Most amazing boat I've ever seen - M/V Aphrodite - 1937 Commuter Yacht - NGC

[Jim Rich]

Just found this video while surfing & looking at classic boats.

Link;

http://usharbors.com/video-gallery/aboard-classic-1937-commuter-yacht-aphrodite

[twhitaker]

That would be the life. 

What would that boat be worth? 2 mil?

[Lannis]

That's pretty good!   Looks like a great project for the man with that little something extra ....

I don't know about big boats - are those actual direct throttles that the captain is working with each hand, or is there someone in the engine room answering the "telegraph"?    Looks like it would take a crew of ... what ... 3? to work it?

Lannis

[fotoguzzi]

thanks 4 posting! that is awesome or I'm awestruck.

[rboe]

Oh wow. Just oh wow!

[clubman]

That's pretty good!   Looks like a great project for the man with that little something extra ....

I don't know about big boats - are those actual direct throttles that the captain is working with each hand, or is there someone in the engine room answering the "telegraph"?    Looks like it would take a crew of ... what ... 3? to work it?

Lannis

Modern Caterpillars (C18's ?) all fly by wire. Can even be made wireless remote.

[zedXmick]

Now that's the way to fly. 

[kidsmoke]

for a stinkpot, that's a fine vessel.

I can't quite call anything without a mast THE most amazing....but it's hard to take exception to that assessment.

Thanks for sharing.

[AJ Huff]

Wow she is gorgeous! 

-AJ

[boatdetective]

Welcome to my world. The crazy torpedo stern is obviously the signature feature of the hull.  They didn't show you what the bottom looks like underneath this stern. It has a wicked reverse curve that is hard to describe. Figuring out how to plank it and fair it was a feat in itself. The lead carpenter in the video, Brian Larkin, is a wonderful guy and very gifted. They've done some pretty extensive new builds and restos at Brooklin Boat Yard. There was a Trumpy that was done around the same time that would be very interesting to you folks if you saw her with all the planking removed.

[Bonafide Bob]

Beautiful boat.

[steven c]

 I got to see this boat a couple of years back at the Wooden Boat show in Mystic CT. Pure floating Art, just amazing.

[keuka4884]

Aphrodite is one of the most beautiful classic boats in existence. There is another boat as beautiful as Aphrodite. Her name is Thunderbird. A John Hacker design. She cruises Lake Tahoe. If you are ever in the area and want to take a trip and a half, visit Sierra Boat Works on Lake Tahoe. Perhaps the best marina and boat restoration shop for old wood boats in the US. They let you walk all through the place. We had a 1956 Chris Craft 21ft Capri for many years.
Thunderbird is one of a kind.

http://www.yachtingmagazine.com/thunderbird-legend-lives

[Peter from Sch'dy]

Nice boat. Anyone know what the original engines were? Aircraft derivative perhaps?

best,
Peter

[cruzziguzzi]

That baby's trim! Watching it shift across that glass-topped water was sweet.

Idles at 10 knots? 1,000 HP! Fun.

The riveted copper nails was a revelation to me, very interesting, that.

Thanks for the link.

Todd.

[rocker59]

Interesting that nothing on that boat is original.  It's a newly constructed facsimile of the original...

Damn, that had to be expensive!

http://brooklinboatyard.com/aphrodite/

 

[rocker59]

Aphrodite is available in a more convenient size, for those of us on a budget:

[Lannis]

Interesting that nothing on that boat is original.  It's a newly constructed facsimile of the original...

Damn, that had to be expensive!

http://brooklinboatyard.com/aphrodite/

It has to be something more than a "facsimile" if every single part was taken off a bit at a time and fixed or remade, then replaced in the same spot.

A facsimile, you could build that even if the original wasn't there or was burned up.   But this is something a little different - isn't it?

Lannis

[rocker59]

It has to be something more than a "facsimile" if every single part was taken off a bit at a time and fixed or remade, then replaced in the same spot.

A facsimile, you could build that even if the original wasn't there or was burned up.   But this is something a little different - isn't it?

Lannis

Call it what you want, but it's not the original boat.  It's all new construction.  From stem to stern:

"APHRODITE’S REBIRTH
 The “Aphrodite” was a complete restoration using the original boat as a template from which to create what would become the reborn “Aphrodite”.

The first stage of this project was to extensively catalog all aspects of the boat for later reference. Once this historical documentation was completed, forms were placed into the boat to retain her hull shape. Next the job of disassembly began in earnest with the removal of the deck, superstructure, bulkheads, all interior accommodations and ship’s systems leaving only the hull in place.

Reconstruction began with the replacement of the original backbone, stem, floors and the reframing of the intricate curves of “Aphrodite’s” signature torpedo stern. Next on the list was the removal of the original hull planking and the fastening of temporary ribbands to the original frames. After all planking was removed, new white oak frames were fabricated and steam bent into position and the original frames were removed.

On September 2, 2004 the final original frame (last wood of the original boat) was removed marking the transition from old to new."



Sort of like your grandfather's axe out in the woodshed that's had it's head replaced twice and is on its third handle.

I'm not knocking this boat.  It's totally badass, and the kind of thing I'd like to have, were I a gazillionaire.  Beautiful vintage style and workmanship built from new materials, utilizing modern electrics and mechanicals.

[cruzziguzzi]

Call it what you want, but it's not the original boat.  It's all new construction.  From stem to stern:

"APHRODITE�S REBIRTH
 The �Aphrodite� was a complete restoration using the original boat as a template from which to create what would become the reborn �Aphrodite�.

The first stage of this project was to extensively catalog all aspects of the boat for later reference. Once this historical documentation was completed, forms were placed into the boat to retain her hull shape. Next the job of disassembly began in earnest with the removal of the deck, superstructure, bulkheads, all interior accommodations and ship�s systems leaving only the hull in place.

Reconstruction began with the replacement of the original backbone, stem, floors and the reframing of the intricate curves of �Aphrodite�s� signature torpedo stern. Next on the list was the removal of the original hull planking and the fastening of temporary ribbands to the original frames. After all planking was removed, new white oak frames were fabricated and steam bent into position and the original frames were removed.

On September 2, 2004 the final original frame (last wood of the original boat) was removed marking the transition from old to new."



Sort of like your grandfather's axe out in the woodshed that's had it's head replaced twice and is on its third handle.

I'm not knocking this boat.  It's totally badass, and the kind of thing I'd like to have, were I a gazillionaire.  Beautiful vintage style and workmanship built from new materials, utilizing modern electrics and mechanicals.

Brings to mind a couple-three of the de havilland Mosquito "restorations", static and flying.

Todd.

[twhitaker]

I think I might revise my initial 2 mil estimate a bit upwards.

[Steph]

Just found this video while surfing & looking at classic boats.

Link;

http://usharbors.com/video-gallery/aboard-classic-1937-commuter-yacht-aphrodite

Awesome post!   
 

[Lannis]

Call it what you want, but it's not the original boat.  It's all new construction.  From stem to stern:

Well, without intending to just be argumentative, you could say that about almost any "ground-up" restoration.

I'll bet they made sure to keep the original "hull number" .... 

Lannis

[boatdetective]

Technically, it is considered a restoration. I know the argument, I get it. I probably even agree with it. However, there are rules about this resto stuff and the big one is: there has to be an uninterrupted chain of the object being what it is. If you replace it piece by piece until the whole thing is new- it's still the same object. If, however, you destroy it and then build an identical object where it stood- then that is a replica.  An example in the boat world is that there's a well known restoration guy who built some brand new mahogany runabouts. They looked and were built pretty much identical to a large pre war, triple cockpit runabout. He put engines in them that were  war surplus from British Comet tanks. He took the valve covers off and replaced them with ones that had the Packard logo. However, he worked really hard to not call these boats "replicas" He invented some BS jargon- but it ultimately was all intended to deceive. The point here is that this approach demeans the blood sweat and tears of those folks who have genuine boats that eventually go through the full spa treatment to "restored" status.

[Lannis]

Technically, it is considered a restoration. I know the argument, I get it. I probably even agree with it. However, there are rules about this resto stuff and the big one is: there has to be an uninterrupted chain of the object being what it is. If you replace it piece by piece until the whole thing is new- it's still the same object. If, however, you destroy it and then build an identical object where it stood- then that is a replica.  An example in the boat world is that there's a well known restoration guy who built some brand new mahogany runabouts. They looked and were built pretty much identical to a large pre war, triple cockpit runabout. He put engines in them that were  war surplus from British Comet tanks. He took the valve covers off and replaced them with ones that had the Packard logo. However, he worked really hard to not call these boats "replicas" He invented some BS jargon- but it ultimately was all intended to deceive. The point here is that this approach demeans the blood sweat and tears of those folks who have genuine boats that eventually go through the full spa treatment to "restored" status.

Now THAT's what I was trying to say, although I didn't have the tools or wit with which to say it ....

Lannis

[Steph]

Technically, it is considered a restoration. I know the argument, I get it. I probably even agree with it. However, there are rules about this resto stuff and the big one is: there has to be an uninterrupted chain of the object being what it is. If you replace it piece by piece until the whole thing is new- it's still the same object. If, however, you destroy it and then build an identical object where it stood- then that is a replica.  An example in the boat world is that there's a well known restoration guy who built some brand new mahogany runabouts. They looked and were built pretty much identical to a large pre war, triple cockpit runabout. He put engines in them that were  war surplus from British Comet tanks. He took the valve covers off and replaced them with ones that had the Packard logo. However, he worked really hard to not call these boats "replicas" He invented some BS jargon- but it ultimately was all intended to deceive. The point here is that this approach demeans the blood sweat and tears of those folks who have genuine boats that eventually go through the full spa treatment to "restored" status.

Now I get it!
It's like calling a CX100 a Lemans right?


edit: tgif

[keuka4884]

I think the original engines were Allison. Huge things.

Garfield Wood (Gar Wood), the inventor of the dump mechanism, raced runabouts in the 20's and 30's for the Harmsworth trophy. He built 2 racing boats that were 30+ft runabouts with most all of the decking removed. Then he stuffed FOUR humongous Packard engines in them. He could do 110mph on the Detroit river. The four Packard engines were supercharged by Wood. The boat put out 7,600hp. The British challenger had 4,000 hp. Wood won every time from every challenger. It's a great story.

I've seen restorations where they started with a hulk. The brightwork and ID plate were the only things salvaged. People pay BIG bucks to "restore" a hulk back to "new".

[akcapwild]

Charles Royce is a bit of a hero.  Along with the Aphrodite, he also purchased Ocean House (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ocean_House,_Rhode_Island) in Watch Hill Rhode Island, and working with architects from Boston was able to reconstruct the hotel (rather than restore) into a functionally and economically feasible facility.

[drums4money]

Technically, it is considered a restoration. I know the argument, I get it. I probably even agree with it. However, there are rules about this resto stuff and the big one is: there has to be an uninterrupted chain of the object being what it is. If you replace it piece by piece until the whole thing is new- it's still the same object. . . .

Isn't that how Boyd Coddington became askew of the law with some hot rod weirdness?

Gorgeous boat.

[johnr]

Impressive and beautiful. I especially noted the small wake and lack of wave making. (It lacks sails though)  I am a little surprised that people found the copper rivets unusual.