For the ultimate in naval simulation....

[Platapus]

I, like many people, receive the Hammacher Schlemmer catalog in the mail. For the uninitiated, HS is a store that sells outrageously expensive and totally decadent luxury items to buy. Children's battery operated cars for $25,000 is hardly note worthy in this catalog.

In the latest catalog, they are selling a refurbished 1945 PT boat.

http://www.hammacher.com/Product/12127?promo=search

This is PT-728, a 66 1/2 year-old restored Patrol Torpedo Boat from World War II. With a keel laid on August 10, 1945, she is one of 12 remaining PT boats in the world.

She is "armed" (all weapons are deactivated) with a single .50- and two twin .50-caliber Browning machine gun stations, an aft 20mm Oerlikon cannon, four tubes that each housed a Mark VIII torpedo, and two depth charge launchers. Built in the Annapolis Yacht Yard using a 72' British Vosper design, her hard-chined, triple-ply mahogany hull is nearly flat at the stern, allowing her to "plane" on top of the water at speeds up to 42 knots, a necessity for quick getaways after a torpedo run.

So compelling was a PT boat's performance that Nelson Rockefeller converted one into a high-speed yacht for commutes between Albany and New York City. Updated with modern electronics, radar, and two turbo-charged diesel engines providing 1,100 total horsepower, she is the only PT boat in existence licensed by the U.S. Coast Guard for carrying passengers. Special conditions and guarantee limitations apply. Please call 1-800-227-3528 for details. 72' L x 18' W x 7' 4" H. (45 tons)

Notice the shipping weight.

And the price? $1,000,000. One frickin MILLION dollars In a catalog!

Oh and shipping is 6% so the grand total is $1,060,000. It does not mention whether gift wrapping is available.

Who exactly would be looking through the HS catalog and decide impulsively, hey, that looks cool. Only a million, let's order it!

I think that is the most expensive single item HS has ever offered.

I wonder if they will get a buyer?