Woody Boater In Monte Carlo! Can You Afford To Read This?
While folks were reporting in from all over the country this weekend. Photo’s were flowing in from fellow Woody Boater Chad Durren in Monico.. Yup, home of the late Grace Kelly and home to the so rich that they don’t know they are rich. As Chad put it. ‘I believe Monte Carlo is the wealthiest place on earth. I feel like Larry the Cable Guy around here.” Here is Chads report.
Monte Carlo – Chad Durren reporting in.
I’m here doing an event and I had the morning off. I scheduled a tour of Monaco Boat Services, the largest Riva dealer in the world. While the restoration of the vintage Rivas takes place in Sarnico, Italy, Monte Carlo is the location of the historic “tunnel” or cave that Carlo had carved into the side of the mountain to store the wooden boats. Today, the tunnel is used for repair and dry dock storage for private owners (and their cars). Simply drive your Ferrari into the cave, pull your Riva off the shelf, and go for spin.
The area in front of the MBS is very active right now as the parking lot will be used as a paddock for the upcoming Grand Prix.
VERY COOL stuff.
Thanks Chad for making us all feel poor…er. Here is Chads last report in…
” I’m already over the initial excitement of Monaco. I want a flippin cheeseburger!”
Nice shirt!
Chad: You look like larry the cable guy, just ct the sleves off your tee shirt.
Must have ben like being in a candy store with no money…
Do they even allow t-shirts in Monaco? Ah yes, you’re in Monico, WI (I looked it up, pop 364), so you’re in the clear.
Been, myself, in über wealthy places before. Bet you’re just wondering: a) “where’s mine” (Riva, Ferrari, impossibly sexy arm candy), and thinking b) “it just CAN’T be as hard as I thought it was to make money.”
After a while on that mind merry-go-round, you realize: a) “there is no “mine” when it comes to costly toys.” (I’m including the female “decoration” with that), b) “it really IS as hard as I always thought to make money; much of the world’s just happens to be here.”
And c), “I’m one lucky guy to have my 18-U, my sweet wife, and my adorable Lily.”
Enjoy yourself! If you have an expense account, max it out (unless you own your company). Visit a casino and introduce yourself as “Durren, Chad Durren.” And, above all, if you see a young exotic filly lounging on the sunpad of her XK-19 (a boat which would look just fine in Monaco, but might get stolen in Monico), snap a few pics and send them to Mayer.
I was questioned by the police for my SOV “gang” affiliation.
Heading home today. Can’t wait to see my beautiful family and drive my pick-up. We may even drive north to Monico, Wisconsin? I’m sure there is a casino nearby.
PRICELESS!
Nice pics in the land of the rich and famous. How do the bow moorings on all those boats in the water function. I don’t see any floats.
Chad,
Which yacht(with a Riva dingy) are you driving home?
Matt B: It’ll be the fastest one. He’s got to outrun the cops.
“Monaco has the largest police force and police presence in the world on both a per-capita and per-area basis. Its police includes a specialist unit which operates patrol and surveillance Boats.”
We’re rootin’ fur ya Chad! Oh, and don’t forget to fill that yacht on your company expense account. Submit it under “Travel.”
Regarding the bow mooring – there is a heavy cable that runs in front of all of the boats that lays on the bottom of the water. Then there is a mooring line attached to the cable in front of each boat position which is used to attach to the bow cleat. It runs all the way to the dock so it does not fall away when the boat is not in its position. The boat is back ed, stern tied, then the bow line attached. Note also that there are no finger docks – the boats are all rafted side-by-side which is why European fenders are heavier than ours so they will not ride up in the rafting. Hevier in terms of weight, and also overall construction.
Next time I visit Monaco, I’m taking Marty with me.
I need an Italian translator around the harbor… and a French translator in all of the restaurants.
My communication is limited to “hello, goodbye, and more wine please”.
The next best thing would be to come to the concours in aug at Tahoe to see lots of rivas.
Chad isn’t it a little like around the big lake in soutwest Michigan in the summer when all the big boats show up?
Ha, a big boat in SW Michigan (inland) is a 24ft pontoon.
To give you a sense of scale (the bottom picture), the small Rivas on the left in the foreground are 44 footers.
Chad,
Did you visit our brothers at the “Sons of Stoppani” clubhouse?
They wouldn’t let me in the door. Turns out you need a secret password to enter. I tried “I gotta woody” and they sent me to some French club.
Try “I’m with TEXX, he’s parking the ENZO”
Chad, Thanks for bringing us all back to earth again ! Just when I thought I was doing great, there that Monte Carlo Grand Prix and all those ultra rich/chic folks to make me cry in my beer ! Scooter
I witnessed a Bentley – Ferrari auto accident in front of my hotel this past week, NO LIE.
Scott, cheer up. Crying in one’s beer means one HAS a beer to cry in. Hence the expression “Cheers!” Or something like that… Another reason to cheer up. At least it wasn’t YOUR Bentley or Ferrari in that crash. Then again, I’ll bet you’d be cheerier if you OWNED a Beltley or Ferrari. Me too. Which brings me back to the beer…
I might not have a Ferarri, but at least I don’t have to do my boating in a fiberglas Arabian. All in all I would say most of us are pretty darn lucky, even if we are not quite Monaco jet set lucky.
Wow, I thought it was pretty cool living in Europe currently, but apparently I am in the wrong part. Just a couple weeks ago I rode my bike ten minutes to the Ferrari dealer and drooled over about 30 different models. And the Rivas, I’m going to cry now.
Through some strange twist of fate I am going to be in Monaco this weekend (it’s certainly not my usual stomping grounds) and was planning to send you a surprise report from the Monaco Boat Services. I guess Chad stole my thunder. I’ll look for a new angle. Here’s one other little piece of Monaco trivia: A prime yacht mooring spot in the Monaco harbor during the Monte Carlo Grand Prix goes for $250,000.
WTF!!!!!!!
This weekend is the Grand Prix Historique, the vintage race class. I’d love to watch the race from the tunnel or the chicane outside the tunnel. I cannot believe the speeds they reach on such tight streets.
Just over the top of the tunnel exit, on a private balcony, is a good spot……bring your ear muffs……