‘Honey Fitz’ Hosted 5 U.S. Presidents—and Now It’s Up for Charter
You can now cruise the seas like a genuine POTUS.
Legendary presidential yacht Honey Fitz has just been listed for charter with the Pelican Club in Jupiter, Florida. Managed and owned by Lessing’s Hospitality Group, the waterfront venue has created several packages that allow guests to enjoy the prestigious 93-footer dockside or within the Jupiter Inlet.
Originally built by Defoe Boat & Motor Works in Bay City, Michigan, the historic ship was delivered to Montgomery Ward tycoon Sewell Avery in 1931. Lenore, as she was first called, later took on the role of “presidential yacht.” She was used by five former U.S. leaders, including Harry S. Truman, Dwight D. Eisenhower, Lyndon B. Johnson, Richard M. Nixon, and John F. Kennedy.
John F. Kennedy and his friends and family aboard “Honey Fitz.”
White House Photographs/John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, Boston
The yacht’s name was changed four times, but JFK coined the enduring Honey Fitz. The moniker was reportedly inspired by his maternal grandfather John Francis Fitzgerald. Kennedy frequently went cruising on Honey Fitz with his family. Former First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis even redesigned the interiors in the early 1960s.
In 1971, the U.S. government sold Honey Fitz to a private owner. The vessel then fell into various states of repair and disrepair, until entrepreneur Charles R. Modica stubbled across it in 2020. He and his team decided to stop the nearly century-old cruiser from completely deteriorating and returned it to its former glory via an extensive, three-year restoration. Historical functioning parts from the 1930s, World War II, and the presidential eras from 1945 to 1971 can still be seen throughout the ship.
The salon.
Carmel Brantley
Honey Fitz offers the glitz and glamor befitting a world leader, too. The yacht, which can comfortably accommodate up to 35 guests, features a spacious main salon, a fully equipped galley, a plush stateroom, and a glorious sundeck. It is also outfitted with a state-of-the-art navigation system and the latest safety equipment.
The elegant wooden vessel is particularly suited to weddings, private parties, and corporate events, but nothing’s stopping you from taking it for a spin as a pretend president. Charter cruises depart from the Pelican Club.
The Pelican Club is now accepting bookings on the Honey Fitz for events beginning in October. For more information on charter packages and pricing, visit the Honey Fitz website.
Click here to see all the photos of Honey Fitz.
Carmel Brantley
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