The presidential motoryacht was made famous by Kennedy, and later sold by Richard Nixon
The former presidential motoryacht is undergoing a major restoration that should return the boat, named Honey Fitz, to its former glory.
Built in 1931, the 93ft boat was commandeered by the US military at the outbreak of the Second World War, and remained in government service following the conflict.
It was used by successive US presidents, but it was John F Kennedy that brought the boat fame, renaming it after his grandfather and spending considerable time on board with his family.
Richard Nixon wasn’t a fan, however, and sold it in 1970 after deeming it an extravagance.
It is now owned by businessman William Kallop, who originally contracted Moores Marine in Florida to fix a section of the boat’s hull.
But what began as a simple hull repair job has become a full-scale restoration.
James Moores from Moores Marine told The Palm Beach Post that he had consulted presidential libraries to learn all he could about the boat, and had obtained the original blueprints.
Moores said: “These boats are disappearing at such a rapid rate and once they’re gone, they’re not going to come back. We’re losing our maritime history.”
