Business booming in "gigayachts" for mega-billionaires like Paul Allen

[PSPS]

Gigayachts make the ultimate splash


The Octopus, anchored off Villefranche, France, in June 2004, is the $250 million brainchild of Paul Allen, co-founder of software giant Microsoft. The 414-foot yacht includes seven decks, two helicopter pads, a swimming pool, basketball court and infirmary.

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — In days of yore, there were only yachts.

Sleek, noble, the 40-foot-long sea chariots served as symbols of opulence, style and refinement in America — the ultimate playthings for the ultimate few.

Until there came superyachts.

Twice as large as their predecessors, with midocean necessities such as spiral staircases, split-level saloons and flybridge hot tubs, these floating mansions did more than eclipse conventional yachts — they made them appear toy-like.

And then, along came megayachts.

More at: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2002439334_gigayacht13.html

[HysteryDiagnosis]

1. Should get about 100 Iraqis to the gallon. nt

[MisterP]

2. that's not a yacht, that's a liner!

"they really, really create a better life for anyone who comes in contact with them."
oh, Jesus on a trailer hitch!

[GreenPartyVoter]

3. Oh really? I haven't been invited on there yet. Bet there's room for my

trailer too. Heck, probably can fit all the trailers from my trailer park on there.

[DELUSIONAL]

4. I've seen yachts like that in the San Juan Islands

Most boats up there are very modest -- but every so often you see the monsters with helicopters, some have sailboats or other boats the size that many families take up to the San Juans. These boats often leave huge wakes -- and the sailboaters aren't pleased.

The San Juan Island are the jewels of the Northwest -- part of Washington State -- they get the incoming Pacific current and the tides are huge.

Paul Allen has a compound on one of the islands -- it looks like a series of houses until you get close enough to see that all of the houses are connected to form one very monstrously huge house.

[nine23]

5. Same with the Gulf Islands in Canada.

Bill Gates already owns a few small Gulf islands, now he's got his sights set on the Canadian east coast. According to last months Conde Naste "Travel and Leisure" mag's "island issue", he just bought an island off Halifax, and is looking for more. Jeez, just how many islands do these MoFo's need?

By the way, I've seen Paul Allen's umm, "yacht". It was almost too big for Victoria's inner harbour. It's only slightly smaller than the Vic/Port Angeles ferry...

[DELUSIONAL]

12. The first time I saw his yacht anchored

was in Roche harbor, San Juan island, about 5 years ago.

That's the first time I saw a yacht with a helicopter.

Since then there has been an arms race to see how many "toys" the mega rich can stuff on their yachts.

Some of the "smaller" yachts can dock at Roche -- and even these "modest" boats are stuffed with toys.

Walmart also has a modest yacht in a local marina -- just in case someone in the family wants to vacation in the San Juans or Gulf Islands.

[girl gone mad]

6. Geez..

"I say thank God for people who can afford to do this," says Mike Kelsey, president and CEO of Palmer Johnson, a Fort Lauderdale yacht company. In his opinion, the giga-buyer is doing everyone a great service.

"These boats are absolutely stunning. They're monuments. And they really, really create a better life for anyone who comes in contact with them."

Yeah, that justifies spending 380 million for a boat. :eyes:

Edit: Looks like the Bush tax cuts are doing a lot to prop up the German economy.

[acmejack]

7. I served on a destroyer smaller than that!

Wasn't nearly as nice either.

[Jamison]

8. Looks more like a cruise ship to me.

.

[Vogon_Glory]

9. A Rising Tide Lifts All Yachts!

A rising tide lifts all yachts. Wouldn't that would make a wonderful bumper sticker? Everyone except the dullest-witted right-wingers couldn't help but catch the irony of the quip, and even some of the latter might note the lack of amenities on their humble bass boats.

[Vogon_Glory]

10. Very Conspicuous Consumption eom

[Blue_Tires]

11. where o where has Robin Leach gone??

i wonder how big a crew it takes to run that thing....and where do you refuel it?

pretty soon the rich will be buying decommissioned nuclear carriers