Captain Haddock Didn't Need a Helipad

Anyone who's traveled down New York's West Side Highway in the past few weeks has seen Roman Abramovich's mega-yacht, The Eclipse, parked at Pier 92. While it has already been eclipsed by a 590-foot-long yacht as the world's largest, the oligarch's floating McMansion, at 557 feet, is a boat like Versailles is a house.

Then there is theShields-Class sailboat, elegant and low to the water, with an open cockpit and no bunks, for day races. You feel the spray of saltwater, get a workout and enjoy yourself. New Shields boats go for around $65,000, though you can buy aused one in good condition for around $25,000.