Seasonal Southward Migration of Plutocrats Pauses in North Cove
A reasonable observer might assume that there is a super-yacht convention in progress on local waters, given the profusion of pleasure craft with eight-figure price tags currently berthed in Battery Park City’s basin. But such an observer would be wrong: The dockmaster at North Cove’s IGY Marina, who is directly familiar with comings and goings of sea-faring billionaires, explained that the armada has assembled spontaneously as part of the autumnal exodus from the waters of the northeast (think Newport and Martha’s Vineyard) to spend winter months in warmer climes (think Palm Beach and St. Bart’s). He added that this seagoing stampede has North Cove booked solid for the next month, because it is one of the few local marinas deep enough and wide enough to accommodate vessels the size of a U.S. Navy destroyer, circa World War Two.
Among the well-heeled guests temporarily moored in Lower Manhattan is the 164-foot-long Night Howl (above right), which, in addition to six deluxe cabins and one VIP suite, features a helicopter and landing pad. It is owned by Wall Street titan Richard Handler, who paid $64 million for the boat last year.
While some super yachts treat North Cove as a venue for one-night stands, Night Howl will remain for more than a month. This may be enough time to channel your inner Leonardo DiCaprio and enact a Wolf of Wall Street fantasy by standing near the stern throwing money at passersby.