Sen. Kerry: Not a yacht but a sailboat

Washington Times - Watercooler ^ | 7/29/10 | Kerry Picket

[paltz]

Senator John Kerry, Massachusetts Democrat, was sure to point out to me on Thursday that the "Isabel," his 76-foot $7 million luxury yacht docked in Rhode Island, is actually not a yacht, but simply "my sailboat."

[MadMax, the Grinning Reaper]

The same sailboat Kerry commanded in “Cambodia” on Xmas, 1969.

Stupid SOB can’t tell the difference between a skiff, a sailboard, a Swift Boat and his Elitist $7M rowboat.

Remember; He is the head of the Sen. Foreign Relations COmmittee. Now that is frightening.

Oh, did you know he served in Vientnam, left a man behind, and lied about Bay Hap incident?

[Cicero]

Actually, I’d call it a Friendship sloop.

Nice boat. If I had that kind of money I wouldn’t mind having one, because she’s designed for easy handling and doesn’t require a large crew.

Unfortunately I don’t (have that kind of money). Oh, well, I’ll have to make do with sailing in other people’s boats, or going out in my Turnabout.

[OldDeckHand]

"I think you need a captain’s license to pilot a boat over 50’."

By the letter of the law, not necessarily, so long as you're not chartering it. But, Kerry has already indicated that he's going to offer her for charter, which implies he's hired a professional skipper - one must have a six-pack license (slang for Coast Guard certification for the lowest captain's license), to perform as a professional captain. And as I think about it, I'm sure that boat is bigger than 25 gross tonnes, so that captain would need to have the next additional qualification.

Lastly, at $7-million, I would SERIOUSLY doubt Kerry could get her insured absent a professional full-time captain, and skeletal crew. It's not like Allstate insuring your new Mercedes, insurance companies demand professional education requirements and certification when they're on the hook for that kind of cash.

[NautiNurse]

Nice find! We get to peek inside Kerry's Isabel.

Meet ISABEL

The Friendship 75, ISABEL is the largest of the Friendship fleet, yet she continues the simplicity in handling that is indicative of the Friendship designs. She is the largest size boat confidently handled by two, yet sacrifices nothing towards interior volume and finish which are unmistakably the essence of luxury living.

As the Friendship 40 and the Friendship 53 did before her, the Friendship 75 introduces a new concept, the idea that a larger boat be sailed by owners without the necessity of a crew; for the owners to get on his boat and drive it out of the marina or mooring. This idea of owners handling their boat is a departure from the norm in the opulent world of yachting where the boat is largely controlled by the crew and the owner is a guest.

With owner handling in mind, control of ISABEL is centrally located in the sculpted varnished teak helm pedestal that houses the mainsail furling buttons, boom vang control, as well as two 10” pop up display screens that can function with the radar and GPS. The primary and secondary winch controls are mounted where the helmsman’s hands would be while at the wheel. The small flush mounted buttons will control the genoa sheeting; foot buttons will control the furling, leaving one hand for steering. Everything is perfectly arranged for maximum control with the minimum amount of effort.

Being a practical sailor, the owners paid particular attention to his intended use of his new boat and took that into consideration when designing not only sail handling, but also the interior layout. Having closely studied the lifestyle requirements of yachts in the 90 to 100’ range and discussing lifestyles on board, it was resolved to design a 75’ boat with two luxury VIP cabins, expanding on the idea that “bigger does not always mean better.” There is also a well appointed third twin cabin amidships for a third couple or children, or for the switch to “yachting mode” when the service of a captain and stewardess is preferred. The pilothouse is outfitted not only with navigation station, but also features a wet bar and cold wine storage to entertain up to six around the u-shaped settee and custom teak table. This makes for an ideal entertainment area when experiencing cooler weather.

Despite the smaller number of cabins, the 75 has forfeited nothing with respect to luxurious appointments and comfort. The interior joinery in every area, from the cabins to the galley to the salon and pilothouse, features ornate Edwardian-style glossy varnished teak with additional interior appointments that are as functionally perfect as they are exquisitely constructed. The talent and experience of Ted Fontaine set the Friendship 75 apart from other yachts, regardless of size.

[Lakeshark]

One first class photo album of a yacht sailboat.

My Zuma wants to look just like that when it grows up........

[OldDeckHand]

That is pure elegance. Unbelievable.

The Kiwis are really giving both the Italians and the Dutch a run for their money. They are putting out some terrific boats the last decade or so, especially sailboats. Friendship has some kind of manufacturing agreement with Fitzroy Yachts, which is a tremendous manufacturer of the new-breed super or mega yachts. Their quality is superb.

[FlyingEagle]

You are absolutely right. So, alternatively, he can name the new life raft “Catsup”

[FlyingEagle]

You are absolutely right. So, alternatively, he can name the new life raft “Catsup”

[bitterohiogunclinger]

I’d say it was a yacht. But the builder says it was designed to be sailed by just the owner without a crew, so what do I know.

Technically it’s the “Sloop John Kerry”.

[kcvl]

My father in law has a 40 something foot sailboat but it is nothing like that.

We need to talk about this... LOL!

[kcvl]

I want to watch them sail with that china on the table!

[bjc]

It is a beauty. It must be designed for someone with short arms. Around Boston, Kerry is renowned for the fact that his hands cannot reach his wallet.

[maggief]

“my sailboat”

I thought he said he didn’t own it.

[piytar]

“On Tuesday night, Mr. Kerry?s office released a statement remarking that he would pay the full amount he owes to the state of Massachusetts.”

Yup. But do you see it? The lawyer-speak? The hole you could drive Kerry’s “not-a-yacht” through?

Here it is: According to Kerry, he owes $0. And he’s willing to pay every last cent of it!

[Lou L]

Say what you want about Kerry, but the guy has exquisite taste in sailboats. The Friendship 75 is a vessel with few equals.

If I had married into money like Kerry did, I'd have exquisite taste in sailboats, too!

[eyedigress]

It's a case of liberal semantics. I think he said it depends on who owns it.

[Raycpa]

On Tuesday night, Mr. Kerry’s office released a statement remarking that he would pay the full amount he owes to the state of Massachusetts.

As long as its in RI he owes Mass nothing.

[NautiNurse]

[Delta Dawn]

You are missing the point of having a ‘sailboat’ in RI.

Hey honey, I have to run down to the boat this weekend. Capn’ says that the #2 engine is idling a bit rough. I need to check that out. I’ll call you from DC on Monday dear.

Probably a little JE syndrome going on.

[eyedigress]

Very true. He knows tax law and knows how burdensome MA is. He’s a freakin’ genius.