle of boat shows, the Cannes Yachting Festival. Going up against the best of the best was quite an accomplishment, not only for the Oryx, but for the UAE as a whole.

Stylish, safe and extremely spacious, the 379 builds on Gulf Craft’s 37 years of expertise, creating a next-generation sport cruiser that has already proved popular with existing customers and fresh International clientele.