Former presidential yacht makes stop at Bald Head Island

BALD HEAD ISLAND, NC (WWAY) — It served as a patrol boat in World War II and later a presidential yacht. Now the Honey Fitz is making her way up the east coast on a good will tour.

The crew stopped briefly at Bald Head Island.

“It’s an iconic piece of history and a national treasure,” Honey Fitz event planner and executive chef Francis Pavlov said.

This historic 93-foot long yacht is now retired from its presidential duties and on a good will tour up the East Coast. The four-man crew’s voyage began May 4. They plan to work with charities that benefit veterans and children.

This journey is the Honey Fitz’s maiden voyage since restoration. It is making her way up to Massachusetts at the request of Ethel Kennedy, the widow of Robert F. Kennedy.

“She asked us if we could take it to the Kennedy compound in Hyannis to take anyone in the family who wants to come along,” Capt. Mark Glasser said.

The presidential yacht was made famous by John F. Kennedy in the 1960s, but it also served four other American presidents including Truman, Eisenhower, Johnson and Nixon

Although the boat has been called many different names, JFK’s Honey Fitz, a nickname shared by his grandfather, stuck.

After her goodwill tour, Honey Fitz will sail back to Florida, where she is available for charter and dinner cruises. Her next stop is Beautfort.