Should Large Power Boats be Banned?

[ferrailleur]

Such a sadly politicized post....

No banning... This is just more socialist America trying now to invade our waters....no banning or overtaxing the mega yachts.... Their owners pay their fair share like the Porsche or Ferrari owners who pay more taxes (registration/insurance) than Toyota Corolla owners.

Let the mega yachts owners live their lives... and give us the joy to admire from a distance with no envy or resentment!!!

Originally Posted by Dockhead

We've had a lively discussion in another thread devoted to the retirement of Steve & Linda Dashew, about whether it's morally acceptable to design large power yachts in view of the possible environmental damage they might cause.

I'm starting this thread to move the discussion to a separate place, as it distracts from discussion of the Dashews and their career.

My opinion on the matter, for whatever little it may be worth (opinions are like . . . . and so forth) is that there is no justifiable reason whatsoever to single out power boats, when so many recreational activities have some carbon footprint or another.

Discuss! Please be polite and respectful to each other.

[MickWay]

Are you going to start on the grey nomads next who travel round the country side in large bus like motor homes. Some people like a bit of comfort and can afford it. Leave them alone, same goes for boaties.

[Snowpetrel]

No they shouldn't. An odd stance from a rabid greenie like myself. BUT,

A heavy carbon tax that accurately accounts for the long term costs of creating masses of GH gasses and depleting a non renewable resources should be imposed across the board.

And the current rising global weath inequalities need to be addressed somehow. So that there are less obscenely weathy individuals wasting resources with private jets and huge ugly superyachts.

[Woodland Hills]

Originally Posted by Snowpetrel

No they shouldn't. An odd stance from a rabid greenie like myself. BUT,

A heavy carbon tax that accurately accounts for the long term costs of creating masses of GH gasses and depleting a non renewable resources should be imposed across the board.

And the current rising global weath inequalities need to be addressed somehow. So that there are less obscenely weathy individuals wasting resources with private jets and huge ugly superyachts.

Is all wealth obscene and are all super yachts ugly? I never knew this...... Or are you OK with pretty super yachts and not-so-obscene wealth? And at what point does ones life earnings and savings become "obscene"? When one has more than you?

[ferrailleur]

Originally Posted by ferrailleur

Such a sadly politicized post....

No banning... This is just more socialist America trying now to invade our waters....no banning or overtaxing the mega yachts.... Their owners pay their fair share like the Porsche or Ferrari owners who pay more taxes (registration/insurance) than Toyota Corolla owners.

Let the mega yachts owners live their lives... and give us the joy to admire from a distance with no envy or resentment!!!

I hope this thread is deleted for good.... so much hate, division, envy, jealousy, reparation, etc...

[captlloyd]

No.

[Dockhead]

Originally Posted by ferrailleur

I hope this thread is deleted for good.... so much hate, division, envy, jealousy, reparation, etc...

Oh, come on. What hate? Not a single voice in favor of banning!! And lots of good humor, mixed with a number of thoughtful policy suggestions. I'm actually pleasantly surprised.

[Snowpetrel]

Originally Posted by Woodland Hills

Is all wealth obscene and are all super yachts ugly? I never knew this...... Or are you OK with pretty super yachts and not-so-obscene wealth? And at what point does ones life earnings and savings become "obscene"? When one has more than you?

The shear greed that they represent makes them ugly. Owned by ugly people whose self worth is measured by the cost of their toys.

[Attikos]

You don't get the government to hammer people for being ugly. You just try not to sit near them in restaurants.

[Dockhead]

Originally Posted by Snowpetrel

The shear greed that they represent makes them ugly. Owned by ugly people whose self worth is measured by the cost of their toys.

And you know this -- how? Do you know a lot of people like that, like, personally?

[mysticdreamer]

lets ban the human race. After all is it not us raping the planet for our own personal greed just saying

[Lake-Effect]

Originally Posted by Woodland Hills

Is all wealth obscene and are all super yachts ugly? I never knew this...... Or are you OK with pretty super yachts and not-so-obscene wealth? And at what point does ones life earnings and savings become "obscene"? When one has more than you?

I'll give this one a shot. I am actually in favour of capitalism and freedom, because every person should have the freedom to chase their dream and to work (and earn) to their capacity, and because the promise of capitalism is that it is the most efficient way to produce and distribute goods and services.

...subject to the following conditions:

• one should not be allowed to diminish the living standards of others to increase their own wealth
• the wealthy pay their fair share of taxes, taking into account how their taxes pay for the safe regulated market that they earn profits from, and that makes it possible for their employees and customers to function, survive, and contribute to said wealth
• that the promise of benefits to all from capitalism (... ie the rising tide, the chance for everyone to earn a decent living) is realized

Another stab at it - given the choice of:
a) the wealthy have boats of X length, and some people die of treatable illnesses because they can't afford care -or -
b) the wealthy have boats of 0.9 X length, and no one goes without adequate healthcare

... most civilized societies have opted for b.


, I know, but this has been a crazy thread...

[ferrailleur]

Originally Posted by Lake-Effect

I'll give this one a shot. I am actually in favour of capitalism and freedom, because every person should have the freedom to chase their dream and to work (and earn) to their capacity, and because the promise of capitalism is that it is the most efficient way to produce and distribute goods and services.

...subject to the following conditions:

• one should not be allowed to diminish the living standards of others to increase their own wealth
• the wealthy pay their fair share of taxes, taking into account how their taxes pay for the safe regulated market that they earn profits from, and that makes it possible for their employees and customers to function, survive, and contribute to said wealth
• that the promise of benefits to all from capitalism (... ie the rising tide, the chance for everyone to earn a decent living) is realized

Another stab at it - given the choice of:
a) the wealthy have boats of X length, and some people die of treatable illnesses because they can't afford care -or -
b) the wealthy have boats of 0.9 X length, and no one goes without adequate healthcare

... most civilized societies have opted for b.


, I know, but this has been a crazy thread...

yes... crazy politicized thread.... Long Life Capitalism!!!...
Your (b): no one in America (citizen or illegal) goes without adequate healthcare!

[Deltasailor]

Originally Posted by Drew13440

Well, a true displacement trawler in the 40 ft. range doesn't burn any more fuel than a pick up truck, really. The pool of boaters who are able (can afford) to take the Dashew approach to about anything is really very small.


So I vote no, there's no reason to "ban" large powerboats.

Is that true? I use about 70 gallons a season in my 50hp yacht. About 10 mpg. My Audi TT does 52 mpg. What MPG dose a pick up truck do?

[Snowpetrel]

Originally Posted by Dockhead

And you know this -- how? Do you know a lot of people like that, like, personally?

No, I don't. But I have enough friends who work in the industry and have a good knowledge and a lot of interesting (and horrible) stories about the mindset of the owners and charterers of these large superyachts and megayachts.

Yep, its hard to forgive this level of opulence when people are dying of preventable diseases and kids are starving.

https://youtu.be/Er1kTF3smOE

https://youtu.be/q9lsI8-EpZ4