Beach to offer sailboat cruise

MANGALURU: Panambur Beach got one more new attraction from Wednesday. Tourists can cruise in sailboats during the day.
Seabird Mark 3HF sailboat introduced by Kamath Marine Works, in association with Panambur Beach Tourism Development Project (PBTDP), will offer half-day, full-day or hourly-basis package for a group of five members. The new sailboat-Crazy Diamond- manufactured by Sheri Bamboat of X S Marines at Mandwa in Mumbai has a maximum throttle speed of five nautical miles and it has a petrol outboard engine for emergency.
The 21-ft-long cruise sailboat with gaff rig has a capacity of 500 kg, but only six people including a crew member are allowed to sail on it. The company's head Mahesh Kamath said the cruise sailboat has been designed according to the guidelines of the Seabird society.
"Seabird Mark 3 HF sailboat has been introduced for the first time in coastal Karnataka. The safety aspects will be taken care of. Seabird is a safe, stable and reliable sailboat that stood the test of time for several decades," Kamath said, adding that they are yet to fix the price for the cruise.
"My aim is to making sailing available to all enthusiasts in coastal Karnataka," he added. Nivedith Alva, chairman, coastal development authority, launched the sailboat while PBTDP CEO Yathish Baikampady was present. "Coastal Karnataka has the potential to attract large number of tourists. We have many beautiful beaches and people will visit if we provide better infrastructure. The authority will make its best efforts to bring new initiatives by providing necessary infrastructure," he added.