The Restoration of Aphrodite – Epilogue

Back in September, I blogged about the restoration of a truly beautiful motor yacht ,Aphrodite.  Aphrodite is a 74′ Long Island motor commuter yacht originally built in
1937 to ferry the industrialist, Jock Whitney from his home in
Manhasset to Wall Street.

She was restored in 2003 by the Broolkin Boatyard in Maine. Her skipper and guy in charge of the restoration, Captain Kirk Reynolds had this to say:

It
is great to see such interest in the “Old Black Lady”.
As captain and the restoration project manager for the owner, I can
truely say she is a most remarkable yacht. Aphrodite has undergone
several periods of neglect, a couple of referburishes, 2 restorations
and finally a rebuild.
A credit the original builders to have made her strong and used the
finest of availible materials of the day. Thanks to the Purdy brothers
and to a man with vision, Jock Whitney, who in 1936 had a dream and
desire to go faster than his brother- in-law, and to another man with
vision, Chuck Royce who understands the need to preserve history and
undertook this salvage project.
Special thanks to all of the Brooklin Boat Yard crew for a spectatular
job.
Aphrodite was a complete “rebuild”. Though completely dissassembled she
was always unmistakeably Aphrodite during the rebuild, with that
sumptuous stern and clipper bow.
True, all off her wood was replaced,(she does still carry a few wooden
pieces) her hardware was restored and replaced and most of all her soul
remained. Aphrodite lives on.
Captain Kirk Reynolds

Thanks. It’s great to hear from a real Captain Kirk!