This weekend I was meeting a friend on Treasure Island and while waiting a great photo opportunity presented itself. Â The largest privately owned sailboat the Maltese Falcon, owned by venture capitalist Tom Perkins, sailed past with the San Francisco skyline as a backdrop. Â Now while I focus on landscape and nature subjects I won’t hesitate to photograph an interesting event or news worthy subject. With that in mind if you plan to “go with the flow” in regard to photo opportunities its critical to always have your camera gear on hand.
Back to the Maltese Falcon… I’m not a mega-yacht tracker, but I did happen to see Tom Perkin’s interviewed on 60 Minutes sometime ago and he was very coy in talking about the cost of the boat. Not surprising given his vast wealth and the numerous charities that could benefit from money thrown at this boat he remained secretive on the specific cost to build it. He did eventually state the range in the interview of being between $150 million  and $300 million.  Â
Click on for more photos…
[tags]Tom Perkins, Maltese Falcon, yacht, sailing, clipper, San Francisco, photography, stock photo[/tags]
Looking at how much she is listing, I can only image how big (and heavy) her keel must be…something you usually don’t think about with luxury yachts! Very impressive to see her under full sail. Thanks for sharing Jim!
Saw it last week in Sausalito. Was in my town last year… these guys travel a lot 🙂 That ship costs more than $30M
Great – it looks like the old Chinese Junks – funny how the latest technology starts looking like older, well thought out ideas – i.e. the new NASA moon rocket.
Soon, I imagine, you’ll be able to put a new digital sensor in a film-like camera body and we wont have to throw away so many cameras.
@latoga I’ll have to post a couple others later with the ship listing even further.
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@luca I had heard it was lit up nicely in Sausalito last week. That would have been quite a sight to see.
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@Marten Great observation. Funny how some of the most innovative technologies root themselves in the appearance of their historical counterparts. I like your idea on the film sensor insert. Sadly by the time that is in place we’ll all have converted by then. BTW congratulations on the Banff Mountain Photography Competition win!
Nice catch, Jim. I saw these sails hiding behind the tip of Angel Island as I was coming out of the Caldecott Tunnel. Even from 10 miles or more, I could tell it was something unusual. I was surprised when I saw it was a boat, ‘cuz as a boater on the bay, I’m pretty familiar with various sails. I originally thought it was some type of special art installation.
Cheers,
Wow, never saw this ship before. Quite amazing. Thanks for sharing these Jim.
Re: Marten’s comment: There actually was a digital film insert marketed awhile back called eFilm – they made them for several pro camera bodies – it never caught on. I really don’t see camera manufacturer’s taking on this – if they get so many photographers to just buy an entire new body now, why would they want to go down that route? So much is integrated into the body itself, they would have to really limit themselves on putting something into a insertable cartridge.