Scuttlebutt Magazine - February 2008 - (Page 19) www.scuttlebutt.com February 2008 • Page 19 Latest amenities take flight on megayachts What’s the latest in megayacht accessories? If you’d gone to the Monaco yacht show, you’d know. Yacht sales have increased 10 to 15 percent a year worldwide in the last few years. Many among the newly rich or famous want a yacht, and with that are must-have accessories. At the Monaco boat show, Massimo Vilardi, a Eurocopter executive, was there to sell helicopters. Minisubmarines and helicopters are the newest plaything for the rich and famous. Oliver Milliex, the head of yacht finance at the Dutch bank ING, said, “Today a megayacht is indispensable. It’s not like 15 years ago, when a yacht was a luxury item.” Europeans often watch boat fairs to judge the overall health of their economies, though Monaco might be at the top end of boat shows. The show has only about 500 exhibitors, and many yacht builders do not show yachts. Their clientele do not want off-therack stuff. They want cutom built boats unlike any other. According to John Tagliabue in the New York Times, helicopters are the latest bauble for megayachters. And of course, it means adding a pilot and mechanic to the yacht’s crew. But what’s a quart of oil to a sheik? Eurocopter’s smallest model sells for about $2 million. It sat on a 200-ft. yacht at the show. Another bauble at the show was a two-seater submarine at a mere $246,000. It was ideal for stowing on a yacht, but can only dive to about 160 feet where there is surface light. The largest yacht at the Monaco show was a 345foot Blohm & Voss vessel, moored offshore because it was too large to navigate the narrow harbor. Some yacht shoppers go to the Monaco show hunting for a bargain. Shipbuilders with yards in Moscow, for instance, offer less expensive vessels for the same quality. The Russian-Polish company builds yachts in five sizes from 85 to 155 feet. They have twelve under construction. Some of the largest yachts are owned by Russians. One tycoon owns three, with another 40-footer under construction. It will have twin helicopter landing pads and a submarine. Even the poor showing of the dollar against other world currency didn’t seem to make any difference. A Seattle, Washington, yard showed a 164-foot, $29 million yacht. It said that all five of the 112-foot yachts they would build next year are sold, and three of the five $130-footers have been sold. It’s true. There’s a boat out there that would be perfect for you. – John Taglibue in the New York Times We Can Accommodate Nearly Any Size Boat • Summer Only Packages • Summer/Winter Storage Packages • Gas Dock • Pump Out • Full Mechanical Services • Transient Docks Available • Covered Slips Available Boating is affordable in Winona! Conveniently located in the heart of Winona, close to food and entertainment. Dennis Benish – New Owner, formerly general manager of Afton Marina. WINONA MARINA 16 Laird St, Winona, MN 507-454-5590 • dennis@winonamarina.com markers Red Wing’s Watch Us Grow! Ole Miss Marina Baypoint and Colvill Parks Largest Marina in Red Wing with 284 slips Friendly staff and newest equipment Clear 92-octane gas and four 50-ft. service stalls Sanisailor pumpout equipment Ice cream, ice, candy, pop, and clothing Located by Tepee at Bay Point Park Mile 791.5 right on the bend in the river A quiet little bay just off the river Near historic downtown Red Wing 30- and 50-amp service Transient slips available Winter storage available Showers and restrooms Monitor Ch 16 CASTAWAYS MARINA Mile Marker 830 on the Mississippi Well-Maintained 40’ - 60’ - 90’ Covered or Uncovered Slips For Rent OWNERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE. Ole Miss Marina Owned and Operated by Red Wing Port Authority and City of Red Wing Castaways Marina is located in a quiet, no-wake, deep-water channel in Inver Grove Heights, two minutes south of I-494. We are close to fuel, service, food and shopping. Pump-out hydrant at every slip. Manager Kevin Traster Office 651-388-5839 • Gas Dock 651-388-8643 Website www.olemissmarina.com Email - kevin.traster@olemissmarina.com Best Kept Secret on the Mississippi Call 651-338-3606 www.castawaysmarina.com http://www.scuttlebutt.com http://www.castawaysmarina.com http://www.olemissmarina.com http://www.olemissmarina.com http://www.castawaysmarina.com
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