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taking the money

yachtI never blame athletes such as Johnny Damon for taking the money. It’s easy for us to sit back and say, he’s got $40 million already, what does he need another $12 million for? (People in Ethopia probably say that about us … he’s already got $80,000, why does he need another $20,000 for?)

Anyway, the NYT today explains what the superathletes might be doing with their megamillions: buying megayachts.

“Boats are getting bigger and bigger,” Ms. Bobrow said. “It used to be that 200 feet was big. Now the largest boats are 400 feet.” Contracts for motor yachts 150 feet and larger increased 15 percent, to 118 from 103, in 2005, according to ShowBoats International. Of those 118, 33 percent are more than 200 feet.

By contrast, there are roughly 440 marinas with berths big enough and water deep enough to accommodate vessels 100 feet or bigger, according to Superports, a British magazine that publishes an annual list of megayacht marinas. It is a problem that has vexed Ira and Audrey Kaufman ever since they built their dream boat, Gray Mist III, a 150-foot yacht fashioned after their home in Highland Park, Ill. – complete with antique furniture, a working fireplace and a dining table that seats 12 – about five years ago.

I saw some yachts like these at the 2003 America’s Cup in Auckland. I wouldn’t mind one.

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