The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1890-08-12
RICH MEMS SPORT
What It Costs to Own a First
Class Yacht and Sail Her.
1T TAKES A BARREL OF MONEY.

Yachting Affords Lot of Fun-Janes
Gordon Benefits Steam Yacht Ma
mouna-A Sample of the Best in the
World.
How much does it cost to run yacht
You might as well ask what it costs to
keep house. The dinner of a millionaire
may be as unpretentious as that of a
thrifty farmer, while the dinner offhis next
door neighbor, who is worth perhaps only
five Thousand year, will be prepared by a
French cook and served in ten courses
with wines ad ibitun. It's all matter
of taste
If man on shore is extravagapt in his
habits he viii be sure to carry his sumptu-
Gus elegance on board of his yacht, and
during the sailing season is apt to give lit
tie attention to the matter of expenditure
as long as he and his guests enjoy good
time. An economical owner Of first class
craft, say large sloop or schooner, will
limit his yachting outiaySto $40, 900 or $685.
600 year, but the instances are numerous
in which the amount runs well up to $780,
600.
The amount of expenditure depends on
the size Of your yacht and whether it is a
steamer or not. An expert who has fur
nished much of this inform alton says that
the usual wages paid to men on yachts is
rather more than the pay in the merchant
service, while the pan are better fed and
clothed. The average is about $50 a month,
and at the end of the season, if their work
has been creditably performed, it is Gus
tomary to give them an additional sum as
''merit money" As rule the sailors are
foreigners, many of them being Scandina-
VANS and Germans. If they are Ameri-
cans they have generally had an admirable
training on fishing smacl1s and coasters,
and naturally become the best of profes-
sional yachtsmen.
Among the minor expenses the uniforms
of the men constitute no small item, to
which must be added the daily wear and
tear of the boat, the renewal of spars and
rigging and the bills for towage. Many
enthusiastic Sportsmen prefer to sail their
own boats, while others, who don't know
the difference between a marline-Spike and
jibboom, are satisfied to enjoy the dolce
far niente of life on the ocean wave, " and
leave the real fun and excitement of han
ding their craft to the sailing master. The
first viii not spend SIS in d season, while
the last won't hesitate to dfsburse S15 q
day to be dragged around by tugboat.
In England men before the mast receive
from three to four pounds per month with
which they form their own mess and live
as they choose The officers are also paid
less than on this side Of the Atlantic An
mt ayliY nf pT,lry fr<.t
class yacht III America is the cook, and
some Of this class who have fancy employ
ers with epicureGn tastes are as high priced
as the chefs of cuisine on shore. The av-
erage cook, however, receives from 81 to
$3.50 per day. Among the larger sailing
yachts, say like the Dauntless, the crew
when in commission will consist of four
teen men before the mast, two officers,
three cooks, two stewards and two boys,
making a pay roll OF about 81 200 per
mouth, to which must be added the cost of
food, clothing and repairs, wines and the
expenses of entertainment, for when gen
uine yachtsman goes on a cruise there are
dinners, balls, receptions, music and the
qualification of the lovely women who con
stitute part of his guests to make prepa-
ration for, and all of this takes pile of
money,
It is said of Commodore Garner, of the
Mohawk, that his expenses were about a
Thousand dollars day. II will therefore
be seen that yachting is an expensive
amusement when conducted on eminently
high toned principles.
In steam yachts the engineers and assis-
tants receive about the same pay rs the
sailing master and mates, and the fremen
the same as men before the mast. The
cost OF fuel and engineer;s supplies also
adds to the expense. The three largest
steam yachts in the country are Mr As
tors Nourmahal, 233 feet long and $50 tons
burden; Mr. GOulds Atalanta, 80 feet
long and IA tons burden, and James Cor
don Benefits NamOuna 226 feet long and
SO tons burden. Shortly after the latter
was built it was written concerning her
that she is the most luxurious and expen-
siveiy run yacht in the world"
She is an iron three master with steel
decks and carries ut all times a full com
plement of men. She is always ready for
an ocean voyage, and can at any moment
man all her boats in case of necessity. Her
crew numbers upward of fifty men. Mr..
Bennett commands and navigateS her him
self. Then there are four officers, who
take watch and watch; four engineers, nine
iremen and coal passers, ten men before
the mast, boaIswaiIl, gunner, ships carpen-
ter, two deck boys, four quartermasters,
first and second steward and four cabin
walters, two cabin boys, chief COOK and
four assistants, four mess boys, e5c. Mr..
Bennett has among his crew many old en-
ployeS, who receive larger salaries than is
usually paid, so that his monthly pay roll
must foot up at least $500. At d moder-
ate estimate it will cost an average of fifty
cents a day per head to feed this crew,
making alone the snug little sum Of 500
per month.
When ct sea the Namouna burns in tbs
reighboThood OF twenty tons OF coal day.
This at 1915 per ton amounts TO Si5 per
day, OF in a month of cruising TO $3.50
When to this is added the cost OF repairs,
engineers and mates stores, the interest
at per cent. on about SlSj, 900 and proper
allowance for the depreciation of the value
OF the property it viii be seen ohst with
out reference to the cost OF maintaining
the cabin and wine locker the expense Of
running yacht like the Nanouna issome-
thing fabulous. AT a rOngh estimate So, 600
a month Is probably within the mark But
Tor this money the owner has a floating
palace as u home. He Is free to 50 wher-
ever be chooses ana at whatever tins it
suits his purpose.
lie has his own luxurious cabin, dressing
table and bed; ne hiss his own porcelain
bath adjoining his room, and can write at
table without being hustled away by
the steward who wants to lay the cloth
an hour and half befose luncheon. More
than all, be don't have TO lie 10 the ships
doctor III order to keep bCht all night.
In reference 10 TIE cost OF racing that il