-
Guests
2
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Crew
4
| Length | GT | Built (REFIT) |
|---|---|---|
|
93' 2"
|
94 GT | 1931 (2023) |
| Beam | Draft | Top Speed |
| 16' 1" | 5' 7" | 11 Kts |
The Classic Presidential yacht Honey Fitz was delivered by Defoe Shipbuilding Co. in 1931 under the name Lenore II for Sewell Avery. At 28.4m (93ft), her naval architecture and exterior design comes from the drawing boards of Defoe Shipbuilding Co.
Key Features
- Authentic Kennedy-era restoration
- World War II veteran yacht
- Five U.S. Presidents served
- Original mahogany craftsmanship
Design & Construction
Designed around a wood / steel hull and a wood superstructure she features a 16'1" beam and a 5'7" draft. The yacht has an internal volume of 94 GT (Gross Tonnes).
Exterior Design
Honey Fitz is one of the finest surviving American commuter yachts, a style developed during the early twentieth century for wealthy owners who wanted to travel quickly and comfortably between coastal homes, private clubs and city waterfronts. Built by Defoe Boat & Motor Works in Michigan in 1931, her long, slender hull, low freeboard and restrained superstructure reflect an era when elegance came from proportion rather than size. Every line serves a purpose. The fine entry reduces resistance through the water, while the low profile cuts windage and gives the yacht the poised, balanced stance that defined America's great commuter yachts.
Today, Honey Fitz appears much as she did during John F. Kennedy's presidency. Her white hull, varnished mahogany deckhouses, polished brightwork and traditional timber caprails recreate the appearance seen in countless photographs from the early 1960s. The broad upper deck remains an inviting outdoor living space, sheltered by a canvas awning rather than a permanent hardtop, while the compact wheelhouse sits low within the profile instead of dominating it. Even details such as the Presidential Yacht crest on the funnel have been carefully reinstated, returning the yacht to one of the best-known periods in her history.
The restoration itself sets Honey Fitz apart from many historic yachts. Rather than modernising her appearance, the owners worked from White House archives, presidential photographs and surviving drawings to return the yacht as closely as possible to her Kennedy-era condition. Wherever original fittings could be saved they were restored instead of replaced, while new components were reproduced only when necessary. Modern navigation, communications and safety systems have been integrated with restraint, allowing Honey Fitz to remain a practical cruising yacht without losing the character that made her one of America's most recognisable presidential vessels.
Interior Design
Honey Fitz was restored to capture the atmosphere of the Kennedy years rather than reinterpret it, creating rooms that feel authentic instead of theatrical. Polished mahogany joinery, painted bulkheads and large timber-framed windows define the living spaces, while natural light pours into the saloon through the generous glazing typical of American commuter yachts.
Historical research shaped almost every detail. Jackie Kennedy's surviving furniture sketches were used to recreate several original pieces, period light fittings were sourced or rebuilt, and much of the yacht's original hardware was carefully restored and re-chromed rather than discarded. Even a Navy rotary telephone was reinstated, while the wheelhouse still centres on its traditional wooden helm. Modern electronics have been introduced quietly, with contemporary navigation equipment concealed wherever possible to preserve the yacht's period appearance.
The result is an interior that feels lived in rather than curated. Unlike many classic yachts that have adopted contemporary styling during successive refits, Honey Fitz retains the warmth and modest scale expected of a private family yacht from the mid-twentieth century. The spaces reflect the way presidents and their families actually used the yacht, favouring comfortable seating, practical layouts and uninterrupted views over formal grandeur.
Accommodation
Honey Fitz accommodates up to 12 guests in six cabins, although her layout reflects a very different style of yachting from today's superyachts. Designed for presidential cruises, official entertaining and weekend trips rather than months at sea, the emphasis falls as much on the generous public rooms and outdoor decks as on the guest accommodation itself.
The cabins retain their traditional proportions and period character, with polished mahogany furniture, built-in cabinetry and opening portlights that provide natural light and ventilation. During the restoration, the accommodation was refreshed with the same careful attention applied throughout the yacht, preserving the original atmosphere while discreetly incorporating modern systems expected for contemporary cruising.
That balance between authenticity and usability defines Honey Fitz today. Guests experience many of the same cabins, saloons and decks enjoyed by Presidents Truman, Eisenhower, Kennedy, Johnson and Nixon.
She is also capable of carrying up to 4 crew onboard to ensure a relaxed luxury yacht experience.
Performance & Capabilities
Powered by 4 x diesel Cummins (QSM 11) 455hp engines, motor yacht Honey Fitz is capable of reaching a top speed of 11 knots, and comfortably cruises at 10 knots.
Honey Fitz Yacht is not For Sale
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