Couldn't agree more. :D

He was a fine guy in many ways, IMHO, though the guy had some serious limitations (unlike present company, of course). I liked him but I did wonder at the wisdom of his choices.

He wasn't the only rich guy I worked for. A quick count yields 10 or so homes in the 10,000 + sq. ft. category.

Most of them were not so admirable as the Doctor. But oh well, they didn't ask for my approval. One couple that was very likable remodeled a 4,000 sq.ft. house in Pacific Heights, the tony part of SF. Incredible place, the lady had been traveling Europe for years picking out pieces for it. It was my first big job in SF and my first day, I installed a cabinet from France, circa early 1800s. It was sort of a chest for a kitchen, waist high, drawers below. It wouldn't fit up against the wall because there was a big bow along the entire back, so that each end was about 3/4s of an inch from the wall.

There I was, attacking the back of this priceless antique with a power hand planer. :eek: Worked out OK.

These people had a crew party about a year later when all was complete. It was catered and had valet parking. All the subs were invited too -- Mexican guys who could barely speak the language and all of us. The man owned controlling interest in 2 hospitals. Both he and his wife were quite obese, not morbidly so but in that direction. Odd, being in the health care field and all.

A couple of years later -- they sold it! She said it had just gotten to be too much to take care of. It was 4 stories, had an elevator, and she had help, of course, but the size got to her.

I wonder if the doctor, in a house with about 4 times the sq. footage ever gets that feeling.

There is a lot to be said for that, I'll grant you. People who get comfy on top of their pile of loot don't do the greater world that many favors.

It's a tough one. Trying to regulate what people are or are not allowed to spend their money on would involve major gnashing of teeth and probably wouldn't work anyway.

I do think, though that societies pay a price for devoting too much labor and capital on foolish pursuits. Nailing down what is foolish and what is not is the tough part.

Actualy there is a big shortage of good crew for these yachts. Without a college education you can go to one of the crew schools and get paid like $30k-$50k maybe a lot more right away. Most expenses are paid, you get to see most of the world, and live a lot on a boat.

Captians usualy make $1k per ft per year, up until a certian point, probably in the 200ft range then it varies. Roger Penske pays his captain like $350k.

People make good money off these boats.

I dont like big houses.. I can't stand big open spaces.. I get scared.

Just give me a big ass warehouse to store all of my toys and car collection and put a second story like in the middle with windows looking all around so I can look out and gaze at my acres and acres of my cars and toys

Everybody but the owners.......

May want to ask cmac, cause he worked for it in the '70s in NOLA.;):D

Doesn't much get past you. Oh Lord that was a torturous job. I forget exactly but I could only last about 3 months -- the fiberglass itch was driving me nuts.

It was a small company. They had two main models -- a 36 footer and a 45 footer, both sailboats.

Blech
 

That first ship is goofy. Give me one of these two:

The Kruzenshtern
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...remerhaven.jpg
I saw this ship in person at the pier in New Bedford, MA. Absolutely ENORMOUS. Largest sailing vessel in world, I believe.

The Sagres II
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...ortuguesa..jpg
Saw this ship in Fall River, MA when I was younger. Beautiful ship, the brasswork is amazing, and I love the sails. This ship was also constructed by Blohm+Voss in Hamburg, and saw some stuff about it. It was formerly called the Alberto Leo Schlageter.

...in the nude.

Please see my thread on this same boat. I've come to much more charitable opinion.

I read a biography of Jim Clark, the guy who started SGI and later Netscape. He was into these megayachts, too. I'm sure he knows this guy. It's entertaining to watch a pissin' contest between guys who have way too much money and still feel the need to prove something to everyone around them.

I did and reversed mine;):)