Honey Fitz is a historic yacht renowned for its association with former president John F. Kennedy and its legacy in American presidential history. The yacht, built in 1931 is now 93 years old and continues to capture public interest, frequently appearing in documentaries and exhibitions exploring the presidential history and maritime heritage.
Overview
- Name: Honey Fitz (Other names include CG-92004, The Presidents, Patricia, Barbara Anne, Lenore II)
- Type: Motor Yacht
- Length: 92 feet. 3 inches
- Beam: 16 feet. 6 inches
- Cruising Speed: 12 Knots
- Weight: 88 tons
- Built: 1931
- Builder: Defoe Boat Works, Michigan
- Designer: Thomas D. Bowes
Honey Fitz Yacht: Exploring the Origin and History
Honey Fitz is a motor yacht built in 1931 by the Defoe Shipbuilding Co. in Bay City, Michigan. It is the seventh-largest yacht built by Defoe, measuring approximately 92 feet in length, with a beam of about 5.06 meters and a volume of 94 GT.
The yacht features luxurious cabins, a main salon, Lone Stateroom, a wheelhouse, dining areas, and expansive deck space, blending classic 20th-century charm with modern amenities.
It was first built for the contentious tycoon and Montgomery Ward Chairman, Sewell Avery. Its original name was Lenore II. Lenore was named after Avery’s daughter.
The yacht was later seized by the United States Government in 1942 after Avery Avery couldn’t pay $30,000 for Franklin Roosevelt’s National Recovery Act relief funds.
Afterward, Lenore was renamed CG-92004 and served during World War II. Then, the yacht became the tender for the president’s yacht, the USS Potomac, which Franklin Roosevelt used. That’s when it started its career as a presidential yacht.
It has since been renamed and reused by numerous private owners. However, the name “Honey Fitz” has remained popular among the public after JFK renamed it. He named the yacht after his maternal grandfather, John Francis “Honey Fitz” Fitzgerald, a well-known politician from Boston.
Sailing Through History: Honey Fitz Yacht in Presidential Service and the Kennedy Era
Honey Fitz served five consecutive U.S. presidents including Harry S. Truman, Dwight D. Eisenhower, John F. Kennedy, Lyndon B. Johnson, and Richard M. Nixon. The yacht was upgraded to presidential status by President Harry S. Truman, who mostly used it as a support vessel for the larger and more luxurious Williamsburg.
In 1946, when JFK campaigned for Congress, Honey Fitz played a vital role in planning his campaign. Serving as a symbol of its era, the yacht acted as a floating White House, hosting important diplomatic meetings and state events.
Moreover, it served as a retreat for Kennedy and his family, offering them moments of relaxation and bonding amidst the pressures of leadership. Additionally, they frequently used it to host important guests in Hyannis Port, Massachusetts, and Palm Beach, Florida.
After that, Lyndon Johnson used the yacht to entertain and Nixon renamed her Patricia, honoring his wife, and then put it up for sale in 1971.
Post Presidential Use: Where is the ‘Honey Fitz Yacht’ today?
Current Location
Today, the Honey Fitz is docked in the heart at Love Street by Charlie & Joe’s and the Pelican Club in Jupiter, Florida.
The yacht made its debut at the 2023 Palm Beach International Boat Show, returning to an area the yacht often visited. It was located near a popular spot called Camelot, which reminds people of the Kennedy era.
Now, Honey Fitz is available to organize lavish events and voyages, merging its prestigious presidential past with contemporary comforts and stylish design.
Restoration Efforts
The classic yacht restoration enthusiast Charles Modica is currently the proud owner of the iconic Honey Fitz Yacht. In 2020, he discovered Honey Fitz in poor condition and started to refurbish it. Over three years, Charlie meticulously planned and executed the classic yacht’s makeover, aiming to restore it to its iconic “Camelot” era glory days.
Further, he collaborated with NFL legend Joe Namath, Honey Fitz Captain Greg Albritton, and Brad London, the founder of Total Refit at Rybovich Marina. Similarly, they made specific repairs, and restored, and renovated it to look like it did in its best days, bringing back memories of Camelot. Modica says,
“The Honey Fitz was using these waters extensively when John Kennedy was president over here at Peanut Island as well as upon the beach itself, It’s very fitting that after a three-year restoration that Joe and I oversaw, that boat is back here now debuting at this show.”
Preserving History
Captain Greg emphasizes their commitment to historical accuracy, ensuring that the yacht is restored exactly as it was during President Kennedy’s era. He says,
“We made it back exactly the way that it was during President Kennedy’s administration. 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,”
While NFL legend Joe Namath concluded,
“Eisenhower was on it. Truman was on it to start with and of course, Kennedy and Nixon, and Johnson. She’s part of the country. Part of our history.”
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the Honey Fitz yacht?
Honey Fitz is a historic yacht renowned for its association with former president John F. Kennedy and its legacy in American presidential history.
2. Who Owned the Honey Fitz yacht?
The classic yacht restoration enthusiast Charles Modica is currently the proud owner of the iconic Honey Fitz Yacht.
3. Which president had the Honey Fitz yacht?
Honey Fitz served five consecutive U.S. presidents including Harry S. Truman, Dwight D. Eisenhower, John F. Kennedy, Lyndon B. Johnson, and Richard M. Nixon.