Page:Yachting wrinkles; a practical and historical handbook of valuable information for the racing and cruising yachtsman (IA yachtingwrinkles00keneiala).pdf/275

 of sand, more or less narrow, should I think excite interest in marine underwriters, and induce them to offer attractive terms to yacht owners.

The most dangerous fire risk in New York or any other great city is eagerly sought for by the lynx-eyed agents of insurance companies. No tenement is too flimsy; no habitation exposed to the accident of a mouse and a nest of matches is too perilous for the competition wallahs of the gigantic corporations.

Bearing this in mind the owners of small craft have frequently tried, in the lack of aid from the large companies, to start a co-operative scheme of their own, but because of the want of an enterprising and intelligent organizer the project has always fallen through.

Early in the present year I was asked by a friend of mine to try to get a policy of marine insurance on a 35-foot yacht which is worth at least $4,000 as she floats—lead keel and all the latest improvements. I had the greatest difficulty in effecting the deal. As a matter of fact no insurance company jumped out of its shoes with alacrity to accept the risk. Had it been some ramshackle old schooner, rotten in hull, deficient in sails and rigging, and manned by a scanty crew, I was told there would be little or no trouble in consummating the transaction. Pleasure vessels are viewed with suspicion that they do not deserve. I allude principally to the smaller