Boat International – August 2019

OWNERS’ CLUB

of all the little bays and tying up stern-toand

having blissful, balmy evenings.

If you haven’t been to Turkey, yet, whatareyou

waiting for? Head to Göcek orMarmaris

immediately. Some of the best coastlineinthe

world is waiting for you. And the mostperfect,

clear seas. It’s a bit like the East CoastoftheUS

• people just skip it, or think it’s a bittoofarfrom
  Palma! It’s a good five-day trip, dependingonthe
  wind, but you won’t regret it.

I’m thinking of exploring a little furthernext

time. I’d love to get up into the BlackSeaanddo

Romania, Bulgaria and Ukraine. There’ssomuch

history up there that’d I’d love to see.I’mgoingto

start reading up about it because I thinkthat’son

my list for next year. B

Eddie Jordan’s fee for this column hasbeen

donated to charity

orepeopleneedtogetuptothe East
CoastoftheUSintheirboats. At
themoment,toomanyofustake the
easyoption–MedtoCaribbean;
CaribbeantoMed.Butifyoudetouredjusta little
bit,youcouldexplorethemostamazingcoastline.
Ihadtobreakoutofmyroutinetogothere the
firsttime.ItwasbackwhenIownedanOyster
655,andMarieandIdecidedtospendasummer
intheHamptonsanduparoundNewport,
playinggolfatsomeoftheincrediblecourses
they’vegotupthere.IthinkIrishpeoplehave an
affinityforthatpartoftheStates,andIreally felt
thatinplaceslikeBostonandCapeCod.
ThegolfwashowIconvincedMarie– she
playsoffthreeandhashammeredmeatsome of
thebestcoursesintheworld:theNational,
Bridgehampton,ShinnecockHills.Imean, this
isaMeccaforgolf;simplystunning.Ifyou love
thegameandyou’vegotaboat,it’sano-brainer.
Wesnuckunderthebridgestogetinto
NewYork,too,andmooredlessthana
milefromGroundZero.Idon’tknow
muchabouttheWestCoastbutI’m
determinedtogettoVancouverand
AlaskainBlush.I’vereadalotaboutthat
areaandthenaturesoundsincredible.

I’ve nevermeta USpresident,but
bizarrelyIhavemetanotherpresident
who’s neveroutoftheheadlines –
VladimirPutin.IsoldpartofmyF1team
toaRussiangroupin 2004 andaspartof
thatweputonademonstrationwithone
ofthecarsinRedSquare.Theyalsoput
upasoundstageandIgottoplaywithmy
bandthereandhaveoneofmycarsdoa
demonstrationonthecobblestones.I
don’tthinkitdidthecarmuchgood,but
itwasaprettyimpressivedisplay!
ThatwasthefirsttimeImetPutin.
TheverynextnightIwasinvitedtoplay
attheBritishambassador’sresidence.
CrazyIknow,butthat’sthepowerof
motorracing.ImetPutinonafewother

occasions, like during the Russian Grand Prix in

Sochi. I have no idea what he’s really like behind

the scenes, but our meetings were always very

informal and cordial. Normal, even, if you can

call something like that normal. I’ve never met

Trump, but I’ve played on a few of his golf

courses. I’m a good mate of [the golfer] Rory

McIlroy’s and he knows him pretty well.

We’ve had some good times on the boat lately. My

youngest son, Kyle, turned 30 and we had a trip

with him around Saint-Tropez. I also had [Oyster

Yachts owner] Richard Hadida on board for his

birthday. The boat is now on charter in Capri and

will be busy with customers all July and August.

I’ll get it back in September, and I can’t wait to

take it over to Greece and Turkey. I’ve always

chartered gulets out there so it’ll be the first time

in my own boat and we’re going to spend a whole

month cruising there. I have wonderful memories

Lippy from the Liffey

Eddie Jordan recommends cruising away from the beaten track – so after

sampling golfing heaven in the Hamptons, it’s off to blissful, balmy Turkey

M

Illustration David Hopkins

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08 2019