removehtml]While many of us are snowed in or otherwise not sailing, let’s really start dreaming. What would it be like to own a mega-yacht, complete with a hired crew? Would you go power or sail? A modest 75, or maybe 200 plus? Would you stay involved in its operation, or just enjoy? Where would you send your boat first and who would you invite aboard? Post your mega thoughts here then vote in the Quick Quiz on the home page. (Discussion and quiz by Trevor MacLachlan)Error: Error: expected [/URL], but found [/removehtml] instead[/removehtml]
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This is a "If I had a lot of money and all my debts were paid"
I'd buy that boat and sail to all of the far away places, with strange sounding names, that I've been reading about in a book that I took from the shelf. With apologies to Julie London. ;D No way of knowing who I would invite to go along I am known to pick up strays.
I'd buy that boat and sail to all of the far away places, with strange sounding names, that I've been reading about in a book that I took from the shelf. With apologies to Julie London. ;D No way of knowing who I would invite to go along I am known to pick up strays.
Sloop (with motor)
75' sounds about right to me. My dream, and my wife is yet onboard with this one, is to leave out of the Keys sailing south along the coast of Central America all the way to Rio de Janerio. This is the only course I have a chance of getting my wife to for. Why, you might ask? It doesn't invlove going through the Bermuda Triangle. We keep saying that when the kids (21 & 23) are all squared away with their lives, we're going to buy a 45-50' sloop and live aboard.
75' sounds about right to me. My dream, and my wife is yet onboard with this one, is to leave out of the Keys sailing south along the coast of Central America all the way to Rio de Janerio. This is the only course I have a chance of getting my wife to for. Why, you might ask? It doesn't invlove going through the Bermuda Triangle. We keep saying that when the kids (21 & 23) are all squared away with their lives, we're going to buy a 45-50' sloop and live aboard.
Sailboat definiatly a sailboat
size really doesn't matter because it's a mega yacht. As long as it fits into that category I'd be happy. I'd follow the warm climates, month after month. Most likely end up in the Mediterranean someplace like Greece or Turkey. I do have a yearning for Istanbul and Monaco for the races. As for the crew.... I'd have to go along with Ross on that one. Maybe I'd change the crew every month or so. I wouldn't want to get bord or anything along those lines. With a competent crew aboard, I could take over anytime I wanted to. I'd enjoy planning the route and timetables. I would definitely have a bartender onboard, one that likes to drink. Maybe we could tie him to the mast every now and then, for enjoyment purposes only of course. Thanks for the memories. Keep it up, Ctskip
size really doesn't matter because it's a mega yacht. As long as it fits into that category I'd be happy. I'd follow the warm climates, month after month. Most likely end up in the Mediterranean someplace like Greece or Turkey. I do have a yearning for Istanbul and Monaco for the races. As for the crew.... I'd have to go along with Ross on that one. Maybe I'd change the crew every month or so. I wouldn't want to get bord or anything along those lines. With a competent crew aboard, I could take over anytime I wanted to. I'd enjoy planning the route and timetables. I would definitely have a bartender onboard, one that likes to drink. Maybe we could tie him to the mast every now and then, for enjoyment purposes only of course. Thanks for the memories. Keep it up, Ctskip
Something like Crosby!!!
They had Crosby the musican on TV over the weekend he has a really great boat!!!! Part of me would like an all girl crew with clothing limited to bikini's except in foul weather. But after a while I think that I would want students from universities and scientists on board. Then sail around studying the ocean. Maybe follow leatherback turtles or sperm whales around and see what they do. Try to mix up the crew with everyone from high school students to post Docs. Decadence is appealing for a vacation but not for a lifetime.
They had Crosby the musican on TV over the weekend he has a really great boat!!!! Part of me would like an all girl crew with clothing limited to bikini's except in foul weather. But after a while I think that I would want students from universities and scientists on board. Then sail around studying the ocean. Maybe follow leatherback turtles or sperm whales around and see what they do. Try to mix up the crew with everyone from high school students to post Docs. Decadence is appealing for a vacation but not for a lifetime.
Buy a bunch of regular-sized yachts
Sell it, buy a bunch of regular-size yachts (45-50' sailboats), position them around the world, buy a Lear jet that can take me to any of them. The only hired crew I would have would be for the Lear jet.
Sell it, buy a bunch of regular-size yachts (45-50' sailboats), position them around the world, buy a Lear jet that can take me to any of them. The only hired crew I would have would be for the Lear jet.
Not far from my retirement plans...
Ever since I can remember, my retirement plans have been to buy a nice sized yacht, around 50' would be nice, and have it sent to the northern shore of Norway...about as far north as you can go without hitting ice. From there begin following the coastline stopping along the way for days, weeks or months at a time (depending on the interest-factor of the culture) at different cities/countries. I'll stay long enough to make friends, learn the language well enough and absorb the culture. This would continue through the Baltic, back around to Europe, then into the Med. I would of course skip those areas that can be life threatening...i.e. some of the African coast. Continue cruising around all of Eurasia until I reach Alaska. I would have to stop for a year or so to cruise the coast of Australia and spend some time with my mates. If I am still alive, I'd then continue to the Polynesian islands and South America until I've visited every country that is safe for an American to visit, learned their culture and made friends across the globe. I expect this will take the better part of 20 years. I will not limit myself to coastland areas, but will take transportation inland (think Euro rail) and visit the landlocked countries as well. Anyway, that is my retirement dream for what its worth...
Ever since I can remember, my retirement plans have been to buy a nice sized yacht, around 50' would be nice, and have it sent to the northern shore of Norway...about as far north as you can go without hitting ice. From there begin following the coastline stopping along the way for days, weeks or months at a time (depending on the interest-factor of the culture) at different cities/countries. I'll stay long enough to make friends, learn the language well enough and absorb the culture. This would continue through the Baltic, back around to Europe, then into the Med. I would of course skip those areas that can be life threatening...i.e. some of the African coast. Continue cruising around all of Eurasia until I reach Alaska. I would have to stop for a year or so to cruise the coast of Australia and spend some time with my mates. If I am still alive, I'd then continue to the Polynesian islands and South America until I've visited every country that is safe for an American to visit, learned their culture and made friends across the globe. I expect this will take the better part of 20 years. I will not limit myself to coastland areas, but will take transportation inland (think Euro rail) and visit the landlocked countries as well. Anyway, that is my retirement dream for what its worth...
The Cherubini megayacht
When I was about 15 I drew one. It was a very traditional Feadship-styled 165-footer, all white, with a pretty counter stern and not-to-garish raked bow. It had a C on the side of the raked funnel and it flew a family flag. My dad got mad at me for drawing an architectural railing on it and made me include 'that nice green canvas' between the heavy white-painted stanchions. It did look much better. I wish I still had that drawing. Later I had an actual sleeping dream about a dining saloon on a large yacht that was round in front, and when I woke up and got to the drawing board I sketched it out. (I've never had a board big enough to really draw up something this big as an actual design; if i did, I would have.) It was about 175 feet, with long traditional clipper bow, bowsprit, two masts, and a tall, slightly raked funnel. It looked like JP Morgan's Corsair. It had two hatches aft of the deckhouse to accommodate two cars (an XJ-6 and a Bentley R-2 saloon) beneath and two mahogany Riva speedboat/launches above. Inside the fantail stern was a workout room with direct deck access. The hull was deep navy blue, the houses pale gray, the funnel black, the brightwork all Honduras mahogany. There was a slight step in the deck forward of the house. Best of all there was that semicircular forward dining saloon, with short narrow window sashes all around, and a longitudinal elliptical dining table for about 12 or 14 inside. Aft of main saloon the upper deck rail mimicked it, just before the long after deck with the two speedboat/launches, the mizzenmast with lifting boom, and the round fantail with the scuttle to the workout room. Below three full-width cabins accommodated the owners and 'special' (read that: in-law) guests. There were about four or five other cabins. On the main deck there was a TV room and library, and forward were crew quarters for like 12. This was in like 1980; and even then I was adamant that there should no useless ostentation but in every detail the look and function of a true ship. The long counter stern and clipper bow have purpose-- they take seas comfortably and reliably. There were to be grab rails everywhere and no attempt to hide lockers marked 'PFDs', 'Fire equipment', etc. Side decks were narrow and lifelines waist-high. All berths were parallel to the centerline. The refrigerator doors faced forward. The stove had fiddles. The superstructure was aluminum, but the hull was steel because aluminum disappears underwater. There were to be three screws, three engines and a generator, all running through a hydraulic system that allowed any engine or engines to run any screw or screws, the generator, the windlasses, the bow thruster, and the winches for lifting the boats and cars. This is what I thought of when I was like 23. I guess these things are what make us. To rely on a much-repeated phrase of my father's, any yacht to be seaworthy must be 'worthy of the sea' --to deserve to be there by virtue of intelligent and sensitive design, careful construction, and responsible use. I wish some people in the megayacht business were more aware of these things rather than of seeing that they're well covered by insurance and enabled by tort action when the inevitable happens.
When I was about 15 I drew one. It was a very traditional Feadship-styled 165-footer, all white, with a pretty counter stern and not-to-garish raked bow. It had a C on the side of the raked funnel and it flew a family flag. My dad got mad at me for drawing an architectural railing on it and made me include 'that nice green canvas' between the heavy white-painted stanchions. It did look much better. I wish I still had that drawing. Later I had an actual sleeping dream about a dining saloon on a large yacht that was round in front, and when I woke up and got to the drawing board I sketched it out. (I've never had a board big enough to really draw up something this big as an actual design; if i did, I would have.) It was about 175 feet, with long traditional clipper bow, bowsprit, two masts, and a tall, slightly raked funnel. It looked like JP Morgan's Corsair. It had two hatches aft of the deckhouse to accommodate two cars (an XJ-6 and a Bentley R-2 saloon) beneath and two mahogany Riva speedboat/launches above. Inside the fantail stern was a workout room with direct deck access. The hull was deep navy blue, the houses pale gray, the funnel black, the brightwork all Honduras mahogany. There was a slight step in the deck forward of the house. Best of all there was that semicircular forward dining saloon, with short narrow window sashes all around, and a longitudinal elliptical dining table for about 12 or 14 inside. Aft of main saloon the upper deck rail mimicked it, just before the long after deck with the two speedboat/launches, the mizzenmast with lifting boom, and the round fantail with the scuttle to the workout room. Below three full-width cabins accommodated the owners and 'special' (read that: in-law) guests. There were about four or five other cabins. On the main deck there was a TV room and library, and forward were crew quarters for like 12. This was in like 1980; and even then I was adamant that there should no useless ostentation but in every detail the look and function of a true ship. The long counter stern and clipper bow have purpose-- they take seas comfortably and reliably. There were to be grab rails everywhere and no attempt to hide lockers marked 'PFDs', 'Fire equipment', etc. Side decks were narrow and lifelines waist-high. All berths were parallel to the centerline. The refrigerator doors faced forward. The stove had fiddles. The superstructure was aluminum, but the hull was steel because aluminum disappears underwater. There were to be three screws, three engines and a generator, all running through a hydraulic system that allowed any engine or engines to run any screw or screws, the generator, the windlasses, the bow thruster, and the winches for lifting the boats and cars. This is what I thought of when I was like 23. I guess these things are what make us. To rely on a much-repeated phrase of my father's, any yacht to be seaworthy must be 'worthy of the sea' --to deserve to be there by virtue of intelligent and sensitive design, careful construction, and responsible use. I wish some people in the megayacht business were more aware of these things rather than of seeing that they're well covered by insurance and enabled by tort action when the inevitable happens.
But in reality...
But in reality I want to trade Diana for something small and traditional like a Tripp Seafarer 31 yawl like the one Lager's has had for sale, and live on it at Provo, paint boats by day and play guitar in the bar for Heinekens by night. I'm counting on managing the new West Marine store at Leeward-Going-Through to make it happen. Okay then.
But in reality I want to trade Diana for something small and traditional like a Tripp Seafarer 31 yawl like the one Lager's has had for sale, and live on it at Provo, paint boats by day and play guitar in the bar for Heinekens by night. I'm counting on managing the new West Marine store at Leeward-Going-Through to make it happen. Okay then.
Up to 60 feet -- sail
Anything bigger is too limiting on destinations.. particularly in the Bahamas and Southern waters. I'd want a crew of two: experienced captain and crew/cook. Room for them and one guest cabin is plenty of company. Start out the Golden Gate and turn left, next turn through the Panama Canal, do the warm places in winter and the East Coast in summer, then Europe and beyond. I'd be happy to let the crew make the longest passages, after one or two for the experience, and meet them are specific places. Another option: get a true megayacht with full crew, classic designed sail, and have a nicely restored Cherubini 30 stashed in the back for short trips into shallower places... Oh yeah, don't forget the wine cellar.
Anything bigger is too limiting on destinations.. particularly in the Bahamas and Southern waters. I'd want a crew of two: experienced captain and crew/cook. Room for them and one guest cabin is plenty of company. Start out the Golden Gate and turn left, next turn through the Panama Canal, do the warm places in winter and the East Coast in summer, then Europe and beyond. I'd be happy to let the crew make the longest passages, after one or two for the experience, and meet them are specific places. Another option: get a true megayacht with full crew, classic designed sail, and have a nicely restored Cherubini 30 stashed in the back for short trips into shallower places... Oh yeah, don't forget the wine cellar.
don't have the fantasy
It wouldn't be for me, I love the smaller sailboats that I can solo sail and enjoy for my 6 MO. a year. If I really wanted to take a trip on a large saiboat I think I would go on a commercial large sailboat and let someone else be the owner and have all the responsibility of it.I would just enjoy the vacation time. Ocean Liners used to be nice , I took allot of Island get away cruises before the vessels became so large. There is little to no feel of movement on the newer boats so I have lost my taste for that. I guess I am very happy with the sailboat I own and have no frustrations about boating or cruising otherwise.
It wouldn't be for me, I love the smaller sailboats that I can solo sail and enjoy for my 6 MO. a year. If I really wanted to take a trip on a large saiboat I think I would go on a commercial large sailboat and let someone else be the owner and have all the responsibility of it.I would just enjoy the vacation time. Ocean Liners used to be nice , I took allot of Island get away cruises before the vessels became so large. There is little to no feel of movement on the newer boats so I have lost my taste for that. I guess I am very happy with the sailboat I own and have no frustrations about boating or cruising otherwise.
Ocean Exploration
I am with moonsailor! I would want to explore the ocean. My crew would be involved in marine biology, charting the world, acheology, among other pursuits. The concept of well educated crew mixed with younger explorers would be awesome. In the mean time, studying the culture in various ports of call in the meditreanean and carribean would definately be on the agenda. For exploration and education, a powered craft would be best, but why limit to one. A nice sailing vessel would certainly be on hand, for my family and special guests between excursions.
I am with moonsailor! I would want to explore the ocean. My crew would be involved in marine biology, charting the world, acheology, among other pursuits. The concept of well educated crew mixed with younger explorers would be awesome. In the mean time, studying the culture in various ports of call in the meditreanean and carribean would definately be on the agenda. For exploration and education, a powered craft would be best, but why limit to one. A nice sailing vessel would certainly be on hand, for my family and special guests between excursions.
Differs, But...
...I think few owners are involved in the operation or maintenance of their mega-yachts except in a managerial way. Actually that makes sense since their time is (big) money and most of them really enjoy whatever it is they do to earn it which is their real hobby. An investor in my prior company had a 124' motor yacht; don't recall the architect or builder. However, he would meet his family there for a couple of yearly outings. Other times, he would have his crew move it to be at some location where he would be flying on business. Guess it saved on hotel rooms. A friend's daughter was hired to be a 'friend and companion' for a season to some Saudi prince's daughter. She traveled around the west coast of the Americas in a motor yacht of somewhat less than two hundred feet. What was interesting to me is that they had a large supply vessel that traveled with them. Finally, a fellow I was doing some business with had a 68' Hatteras stretched to 90+ feet. She had the most beautiful original art aboard and the main salon was set off bu leaded glass artwork to boot. She was all fiber-optic wired and had joystick controls at a bunch of locations and ships functions could be monitored from any of the TV's aboard. This was over fifteen years ago! What was more interesting is that this fellow was instrumental in the engineering and design of her modifications and would have the boat taken to the pacific northwest and would send the crew on vacation and he and the family would operate it, so he was truly hands on and probably derived the most enjoyment from his yacht IMHO. Rick D.
...I think few owners are involved in the operation or maintenance of their mega-yachts except in a managerial way. Actually that makes sense since their time is (big) money and most of them really enjoy whatever it is they do to earn it which is their real hobby. An investor in my prior company had a 124' motor yacht; don't recall the architect or builder. However, he would meet his family there for a couple of yearly outings. Other times, he would have his crew move it to be at some location where he would be flying on business. Guess it saved on hotel rooms. A friend's daughter was hired to be a 'friend and companion' for a season to some Saudi prince's daughter. She traveled around the west coast of the Americas in a motor yacht of somewhat less than two hundred feet. What was interesting to me is that they had a large supply vessel that traveled with them. Finally, a fellow I was doing some business with had a 68' Hatteras stretched to 90+ feet. She had the most beautiful original art aboard and the main salon was set off bu leaded glass artwork to boot. She was all fiber-optic wired and had joystick controls at a bunch of locations and ships functions could be monitored from any of the TV's aboard. This was over fifteen years ago! What was more interesting is that this fellow was instrumental in the engineering and design of her modifications and would have the boat taken to the pacific northwest and would send the crew on vacation and he and the family would operate it, so he was truly hands on and probably derived the most enjoyment from his yacht IMHO. Rick D.
Like camping...
I've done a fair bit of camping in the California Sierras. From time to time, I've run across "campers" who go complete with a motor home, satellite dish, etc. etc. If this is what you want to do, why not just go spend some time in a luxury hotel in Las Vegas? The same for sailing. Having a mega yacht complete with crew, etc. holds no charm for me. One small enough for my wife and me to sail comfortably and big enough to live on (with our two dogs) - maybe around 40-45 feet - along with some of the extras. That's my ideal, especially if I knew a little more about sailing than I do at present. Sail down the coast of Latin America, stay in some little out of the way villages, participate in the life of the community in some way or another... Now THAT would be the life. Who knows, it just might happen.
I've done a fair bit of camping in the California Sierras. From time to time, I've run across "campers" who go complete with a motor home, satellite dish, etc. etc. If this is what you want to do, why not just go spend some time in a luxury hotel in Las Vegas? The same for sailing. Having a mega yacht complete with crew, etc. holds no charm for me. One small enough for my wife and me to sail comfortably and big enough to live on (with our two dogs) - maybe around 40-45 feet - along with some of the extras. That's my ideal, especially if I knew a little more about sailing than I do at present. Sail down the coast of Latin America, stay in some little out of the way villages, participate in the life of the community in some way or another... Now THAT would be the life. Who knows, it just might happen.
MIne's Bigger
I am currently reading Mine's Bigger about Tom Perkins and his super mega yacht Maltese Falcon. Interesting read and insight into the egos/philosophies behind the largest of the large boats.
I am currently reading Mine's Bigger about Tom Perkins and his super mega yacht Maltese Falcon. Interesting read and insight into the egos/philosophies behind the largest of the large boats.
Small Can be Good
I confess to have never been sailing on a true yacht. Our Pearson 323 is too "rustic" to be considered a yacht. But for pure sailing fun it is hard to beat something like a Laser or a Windsurfer.. Getting close to nature it is hard to beat a kayak. We kayaked into the middle of Okefenokee Swamp and in two days were never out of sight of a gator..some pretty large. It is hard to describe the "puker factor" when a 10' gator submerges 20' from you and then you have no ideal where the beast is located. Sometimes this is a little too close to nature. A boat in the 35-40' range seems ideal for a cruising couple. In reality I would not want a hired crew that takes care of everything. I've done that on scuba trips. There is something extremely special about being alone in the cockpit at 3 am watching the moon sink into the sea. For me it is all about the sense of accomplishment I get from taking my little boat out to sea and then coming home again safely. Flying around in a big jet with a professional crew is a totally different experience than flying you own little Cessna 152 and being a passenger on a mega yacht is totally different than sailing your own boat. The puker factor of the first time flying solo in a cessna is at least as great as the pujer factor when you are in a tiny kayak surrounded by large flesh eating reptiles.
I confess to have never been sailing on a true yacht. Our Pearson 323 is too "rustic" to be considered a yacht. But for pure sailing fun it is hard to beat something like a Laser or a Windsurfer.. Getting close to nature it is hard to beat a kayak. We kayaked into the middle of Okefenokee Swamp and in two days were never out of sight of a gator..some pretty large. It is hard to describe the "puker factor" when a 10' gator submerges 20' from you and then you have no ideal where the beast is located. Sometimes this is a little too close to nature. A boat in the 35-40' range seems ideal for a cruising couple. In reality I would not want a hired crew that takes care of everything. I've done that on scuba trips. There is something extremely special about being alone in the cockpit at 3 am watching the moon sink into the sea. For me it is all about the sense of accomplishment I get from taking my little boat out to sea and then coming home again safely. Flying around in a big jet with a professional crew is a totally different experience than flying you own little Cessna 152 and being a passenger on a mega yacht is totally different than sailing your own boat. The puker factor of the first time flying solo in a cessna is at least as great as the pujer factor when you are in a tiny kayak surrounded by large flesh eating reptiles.
On my own
I have to agree with all of those who would go for a boat and run it themself. There is a supreme satisfaction in doing something yourself. Having someone do it for me is no fun; I would just want to keep butting in and help or do it myself and share in the fun. Paul Theroux wrote a really good book called "The Happy Isles of Oceania" where he paddles and explores all through the South Pacific. He ends his trek by first spending some time in a mega luxury resort with every need catered to then camping in the bush and eating noodles. He was much more satisfied and enriched by the camping experience. I am with him. My fantasy would be a boat say 45 feet, strongly built and reliable and ready to go anywhere. The real freedom would come from then having the fun to cruise as long and as far as I want. Having a comfortable house somewhere to rest and recharge in. Being able to fly inland to explore or back "home" and then being able to take any shore excursion I want. Maybe even renting a small villa somewhere and really getting imersed in a local culture. My mega fantasy is freedom to do what I want when I want. Not to have someone else do it for me.
I have to agree with all of those who would go for a boat and run it themself. There is a supreme satisfaction in doing something yourself. Having someone do it for me is no fun; I would just want to keep butting in and help or do it myself and share in the fun. Paul Theroux wrote a really good book called "The Happy Isles of Oceania" where he paddles and explores all through the South Pacific. He ends his trek by first spending some time in a mega luxury resort with every need catered to then camping in the bush and eating noodles. He was much more satisfied and enriched by the camping experience. I am with him. My fantasy would be a boat say 45 feet, strongly built and reliable and ready to go anywhere. The real freedom would come from then having the fun to cruise as long and as far as I want. Having a comfortable house somewhere to rest and recharge in. Being able to fly inland to explore or back "home" and then being able to take any shore excursion I want. Maybe even renting a small villa somewhere and really getting imersed in a local culture. My mega fantasy is freedom to do what I want when I want. Not to have someone else do it for me.
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