 |
In Yacht Pursuit
Long a staple for wealthy bachelors, mid-sized yachts have become family friendly
Edward Kiersh
From the Print Edition:
Bo Derek, Jul/Aug 00
(continued from page 4)
Another mistake is taking advice from anyone who touts himself as an expert. These individuals might own a boat or have some seafaring experience, yet, as Hull counsels, "these people are so grossly unqualified to make reasoned judgments, they only muddy the waters with their grand pronouncements. Hire a surveyor instead, and keep 'Uncle Charlie' at home where he can't cause any trouble."
Even if new buyers take these precautions, they will discover that yachting is not always about fun and adventure. Boats break down, they demand hands-on maintenance and, as Schrubb points out, "no matter how much effort neophytes put into acquiring their first boat, that yacht never turns out to be perfect. There's always some detail to dislike, so buyers shouldn't drag out the search looking for that 100-percent-perfect boat. It doesn't exist."
Yet, Ferrettis, Fairlanes and Sunseekers do get close, according to yacht cognoscenti.
"Freedom, feeling a new passion--that's the beauty of these flybridge yachts," Norberto Ferretti says, holding an unlit Hoyo de Monterrey Double Corona as he walks in his Forli shipyard. "Racing against the wind, controlling a superbly engineered machine, or just discovering an inviting harbor, all kinds of adventures are possible on these boats. They're the ultimate toys for boys."
Florida-based Edward Kiersh writes frequently for Cigar Aficionado.
SHIP SHOP
To learn more about flybridge yachts, visit the following Web sites or contact the companies directly. Most sites offer detailed descriptions of the company's models and a dealer directory.
FAIRLINE BOATS PLC
www.fairline.com
Oundle, England PE8 5PA.
Tel. 44 (0) 1932273661
or Fairline Boats of North America
P.O. Box 21376
Hilton Head Island, SC 29925.
Tel. 843/342-3453
FERRETTI SPA
Via Ansaldo 5/7, Zona Industriale Villa Selva, 47100
Forli, Italy.
Tel. 39 (0)543 474411
or Ferretti of America Inc. www.ferrettiofamerica.com
2300 East Las Olas Blvd.,
Ft. Lauderdale, FL. 33301
Tel. 954/527-1126
SEA RAY BOATS INC.
www.searay.com
2600 Sea Ray Blvd.,
Knoxville, TN 37914.
Tel. 800-SRBOATS
SUNSEEKER INTERNATIONAL LTD.
www.sunseeker.com
27-31 West Quay Rd. Poole,
Dorset, England BH15 1HX.
Tel. 44 (0) 1202381111
You must be logged in to post a comment.
RSS