John F Kennedy's racing boat, Flash II, is to lead an auction of political memorabilia.
The lot will cross the block at Heritage Auctions in Dallas on May 18, with an opening bid of $100,000.
 John F Kennedy was a talented sailor |
It was raced extensively by JFK and his elder brother Joe from 1934 onwards. In 2004, it was seized from its former owner (boat restorer Ole Anderson - who is responsible for the boat's exceptional renovation) after he was convicted of trafficking marijuana.
Mark Prendergast of Heritage Auctions commented: "The Kennedy brothers made quite a name for themselves in the Nantucket Sound Fleet racing circuit with this boat in the late 1930s.
"It's well-documented that JFK loved to race this boat. It's not hard to picture the young future president at the command, exhorting his crew toward victory. JFK obviously loved to compete and, prior to World War II, this was his favorite boat to race.
"All the skills JFK gained from those years on Flash II served him well later as he guided the ship of state through some perilous times.
"This an extraordinary and unique opportunity, really. It's a piece of American royalty and it's ready to set sail again."
Earlier this year a sailing boat used by the Kennedy children in Greece during the 1960s sold for $13,750 at RR Auction.
We have an incredible selection of JFK memorabilia available.
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