Inside JFK's lavish presidential yacht that was also used by Richard Nixon and Harry Truman - as renovated vessel can now be rented for $3,000 an hour The 93-year-old vessel is named Honey Fitz after JFK's maternal grandfather It still harbors a spread of 'historical features and components' Some of the highlights include a main salon, a sun deck, and a modern galley By Sadie Whitelocks For Dailymail.com Published: 19:45 BST, 22 July 2024 | Updated: 19:46 BST, 22 July 2024 e-mail View comments A Presidential yacht used by five past U.S.
leaders has hit the rental market from $3,000 an hour. The 93-year-old vessel, named Honey Fitz after JFK's maternal grandfather, is moored at the Pelican Club events venue in Jupiter, Florida , following an extensive three-year refit. Over the years, the boat served five Presidents - Harry S.
Truman, Dwight D. Eisenhower, Lyndon B. Johnson, Richard M.
Nixon, and John F. Kennedy - and now it is being offered for public use. A website dedicated to the yacht, reveals that it still harbors a spread of 'historical features and components dating back to the yacht's initial construction in 1931, its role during World War II , and its esteemed service to U.
S. presidents from 1945 to 1971.' It goes on to describe it as a 'living testament to an important piece of American history, reflecting the legacy and luxury of a bygone era.
' A Presidential yacht used by five past U.S. leaders has hit the rental market from $3,000 an hour The 93-year-old vessel, named Honey Fitz after JFK's maternal grandfather, is moored at the Pelican Club events venue in Jupiter, Florida, following an extensive three-year refit Over the years, the boat served five Presidents - Truman, Eisenhower, Johnson, Nixon, and Kennedy - and now it is being offered for public use After her stint in the spotlight, the boat was decommissioned by Nixon and she was put up for sale at auction in 1970 The wooden boat was constructed in 1931 by Defoe Boat & Motor Works in Bay City, Michigan, for American businessman, Sewell Avery.
However, it was later seized by the government after Sewell refused to settle a weeks-long union strike as the chairman of the former department store chain, Montgomery Ward. At first she was used in a war capacity before becoming a tender for a larger Presidential yacht. But eventually she became used as a leisure cruiser for Presidents.
After her stint in the spotlight, the boat was decommissioned by Nixon and she was put up for sale at auction in 1970. She then changed hands several times and was in a state of near-disrepair before being snapped up by classic yacht restoration hobbyist, Charles Modica. The refit project was led by veteran boat expert Captain Greg Albritton, with the aim being to restore her to her Kennedy-era glory.
During the restoration process, he told WPTV : 'We made it back exactly the way that it was during President Kennedy's administration. In one of the guest cabins, there are framed photos of the Kennedy family enjoying life at sea on the boat Following its refurbishment, the 93-ft-long yacht can 'comfortably accommodate up to 35 passengers,' according to the website Its current owners state the the vessel is 'perfect for a variety of events including corporate functions, luncheons, private parties, intimate weddings, family gatherings, and much more' While there are no prices listed on the official website, a venue listings site markets it for hire at $3,000 per hour for a minimum of two hours The refit project was led by veteran boat expert Captain Greg Albritton, with the aim being to restore its Kennedy-era glory The wooden boat was constructed in 1931 by Defoe Boat & Motor Works in Bay City, Michigan, for American businessman, Sewell Avery 'The furniture back here will be exactly like the furniture that was on the boat. 'We have these small couches in here now but we are redoing the chair for the back that President Kennedy sat on at the time when he was on the boat.
We're really trying to make it exact to history.' Following its refurbishment, the 93-ft-long yacht can 'comfortably accommodate up to 35 passengers,' according to the website. Some of the highlights include a main salon, a sun deck, a fully outfitted galley, and a private stateroom.
In one of the guest cabins, there are also framed photos of the Kennedy family enjoying life at sea on the boat. Its current owners state the the vessel is 'perfect for a variety of events including corporate functions, luncheons, private parties, intimate weddings, family gatherings, and much more.' While there are no prices listed on the official Honey Fitz website , venue listings site Tag Venue markets Honey Fitz at $3,000 per hour for a minimum of two hours.
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