...with WAY more money than I can ever dream of having... (grin)

First off, I'd invite you and Tom C to note that I DID say I really like the boat, and am glad that such patrons continue to support the magnificent craftsmanship of boatbuilders such as those at Brooklin... I'll admit, what has really informed my post was the sickeningly saccharine article in BI that I'd just read...

I'm curious, however, what you find about the boat that's particularly "innovative"? (Beyond DDW's headboard, of course (grin)) Now, I would describe ISOBEL as "distinctive", perhaps - but pretty much everything I see on that boat, I've seen before, including the arch Hunter first trotted out, what, 15 years ago? (grin)

Seems the only way they have really raised the bar, is upping the dimension of a "Weekend Cruiser for a Couple" from the Morris 52 to 75 feet... The mention of the air draft being constricted by a local bridge reminds me of one of the most "innovative" sailing yachts in recent memory, Dave Pedrick's Mit-SEA-Ah, and her telescoping mast required to meet the owner's design brief that she be able to fit under the Brooklyn Bridge... Coincidentally, that boat went on the market shortly after her launch, and even a recent price reduction of nearly $10 million has been able to move the stoopid thing...

Obviously, it's not for me to assess whether this guy's "passion" for sailing is truly genuine, or not... But I've had several clients over the years who clearly enjoyed The Build far more than whatever they did with the boat afterwards... NTTAWWT, of course... (grin)

But, for someone who only took up sailing 15 years ago, and is now on his 4th custom build of Stradivarius quality, it wouldn't entirely surprise me if he simply appreciates creating and OWNING these sort of Faberge' Eggs, more than actually sailing them...

Different strokes, is all... As I said, I've completely overdosed on reading about these boats, they mostly now bore the hell out of me, and that's largely what informs my opinion today...

Anyway, I wish the owner and his bride the best with ISOBEL, hopefully it will suit their "needs" through at least a few more Maine summers upcoming... And, I'll raise a glass to his decision to fly the Stars & Stripes from her stern, unlike so many other American yachtsman of great wealth, including the owner of Mit-SEA-Ah...

Here she's pictured crossing the start line during the Newport Bucket a few years ago... Another item in the guy's design brief was that she should be able to reach Bermuda by spending no more than one full night at sea - so Pedrick basically drew a 135' MacGregor with twin engines, capable of 20+ knots under power...

LMFAO!