Greenheart
Well-Known Member
Putting aside the fact that at present I can't quite find the cost of a tired, rotting old dinghy, I readily ease myself sideways into lottery-winning dreamland.
Considering how dissatisfied I usually am by every yacht I look at, it's always part of my thought-process to redraw and redesign - a swing-keel here, broader beam there; but actually, I'm less certain exactly what I'd specify, given unlimited capital to spend.
It's too boring, to give lazy, glib replies incorporating vast scale, indulgent excess and designer-brand names or futuristic technology. And if I could afford a three-master like Aquarius, wouldn't gaining all that authority and majesty, cost the discreet independence I've enjoyed hitherto?
I see the old schooner Altair was or still is for sale. But I doubt I'd choose a vessel that needed so much hired help aboard, however easily I could afford it.
And, deep draft is a pain when you'd like to anchor close inshore, so, vast ain't necessarily ideal...
I actually suspect the essence of what any of us value most about our seagoing, can be summed up by a few on-board details, which evoke atmosphere and happy recollection of times and places, and form the backdrop to every adventure in prospect.
Here are mine:
A wheelhouse - because in the real world, the weather's more foul than fair. I may visit the Caribbean, but it wouldn't ever be home. I want to be able to steer comfortably in my pajamas on New Year's Day.
Gaff rig - because despite my enjoyment of an efficient rig, atmosphere trumps performance every time.
Teak decks. They make any yacht thrice as nice.
Ruggedness. For the most part, I'd like the vessel to look after me, rather than vice versa. I don't envy wealthy racing skippers who drysail large, expensive keelboats and fret about every scratch.
Ease of handling. Difficult one, that. I think I like brigantines best, but I'm not wild about heights. Still, I reckon one of the old 'small' trading gaff schooners that coped with two men and a boy, might be manageable. So...
LOA 90', LOD 65', LWL 52', beam 14', draught 8'.
Round bilge, steel. With 12" bulwarks. Steel lower masts and bowsprit, wood uppers. And, several tonnes of deep-cycle batteries in the bilge, driving a 120volt auxilliary. (I'll keep that in the 'maybe' column.) Nice beefy Northern Lights generator, too.
Wheel house allowing weatherproof motoring. Two double staterooms & en suites. Large saloon, not for sleeping in. Galley, quite separate, well-ventilated. Large fo'c'sle for stuff. Underfloor heating.
Not asking much, really, am I? I didn't specify an on-board garage with red and blue Lamborghinis, or an aquarium that doubles as a swimming pool. Quite modest, really.
What would you prefer?
Considering how dissatisfied I usually am by every yacht I look at, it's always part of my thought-process to redraw and redesign - a swing-keel here, broader beam there; but actually, I'm less certain exactly what I'd specify, given unlimited capital to spend.
It's too boring, to give lazy, glib replies incorporating vast scale, indulgent excess and designer-brand names or futuristic technology. And if I could afford a three-master like Aquarius, wouldn't gaining all that authority and majesty, cost the discreet independence I've enjoyed hitherto?
I see the old schooner Altair was or still is for sale. But I doubt I'd choose a vessel that needed so much hired help aboard, however easily I could afford it.
And, deep draft is a pain when you'd like to anchor close inshore, so, vast ain't necessarily ideal...
I actually suspect the essence of what any of us value most about our seagoing, can be summed up by a few on-board details, which evoke atmosphere and happy recollection of times and places, and form the backdrop to every adventure in prospect.
Here are mine:
A wheelhouse - because in the real world, the weather's more foul than fair. I may visit the Caribbean, but it wouldn't ever be home. I want to be able to steer comfortably in my pajamas on New Year's Day.
Gaff rig - because despite my enjoyment of an efficient rig, atmosphere trumps performance every time.
Teak decks. They make any yacht thrice as nice.
Ruggedness. For the most part, I'd like the vessel to look after me, rather than vice versa. I don't envy wealthy racing skippers who drysail large, expensive keelboats and fret about every scratch.
Ease of handling. Difficult one, that. I think I like brigantines best, but I'm not wild about heights. Still, I reckon one of the old 'small' trading gaff schooners that coped with two men and a boy, might be manageable. So...
LOA 90', LOD 65', LWL 52', beam 14', draught 8'.
Round bilge, steel. With 12" bulwarks. Steel lower masts and bowsprit, wood uppers. And, several tonnes of deep-cycle batteries in the bilge, driving a 120volt auxilliary. (I'll keep that in the 'maybe' column.) Nice beefy Northern Lights generator, too.
Wheel house allowing weatherproof motoring. Two double staterooms & en suites. Large saloon, not for sleeping in. Galley, quite separate, well-ventilated. Large fo'c'sle for stuff. Underfloor heating.
Not asking much, really, am I? I didn't specify an on-board garage with red and blue Lamborghinis, or an aquarium that doubles as a swimming pool. Quite modest, really.
What would you prefer?
