Just happened across this in SCUTTLEBUTT 1736.... CHANGING TIMES Remember way back when - March of this year to be exact - when Roy Disney's Pyewacket and Hasso Plattner's Morning Glory, a couple of new MaxZ86s, first squared off in what were considered really big racing boats? It's almost incomprehensible, but they are almost small boats now. For example, in this weekend's Sydney to Hobart Race, officials are expecting as many as 10 100-footers! And there are more big ones being built. As for the now relatively small 86s, Plattner, who broke off competition with Pyewacket at Cork Sailing Week in Ireland and put his boat up for sale, looks as though he may be back in the game. Morning Glory is in San Diego, and is expected to do the TransPac with Russell Coutts, Mr. America's Cup, at the helm. If it seems like big boat fever has struck the sailing world, you can't imagine what's happened in the world of motoryachts. Guys who used to cruise the world in 120-footers are being humiliated by one 200-ft+ yacht after another. Then there is Larry Ellison's recently-launched Rising Sun, which is reportedly 450 feet, making her the largest private yacht in the world. She's recently been in St. Thomas and the British Virgins. - 'Lectronic Latitude, www.latitude38.com/LectronicLat/2004/1204/1220/Dec20.html
It truly is amazing how large the yachts are getting! I certainly have big boat fever, I'm just waiting for the big bucks to hit