Chevalier Taglang: President John Fitzgerald Kennedy and his yachts - JFK's Yachts

John Fitzgerald Kennedy and his yachts: a passion deeply ingrained in him

By François Chevalier @ Jacques Taglang

“I really don't know why it is that all of us are so committed to the sea, except I think it is because in addition to the fact that the sea changes and the light changes, and ships change, it is because we all came from the sea. And it is an interesting biological fact that all of us have, in our veins the exact same percentage of salt in our blood that exists in the ocean, and, therefore, we have salt in our blood, in our sweat, in our tears. We are tied to the ocean. And when we go back to the sea, whether it is to sail or to watch it we are going back from whence we came.”

John Fitzgerald Kennedy’s speech to crew of the defender Weatherly and the Australian challenger Gretel, the day before the first match race of the 1962 America’s Cup.

Newport, Rhode Island  September 14, 1962

JFK had a passion for sea and yachts since his very childhood. Due to the inspiring personality of this president, we wish to introduce the primary yachts he owned and/or sailed.

He had a true passion for his first boat Victura throughout his lifetime.

VICTURA

Wianno Senior – designed in 1914 – hull n° 94, wood gaff rigged sloop built in 1932 by Crosby Yacht Yard, Osterville, Massachusetts

©François Chevalier 2011 - Victura sail plan

LOA: 25’0’’

Beam: 8’0’’

Draft: 2’6’’

Sail area (Upwind): 308 sq. ft.

Displacement: -

On display at the Kennedy Presidential Library in Dorchester, Massachusetts

FLASH II

Star Class boat.

Designer: Francis Sweisguth, in 1910

©François Chevalier, 2011. Star sail plan

Built in 1930 by his first owner, H.B. Atkin

Owned by Joseph P. and John F. Kennedy from 1934 to 1939

Owned by John K. Kennedy in 1940 (one year only)

The two Kennedy brothers owned a first Star Class Flash (1932)

LOA: 22’9’’

LWL: 15’6’’

Beam: 5’8’’

Draft: 3’4’’

Sail Area: 285 sq. ft.

Displacement – keel: 885+/- 15lb

In 2004, it appears being detained by US Customs.

MARLIN

Motor yacht. Mahogany built. Rum-runner hull configuration

©François Chevalier, 2011. Marlin profile

Designer: Walter J. McInnis

Builder: F.D. Lawler

Where: Quincy, Massachusetts

When launched: 1930

First owner: Edsel Ford

Second owner: Schenley Distillers

During Second WW drafted into coastal patrol service (Coast Guard)

Third owner: Yellow Cab Company of Cambridge, Mass.

Owned from 1952 to 1970 by the Kennedy family

Present owner: Diego Della Valle, Italy (since 2005)

LOA: 52’

LWL: -

Beam: 12’

Draft: 3.5’

Displacement: -

Engines: two Sterling Dolphin 6-cylinder 300hp

©Dominique Gabirault Collection

©Dominique Gabirault Collection. Early configuration

HONEY FITZ, ex BARBARA ANNE, ex-LENORE II

Motor yacht. Mahogany built.

©François Chevalier, 2011. Honey Fitz profile

Designer: Bowes

Builder: Defoe Boat Works

Where: Bay City, Michigan

When launched: 1931

First owner: Sewell L. Avery

Second owner: US Coast Guard from 1942 to 1945

Permanent transfer to US Navy: end 1945. Tender for Williamburg, president Harry S. Truman’s yacht. Then sailed by president Dwigth D. Eisenhower, renamed Barbara Anne.

President JFK renamed her Honey Fitz. She remained in use for presidents Lyndon Johnson and Richard Nixon.

Sold in 1970. Owns to a private group.

LOA: 92’3’’

LWL: -

Beam: 16’6’

Draft: 4’10’’

Displacement: 88 tons

Cruising speed: 12 knots