There seems to be some sort of double standard at play in your portrayal of owners of these trophy yachts vs. the racing sponsors -- who you make no mention about. Isn't that pure ego and economic waste also? What do those boats cost? What does it cost to keep them running and maintained to a competitive standard? How about crew, support crew and travel expenses?

$300-400k just to ship a broken yacht from one port to another??? .... and no mention of the cost of replacement rig or replacement bow put together and transported under urgent circumstance by dedicated crews working 24/7 to make it happen (all of which probably approached or surpassed 7-figure$ when all was said and done).

The fact is pleasure nd racing boats are an economic waste and the old adage about being a hole in the water where you throw money holds true whether it's a small hole or a large one. So Jon -- when you took your boat to Belize and the islands, don't you think you appeared to be fabulously wealthy by the standards of the locals? Do you think it's possible for a significant percentage of those people to be able to buy and keep a boat like yours? They measure with a different yard-stick than you, and that's the only difference. They probably looked at you with the same envy (or disdain, or admiration) you have toward these "players". BTW -- what do you call your canvas and waterline color? LOL!