METEOR

Thanks to the courtesy of the owner and the captain, the Oracle and the Kitty were invited on board a magnificent sailing vessel the METEOR which was docked in Nantucket. This private sailing SUPERYACHT is 170 feet long, which is quite a bit longer than my old 13 foot Boston Whaler. It has huge sails (2000 sq meters) and blends modern technology with vintage style and grace.

The boat hull is made of alloy, and the masts and booms are carbon fiber. Everything on board is either teak or mahogany or BILLET stainless steel (milled from a single piece). The electronics are amazing. A motorhead's dream... I got to tour the engine room and see two Caterpillar diesel generators and a huge 800 horsepower MTU 12 cylinder diesel engine that powers the ship when it is not under sail. The engine room is as clean as an operating room. There is always some maintenance going on. Nothing is ever left to deteriorate because the sea works night and day to break down everything it can't put barnacles or seaweed on. The wood is painted with a two part epoxy varnish that makes it look like this helm. They must buy it by the 55 gallon drum because there is so much wood everywhere. The Kitty liked it because she could check her lipstick in the reflection.

This is the most magnificent vessel I have ever been on, and I have been around. Every place you walk (with your shoes off of course) you are greeted by perfectly maintained gleaming beauty and superb craftsmanship. If you are a technology person, there are enough touch screen electronics and navigational gizmos to keep your jaw dropped for hours. The boat is inspired and named after the yacht of Kaiser Wilhelm of Germany, Meteor 4.