Spanning the decades and crossing party lines, it seems that boating has been a common Presidential hobby. Whether driven by a love for the ocean or a desire for privacy, former U.S. Presidents have been known to enjoy time onboard a presidential yacht. Let’s look inside some of the yachts formally used by presidents including John F. Kennedy, George W. Bush, Barack Obama, and Donald Trump.
Featured Image Credit: USS Sequoia Credit – Ron Cogswell
Presidential Yacht: USS Sequoia
- Builder: John H. Mathis & Company
- Designer: John Trumpy
- Length: 104.7ft (31.9m)
Originally launched in October 1925, USS Sequoia was first used in the Prohibition era to intercept moonshine smugglers. The vintage yacht was utilized as a presidential yacht by multiple presidents during their administrations, beginning with Herbert Hoover around 1931 and ending in 1977 when Jimmy Carter ordered the yacht to be sold.
Other presidents known to have used USS Sequoia are Franklin D. Roosevelt, Harry S. Truman, Dwight D. Eisenhower, John F. Kennedy, Lyndon B. Johnson, Richard Nixon, and Gerald Ford. The yacht was designated as a National Historic Landmark in 1988.
Watch the Aboard the USS Sequoia Presidential Yacht Video on YouTube.
Presidential Yacht: HONEY FITZ
- Builder/Designer: Defoe Boat & Motor Works
- Length: 93ft (28.4m)
Known to have hosted many presidents since her construction in 1931, HONEY FITZ was most notably used by John F. Kennedy during his tenure as president. The 35th U.S. president named the yacht after his grandfather, John Francis “Honey Fitz” Fitzgerald. First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy spearheaded a project to redesign the interior of the yacht in the early 1960s. HONEY FITZ was also used by presidents Dwight D. Eisenhower, Lyndon B. Johnson, Richard M. Nixon, and Harry S. Truman. The vessel was sold to a private owner in 1971.
HONEY FITZ underwent an extensive refit in 2020, with emphasis placed on preserving her historical characteristics. While much of the process focused on restoring features from the Kennedy Administration, the infamous yacht retained accents dating back to 1931. Once restoration was completed in 2023, HONEY FITZ was reintroduced to the yachting industry at the 2023 Palm Beach International Boat Show.
HONEY FITZ has recently been listed for charter with Lessing’s Hospitality Group. Previously unavailable for public tours, the legendary yacht will be based at the Pelican Club in Jupiter, Florida and can now be chartered for trips and dockside events.
Watch the Honey Fitz video on YouTube.
Interested in learning more about classic yachts? Read YATCO’s Classic Yacht Guide here.
Presidential Yacht: MANITOU
- Builder: M. M. Davis & Son
- Designer: Sparkman & Stephens
- Length: 62ft (18.9m)
Sailing yacht MANITOU was another boat frequently used by John F. Kennedy during his presidency. Built in 1937, the vessel was designed specifically as a racing yacht. After a successful tenure in the competitive sailing world, she was sold to the US Coast Guard in 1955 and was used as a training vessel.
Nicknamed “The Floating White House,” JFK conducted official business onboard, in addition to entertaining world leaders and Hollywood stars. Notably, the former president sailed in Maine in 1962 with guests including two senators, the Under Secretary of the Navy, and the Assistant Secretary of the Treasury.
Browse classic sailing yachts here.
Presidential Yacht: TRUMP PRINCESS
- Builder: Benetti
- Length: 282ft (85.9m)
- Exterior Designer: Jon Bannenberg
- Interior Designer: Luigi Sturchio
Built in 1980 for $100 million, this stunning motor yacht was commissioned by a Saudi Arabian billionaire and originally named NABILA. In 1988, Donald Trump purchased the yacht for approximately $28 million and renamed it TRUMP PRINCESS. While already ornate in design and decor, Trump spent upwards of $8 million refitting the yacht. The most notable change was a “T” marking the helipad in lieu of the standard “H.”
Facing financial trouble in 1991, Trump sold the vessel for $19 million to a Saudi businessman. Now bearing the name KINGDOM 5KR, the yacht made headlines in October 2024 after colliding with a quay in Tunisia. The cause of the crash is currently under investigation.
View Benetti yachts of a similar style here.
Browse Benetti yachts available for charter and Benetti yachts currently for sale.
Presidential Yacht: RISING SUN
- Builder: Lürssen
- Designer: Jon Bannenberg
- Length: 453ft (138m)
In 2017, Former President Barack Obama and wife, Michelle were seen onboard motor yacht RISING SUN off the island of Mo’orea. The pair were in the South Pacific while vacationing with Bruce Springsteen, Tom Hanks, and Oprah Winfrey. Built by Lürssen in 2004, the yacht is owned by media mogul David Geffen and is reportedly worth $590 million.
Watch the The $400,000,000 Superyacht RISING SUN video on YouTube.
View similar Lürssen yachts here.
Born and raised in Hawaii, Obama is no stranger to the water. He has been spotted in Hawaii and Martha’s Vineyard enjoyed time onboard a variety of motor yachts and pleasure boats.
Presidential Yacht: FIDELITY V
- Builder: Fountain Powerboats
- Length: 38ft (11.5m)
Former President George H.W. Bush and George W. Bush shared a love for outdoor activities with their families which included time spent on the water. Over the years, the Bush family owned several motorboats, all sharing the name “Fidelity.”
In February 2024, FIDELITY V was auctioned for $435,000 to an anonymous buyer during the George and Barbara Bush Foundation’s 2024 Presidential Salute. The vessel, a Fountain 38 Center Console, boasts the presidential seal on the side of its hull with a custom plaque at the helm. FIDELITY V has three outboard engines with a combined 900 horsepower and a top speed of 75 mph.
The Bush family still has a motorboat at their estate in Kennebunkport, Maine and an earlier Fidelity model is on display at the George H.W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum.
