A $350,000 day sailer?

[Joe Alves Jr.]

For the rich and famous

If I had $350,000. I'd buy a house on the lake with it. Larger boats are a bigger headache as far as I'm concerned. I've always found that,--it isn't what you have that gives you enjoyment, as much a what you do. People with large boats wind up using them for cottages that never leave the dock. A friend of mine just decided to get out of the yacht club and buy a slip for his Tanzer 22. He'll probably have it slipped next to a larger more expensive sailboat, and feel strange when he gets into his boat, and here's where it all begins. It's called, "keeping up with the Jones's." I think that after a while, it becomes a status thing, and ceases to be fun. I honestly believe that he had fun in the club, even though he had to paddle out to his boat, but we all have to learn the hard way. I love my boat, so I'm sticking with it because it's fun. My two cents.

 

[Augie Byllott]

Expensive boats

A Ford or Chevy will get you there just as quickly as a Rolls Royce or Bently.It all comes down to personal taste, affordability for the individual, and the degree to which one wishes to impress others.Same with boats.

 

[Gordon Sell]

Not for me, however

My practial side says that's nuts. But then I thought hey, why not? It's a free (as in liberty, not costs) country. A lot of expensive cruising boats never get used for much more than day sailing anyway. But two crew? Do they have heads? I'd want room for at least 6 on a daysailer in that size range. Like someone said earlier, If I could afford that, I'd get a cottage on a lake and a couple of boats for the dock.

 

[texastom]

This is interesting

A few comments, first you can't say the politicians are "salivating at the prospect of taxing all those 'rich yacht owners" and then accuse Bush or the Republicans of pandering to the very people that own thoses boats. So I would say its not the present administration that is looking to tax the boat owners but the one that is trying to get in.Second, this reminds me of a friend of mine that couldn't believe how much I paid for our boat but didn't think anything of plopping down $75,000 for a Mercedes Benz to drive to and from work. It is a matter of individual choices. Someone is buying them or they wouldn't make them.Toms/v At Last

 

[JerryA]

I like them!

I like them to look at. If I had that much money I wouldn't have a problem buying one either. It's all relative. The design could be used on any boat for much less money. I think that these boats are being produced without the requirement of being a boat for the masses. That's fine I say, otherwise what would I have to wish for if someone didn't create these most wonderful boats. For now I'll have to settle for my H170 and keep making subtle modifications to it that I see on these boats. It's fun to dream of what one day sailing may bring.JerryA

 

[Doug L]

Ferrari

I guess they are like that Ferrari automobile I have always wanted. Far too expensive, not very practicle, but still very desireable.

 

[Allan]

Gotta love those SAILS

PT was right there's 1 born every second. God bless them if this is what they want, I'll just wait about 30 years and the price should come down. Oh wait I'm 61 sh*# I'll never see the price come down. Happy Sails to you

 

[Derek Henshaw]

waterborne sports cars

Sure they make sense, just like the Cobra, Countach, and Spider are great ideas for automobiles. The majority of us want our sailboats to be versitile and able to support a variety of waterborne activities. A few out there are interested more in how the boat looks on them. The sports car is a good analogy when it comes to raw power available to the pilot in the cockpit (car, plane, sailboat, whatever...) and larger daysailers will win every time because of available horsepower when compared to smaller, more docile (and therefore my choice) daysailers. Working an engine to get the most power out of every gear is a great challenge in small daysailers. Working over the waves with excessive horsepower doesn't take much skill. I only hope those huge daysailers will be skippered by experienced sailors who understand that larger and more expensive does not entitle right-of-way.

 

[Bob]

Never got a paycheck

from a poor man. Building one of those beauties feeds several families, I'm sure. But most of us know the enjoyment factor isn't tied to how much it costs. And if the owner finds out tomorrow he has pancreatic cancer, the money stops being important anyway. Carpe that diem!

 

[Randall]

Daysailors

I remember reading that the average age of people buying these boats is fairly high, and that most say they are trying to get back to "the way it was" when sailing was simpler. Most of these boats are supposed to be very easy to shorthand. They've owned a succession of boats of increasing size and complexity, and just want to enjoy some "pure" sailing again. I don't see any fault with this and wish them the best. As for me, I just ditch my 36 foot cruiser and hop on my son's Laser for a true sailing thrill!

 

[Al Carlson]

I'd rather read about Fatty...

I'd much rather see articles about cruising and boats I can afford. I guess it's time to look for other mags that focus on sailing and boat maintenance on a budget. Do you know of any?I'll skip the articles describing the megayachts. Fatty Goodlander's stories are more my type... he couldn't afford to replace his old forestay roller-furler before he and Carolyn headed off for another circumnavigation!The sailing's the thing!Fair winds and gentle seas,Al Carlson

 

[Tereza]

If you can afford it, and it's your passion...

Beautiful boats and the likes of these help "Further the species". These extremes are necessary to expanding horizons and ennvelopes.For myself it's moot...even when I DO have the money to casually toss at such temptations, I would still not do it. I would buy another home on a coast somewhere else in the world before buying one of these myself. But would love for friends to buy one - after a fun and rarified day sail, invite them over for a fantastic meal chez moi!

 

[George]

Seen 'Good Old Boat' magazine yet?

I felt the same way until I found this not so new pub. I'm not renewing CW or Sail, but I really enjoy the stuff that they write about boats like mine (Hunter 30)and the places I've already been and may go again.

 

[Andy]

Politics and boating -attn Tom

Well, this could get us into the political forum, but TexasTom's comments about taxes on these pricey puppies reminded me of a "think tank" speach I heard last week.Remember the LUXURY TAX that was part of Pres Bush (#1) "no more taxes" taxes? According to the speaker, that put so many boat builders and employees on the unemployment line that it was a net loss. So let those guys have their $350 daysailor and drive to the dock in the $100K BMW. The only thing that makes me mad is "those people" drive up the cost of slips and moorings.Like Jon told me-"Coke addictions and Mercedes Benz station wagons are proof that some people have (or make) too much money"But if you ever have a chance, consider the "Fair Tax Agenda"- a national sales tax that is amazingly simple and fair!

 

[abe]

The Luxury Tax was the Carter Administration..

not Bush. They placed a tax on boats and cars over 30k. FWI

 

[Fred Ficarra]

Abe, I recall the luxury tax as being

applied to the cost of a boat over $100K. Nearly killed the industry.I don't recall it applying to cars, only boats. Are you thinking of the gas guzzler tax?

 

[PeterO]

Mega Daysailers

I think the new daysailers make a lot of sense, as they reflect how most sailors really use their boats - as daysailers. Most of us do one or two cruises per season, so why are we dragging around the living room, kitchen and bathroom? I just wish I could afford to buy that new Morris daysailer, or even a used Alerion Express - either the 28 or that great new 38. Leave it to Gary Hoyt to identify a good idea and then give it great implementation.

 

[tom23166]

why not?

I am glad they are being built, I could never buy one but they are nice to look at!

 

[shorty]

Fair warning, opinions coming

The tax that put the industry in a coma was late 80's/early 90's. Republican administrations, democratic legislatures. Good intentions gone very bad, lotsa working people lost their jobs, something Bush #2 seems to have forgotten. BUT, this is not intended to be a political rant.These are gorgeous boats. In July 04, my brother & I were out on a drizzly Sat AM looking @ boats & I suggested we go by Morris's to see if the had an M-36 on the yard to ogle. Turns out they were having an open house for the M-36 and the weather was not cooperating, so not many people there. We got a very close look @ the dock and an invitation for an afternoon sail, when the weather was supposed to clear. It did, we did, winds were light, but she glided along easily, it was a real treat.There is much to be said for a boat designed for sailing, unlike many of the RV's with masts in them on the water today ;D. They are unabashedly concerned w/aesthetics, hence no life lines on the demo boat. Lots of daysailors do not have lifelines, but it is buyer's choice. Given how ugly most boats have gotten, attention to "old fashioned" design criteria (graceful lines & handling) is refreshing.The price? There are those that can easily afford, and for them, depending on sailing habits, these could be perfect choices. If there proves demand, Hunter et al will jump on the bandwagon, and cheaper (in every sense) versions will be available. J is in that market at a lot less than 350.Me? 1985 Pearson 34. Hardly the prettiest girl at the dance, but she sure can dance.

 

[March Hare II]

Market place

There must be a market or else the manufacturers wouldn't be building them. In todays "rush" people are trying to squeeze in more activities to their schedules. No time to go cruising! In my experience with the sailing community I find a large number of people who have big cruising boats but never go cruising. A nice daysailer would make mush more sense.