Richmond Square

I’ve heard this too many times to count: if you can’t afford to wad up twenty-dollar bills and flush them away, you don’t have enough money for a boat. Between the cost of buying (and financing) the vessel, taxes, maintenance, fuel, and mooring fees, it’s probably true. I’ve always dreamed of boat ownership, though I realize it’s not likely to ever happen. It felt personal when I read about the fire that broke out earlier this month at the Richmond Yacht Basin. It burned twelve hours, taking with it the dreams of at least fifteen people. The next day the community decided not to cancel their 24^th annual Parade of Lights, a promenade of dozens of gaily lit boats along fourteen miles of the James River. The event draws 8,000 happy spectators every December. I do hope those fifteen yachts were insured, and that their owners will find a way to sail again.