To me yachting, boating or an amalgamation of the two for the purpose of leisure over transport always seemed a little decadent and, if I am to be perfectly honest, very dull.

If I need to go from A to B and the only way is by sea then with this method it will be.

I?ve always seen it this way and have been the same with cars and motorbikes. As a teen, while my friends were talking about how their cars had Xi injections and certain tassels and fixtures I merely saw a blue, red or yellow car and how expensive it was.

Cost, however, was unlikely to be a concern for the majority of the attendees at Ajimut?s first Thailand rendezvous - a meet organised by Simpson Marine to assure its Azimut customers (an Italian yacht-manufacturing company), that contrary to the popular saying all was exceedingly well at sea.

Once everybody had settled in at the fabulously luxurious Zeavola holiday resort, Sebastiano Fanizza, the Far East & Australia Sales Manager, took the opportunity to address the attendees, ?During the recession while many companies were closing or reducing their line, we brought out eight new models.?

The inaugural ?Phuket Azimut Yachts Owner?s Rendezvous? weekend gave owners the opportunity to meet, do a spot of boating, play a few games and enjoy some splendid food and wine.

One such gentleman was Phuket resident Gabriel Cardona, who owns a successful clothing company, ?It was great being together with people who have the same interests in life,? he said.

Gabriel and his partner Paitoon arrived in their stylish 62S range and set anchor in the calm seas before speedboating to shore to participate in a game of sand golf.

Tees were replaced with makeshift sand volcanoes, holes with upturned umbrellas and a full set of clubs with just a chipper, but this just added to the overall fun. No matter how many times participants swung and missed and swung and missed nothing could diminish the enjoyment of experiencing the wonderful views of Phi Phi (except maybe on that final hole which was way too difficult).

Saturday evening was brought to a pleasant sway with a Hawaiain style beachfront-Lua party where guests were urged to wear Hawaiian style shirts and women to wear coconut bikini tops, sarongs and grass skirts.

A delicious seafood barbecue along with a wide variety of Thai dishes was served on the beach along with coconut cocktails and pineapple pino coladas. Each of the sailors, boaters and land folk were merry and in high spirits when the hula dancing performers started to shimmy in a private performance just for them.

The next day was a more relaxed affair, with the divers and snorkeling enthusiasts of the group given the opportunity to indulge at Koh Pharaya Nak, just one of many wonderful diving spots around Phi Phi island.

The weekend came to an end in the only way it could while spending time with numerous millionaires ? with a sparking white wine lunch onboard the flag ship in the Thailand Azimut fleet, the humongous, luxurious Azimut 82. We watched the dive charter boats, long tails and tour groups gape as they sailed past and raised our glasses just an inch or two to acknowledge their presence.

Then it was time for Gabriel and the other boating enthusiasts to drive away, blaring their horns as they sailed and after spending time on, arguably, some of the most luxurious boats in southern Thailand, I?d like to say that I had discovered a new found appreciation for boating, sailing and travelling on the fair seas. I?d like to say that, but as they disappeared into the distance all I could see was white boat, creamy coloured boat and boat with red stripe.

Although I do acknowledge that I am in the minority among Phuket residents and the hundreds of boating enthusiasts that flock to this part of the world to indulge in their favourite pastime.

?The marine market as a whole in SEA currently is very strong compared to other geographical locations, we attribute this to the fact the our area has so much to offer boat owners; great facilities, beautiful cruising grounds, and excellent service centres,? said Grant Saunders, Country Manager Thailand of Simpson Marine.

The industry of sailing in Phuket certainly seems to be as strong as it ever was, and according to Grant this is unlikely to change, ?I believe that we will see the industry develop rapidly over the coming years. More boats arriving, larger boats arriving and more people entering boating to experience the real Phuket.?

And when that time comes and that personal realisation occurs, I want a blue boat with a white stripe.