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!