In Praise of Small Boats
It may seem paradoxical to be writing about small boats in an issue that features our annual list of the 100 largest yachts in the world, but I thought it might be appropriate to offer some reflections on the place from whence most of us came.
Evidence suggests that during the past couple of decades, an increasing number of yachting enthusiasts have entered the sport differently than many who joined in years past. The newer generation often starts not at the bottom, learning to sail Optis at the club or drive ski boats on the lake, but instead at the upper end of the spectrum. Not to knock those guys— any boat is fun—but there’s a lot to be said for working your way up the food chain with a little wind in your hair and spray on your face.
My earliest experiences were on lakes and rivers, fishing from rented aluminum jon boats. During the season, my grandfather would load his 6- horsepower Evinrude and its fuel tank into the trunk, and we’d head to his friend’s cabin on the lake. I’d lug the thing onto the boat and dog it down, and off we’d go, armed with night crawlers and minnows. As much as I looked forward to those days fishing with my grandfather, I relished even more the moments when he’d settle in for a nap in the afternoon. I’d slip down to the boat and steal away on my own, exploring coves and just burning fuel. It was heaven.
Years back, I was on a 72-foot chartered sailing yacht anchored in the timeless Bora Bora lagoon when 154-foot (46.9-meter) Perini Navi Andromeda la Dea eased in and hove up a few hundred yards from us. Within minutes, a davit had snatched a small, classic sailboat off Andromeda’s deck and dropped it next to her boarding stairs. A man walked down, got on board, hoisted her main and cast off in our direction. A few tacks later and he was close enough for us to offer him a cocktail. He politely declined and headed off on his solo sunset moment.
I later discovered that Andromeda’s owner at that time—the man in the small boat—was Silicon Valley titan Tom Perkins. I also found out that his private, small-boat adventure off Bora Bora was standard operating procedure. Perkins, who died in June, liked his big boats: With Perini Navi, he built the iconic 289-foot (88-meter) Maltese Falcon. But he also clearly enjoyed the unique pleasures of close contact with the water.
All big boats carry smaller craft for exploration, fishing, water sports or transport ashore. As did Perkins, I’ll wager many of you enjoy your small boats as much as your mother ships. The yachts in our Top 100 feature are capable of carrying multiple small boats, and in some cases, even submersibles and helicopters. In his story “Wheels Up,” pilot, writer and yacht industry veteran Mark Masciarotte introduces us to the next wave of yacht toys: Light Sport Aircraft. The one he flew for us, the Icon A5, was like a WaveRunner with wings. This new class of aircraft could add a new dimension to retail life on the water. And the good news: You don’t need a full private pilot’s license to fly it.
As my life has worn on, the boats have gotten bigger. I still have fun, but there’s something wonderful about turning and burning or tacking and jibing on a small boat. I’m betting many of you large-yacht owners, whether you came to the sport from the ground floor or straight in through the penthouse, feel the same.