What would you build with a $600 million Lotto ticket?

I checked out the fuel burn rate. Less than 1 gph which is about 45 seconds worth for some of the other yachts mentioned.

A Fleet!

My short list;

1 x Pachoud 85' cruising cat ala "Pacific Harmony"

1 x F&S Boat Works 68' Convertible ala "Hit N' Run" formerly "Magic Touch"

1 x Nor Tec 50' Twin Turbine ala "Miss Nor Tec"

That would probably hold me over until I could really figure out what I wanted

I was about to correct you; then I visited Pachoud's website. It looks like they took over the molds of John Winter's original brainchild...

http://www.yachtforums.com/forums/winter-yacht/1054-review-pacific-harmony-86-one-cool-cat.html

This was one of the first reviews I published to YF. It wasn't one of our big features. At the time, I was working around the clock on YF's codework, leaving little time for a life. This was a remarkably well-conceived cat, ahead of its time... literally. If John could have held on financially, there may have been a pride of cubs floating around now.

I sea trialed the boat back in 2004. There wasn't much to compare it with. The majority of power cats on the market were pint size. There's a volume dynamic with cats... they grow at a multiple of length. Pacific Harmony had the onboard space of a 100-foot boat. Much like the review I'm writing on the Horizon PC-58 cat right now... it's got the volume of a 75-footer.

Good choices on how to spend $600m, but you've got $590m left over...

Yea, not bad for 200' of boats, lol. My conservative side started getting nervous with all the operational costs, considering I need to get to the boats; in a new Dassault Falcon 7X, then unto a Sikorsky 76D and finally arrive the marina in the Maybach Laundalet

But, more idealistic along the $600MM yachts only dream, I would shoot for something along the lines of the former Princess Mariana in an 1A ice class and an OSV like the Far Scorpian to carry the toys.

You could combine the two by getting a YES conversion like the Suri that is reviewed by this site. Have one yacht that can carry all the toys. I understand that Suri is getting re-fitted with an additional 36 feet added as well as upgraded engines.

Okay I've been giving a little thought to how I might spend those jackpot winnings, even though I seldom ever play these lotteries. It's nice to dream though

NUMBER 1: First off I think I would have a very nice canal boat built to go cruise and live on the canals of Europe for some portions of the year. I particularly like this vessel design Roi Soleil. This would be my 'floating apartment' in Europe :











I believe a lot of folks don't realize how extensive the canal system of Europe is. I'd likely use this vessel primarily in the French canals and do lots of side trips off into the countryside, and sample lots of wine, cheese and pate.

I'd have a captain on board, with knowledge of canal transits, local language skills, and to help out my friends and associates that would be invited to come visit the vessel while I was off somewhere else.

...some forum discussions, and more pics:
http://www.yachtforums.com/forums/general-yachting-discussion/15873-inland-waterway-cruising-boats-barges-etc.html

NUMBER 2: My second vessel would be something along the lines of my 65' gamefishing/sailing catamaran design. This vessel would be used to travel up and down the east coast of the USA, and make the big circular routes around all of the islands and countries bordering on the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico. Its shallow draft would also be most welcome in the Chesapeake Bay, the Bahamas, the Caymans, and that huge reef off of Belize. This would be another part time home during certain seasons.





I relish the chance to show many naysayers that this unique sailing rig will work very well. This vessel might also become the 'base vessel' to which I might apply a number of other propulsion ideas, etc.
RunningTideYachts.com

NUMBER 3: The third vessel I would be building would be a 'modernized version' of this classic looking Alden 57 footer. She would have a steel hull, a poly-core composite deck and super structure, and a very nice wood interior in keeping with her classic heritage.







I've also included this photo of a shortly smaller vessel by Rhodes as it captures the essences of what I am talking about.



I've long been an admirer of these style motorsailers that could present themselves as comfortable live-aboard vessels that could also go explore anywhere the world....I wrote about that here, “Motorsailers by Alden & Rhodes”. I would station this vessel over in SE Asia, Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific islands. This vessel would have a captain/caretaker on board to look after the vessel when I was away, and he could help with the various friends, associates, and potential clients that might come to experience the vessel and/or her geographic location.
I'm working up some ideas for this design modification at present, and will likely post a new subject thread for interested parties to participate in.

NUMBER 4: I'd be looking for a place to build a unique waterfront office where 3-6 people could work on design and educational projects (more later). It might take on the form of one of the lighthouses on the Chesapeake Bay, ...or it might even look something like this 'one pillar' Pagoda,...maybe a little less ornate, and in more of a Thai style

It needs to be on the water for inspiration, and it needs to be readily accessible to potential clients flying in from many locations. My old home port of Annapolis Md and the surrounding areas, including its proximity to Washington DC, sure offers a lot, but I wouldn't rule out other locations.









NUMBER 5: Finally I would want to get involved in a humanitarian project,...not simply a donation to some charitable organization, but a real worthwhile project. What could be more satisfying than contributing to the basic education of children around the world. I had thought that the original program of 'One Laptop per Child' was a very worthwhile goal. It appears as though some commercial interests have gotten involved, and this has delayed and complicated the original concept. This needs to be put back on track to a more full implementation around the world.

If you were to compliment that 'one-computer-per-child' with this Kahn educational program, imagine what you could accomplish. WOW !!

Kahn Academy, the Future of Education
Khan Academy: The future of education? - 60 Minutes - CBS News

I would hope to get my Thai wife (a former school teacher) involved with this project.


CONCLUSION: So there you have it, travel and living on a variety of motor/sailing craft around the world, promoting new boating ideas, and helping kids become better citizens of the world. That would be my ultimate dream.

Brian,

Great Britain has a fairly extensive canal system as well. This site has an interactive feature you can click on a canal to get more details.

UK Canal Maps & Cruising Guides with Canaljunction.

Pontcysyllte Aqueduct - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

One route in particular has the Pontcycllte Aqueduct which crosses a valley in north east Wales. Note: a canal boat is on the aqueduct slightly to the left of center.

Great selection!

Brian,

Great selection! I've seen Roi Soleil close up and agree she's a fantastic barge. When you get that winning lottery ticket and invite friends to use her... keep me on the list!

I agree on the Rhodes inspired motorsailer too. The multihull doesn't do it for the traditionalist in me, although in my youth I was an H16 speed addict and certainly think a cat daysailer would need to be on the list.

Great suggestion on the coastal work space / home base, ideas in that vien that could be a new thread unto itself!

Chuck

Brian,

Just to whet your appetite a bit, here is an ad for a 1961 60' Alden motorsailer. Asking $189K for it.

1961 Alden Motorsailer - Boats.com

Can I profit share with Brian on option #1?
I'm a fan.

Don't know about profit sharing ?,..... but certaining sharing some wine and fine french food

Our barge cruise on "Roi Soleil" - Canal du Midi Day 1 by Craig Ligibel - YouTube

Okay, so you really got me thinking this over. If I ever buy a boat, I want to live on it and explore the world. So what would I look for in a boat?

• big enough to live on permanently, but small enough to be handled by a couple after professional training
• comfort (galley with full-size appliances, large fridge and freezer
• capable of doing long distance
• safety
• ocean-going, but also able to travel bigger inland waterways (think: U.S.: rivers, Lakes; Europe: Germany rivers and canals)
• storage-room for spares and enough food
• large dining-area (12-14 people for Christmas would be fine, just for dinner)

I really like the style of a Gentleman's yacht (along the lines of the old Cammengas, the current Mulder Wheelhouses), but I somehow doubt their ocean-going abilities, although they would be perfect for many inland waterways and coastal cruising. For real passagemaking, Nordhavn is at the top of my list from everything I have read over the past few weeks. They seem to be big, reliable, spacious and ready to go anywhere, except some of the smaller inland waterways, but they should be okay on the bigger ones.

If you have any boats that fit my description, let me know, so that I can dream a bit more.

To travel canals and some inland waterways air height is going to be a problem with a Nordhavn. If we are dreaming about a gentleman's yacht this one is about to be delivered. New Bilgin 2012 for sale in Shipyard, Turkey

From all the pictures I have seen so far this is going to be one heck of a nice yacht for a comparatively reasonable price. She will unfortunately require crew. We all have to make compromises when selecting the perfect yacht.

Ahhhh, can't you just begin to smell the aroma of the fine Corinthian Leather!!

I won´t feel the need for a bigger boat than mine, but I´d invite some good friends and go for an extensive cruise through every bit of water Europe has to offer. Should keep me busy for a few years.

WOW with that kind of money i could buy / build a new fish boat and work another 40 years to wear it out

heading south travler