Thursday, July 31, 2014

Marina Fontvielle

Just around the corner from Monte Carlo!  Walking distance...



Jim Gregory 

Wednesday, July 30, 2014

Friday, July 25, 2014

The “Boat on a Boat” Boat

Feelings of inadequacy continue to mount… 
After spending a few days in St. Tropez feeling like and being treated like the homeless couple in town, we headed back in the direction of Monaco yesterday only to run into this!

Juan Les Pins 002
 Le Grand Bleu, a 371ft superyacht with, get this…a 70ft version of Morpheus sitting on deck and available for “day sailing”!
That sort of puts our little journey in perspective doesn’t it?
Le Grand Bleu was launched in 2000. She was previously owned by John McCaw, Jr.,  who sold her to Russian businessman Roman Abramovich in 2002.
In June 2006, Abramovich gave Le Grand Bleu to her current owner, friend and business partner Eugene Shvidler.



St Tropez final 027
What compelled him to GIVE away one of the worlds largest super yachts?? 
Well, it seems that he didn’t need Le Grand Bleu any more since he was in the process of purchasing this!
The worlds second largest private Yacht, the 536ft Eclipse
Eclipse has two helicopter pads, 24 guest cabins, two swimming pools, several hot tubs, and a disco hall. It is also equipped with three launch boats and a mini-submarine.
  Approximately 70 crew members are needed to operate the yacht and serve the guests.
 

 

 

Isn’t this nice?

Juan Les Pins 2 001 
And today, the two friends have their boats anchored together, along with us (the homeless people), in the harbor of Juan Les Pins.
Oh how the .000001%’s live!









Thursday, July 24, 2014

For Torben & Judy

 

I just read your most recent blog post and agree.  www.sailblogs.com/member/tivoli42s7

After starting from the same dock in Richmond, CA. and then following virtually identical tracks through the Panama Canal, the Caribbean, and across the Atlantic Ocean.  We now find ourselves in very different places!  Scotland vs. the South of France!  In fact, I’m not sure that you could find two more different places.

You mentioned the pictures of boats that we have been posting lately.  There are some absolutely amazing yachts on display around here.  If you are interested in big beautiful yachts, this area is the best boat show that you will ever see.  Classics like the J-Boat Ranger, the largest composite sailboat in the world - a 167ft carbon fiber Wally named Better Place, and Roman Abramovich's Eclipse the second largest private yacht in the world, etc. etc.

image

To me the REALLY amazing thing is just how many of these boats well over 100’ that exist.  They just keep showing up.  Last night just before sunset I counted 27 boats that I was sure were over 100’ in the anchorage.  There were probably a few more.  Every day is a new show…

For your viewing pleasure…

My favorite…

st tropez final final 035

Here is what it looked like this morning

Quite Possibly The World's Ugliest Boat Color

Done on a grand scale. But, such an unfortunate choice.



Jim Gregory 

Just For Fun





Jim Gregory 

Tuesday, July 22, 2014

What a Great Idea

Combine a laundry and a bar and you will get our business every time!

Jim



Jim Gregory