A British YouTuber is taking over Frank Sinatra’s old motor yacht. The ‘Nostalgia 10’ lay abandoned in England for more than twelve years; now Billy Petherick wants to restore the 23-metre classic to working order. However, it is still not entirely clear just how much of Sinatra actually remains in the boat.
“The Pethericks” is one of the best-known renovation channels on YouTube. The channel is run by Billy Petherick, a British man who documents his renovation adventures with his family. He became particularly well-known for the restoration of a château in France, which was followed by hundreds of thousands of subscribers.
Now he is moving from land to water, and with a decidedly ambitious refit project: a 23-metre motor yacht built in 1956, which lay abandoned on Wallasea Island in England for over twelve years and whose history is linked to one of the most famous names in American show business. Petherick has taken over the yacht and intends to restore it. In this interview, he explains what led him to this project, what is still holding the hull together, and why he has no intention of ever selling the ‘Nostalgia 10’.
Tell me, Mr Petherick … how did you come by Sinatra’s boat?
We wanted to restore a true classic. The fact that this motor yacht is ultimately linked to a legend like Frank Sinatra wasn’t a priority at all during our search. The previous owner had intended to restore it and turn it into a museum. Then, it seems, the mooring fees were no longer paid. As a result, the boat became a burden for the marina, and we were presented with the opportunity to take it on.
Why this ship in particular?
Good question. I didn’t really have anything to do with boats. When I decided to buy one, I was looking for a classic boat, something like the wooden boats from the early 20th century. In the end, though, I opted for a steel hull because it’s much easier to repair. In the end, I was simply captivated by the design and that timeless look.
What is the overall condition of the ‘Nostalgia 10’?
Well, the structure isn’t too bad. It’s just that the teak at the bow has rotted and needs replacing. The deeper you dig, the more you find, of course. It’s harder to assess the cramped engine compartment, which has a few areas of corrosion. But the actual structure, the steel framework and most of the timber are in good condition.
What work needs to be done now?
At the moment, the main priority is to make the boat as watertight as possible, as it’s going to be sitting here for quite some time. We’ve got a lot of sanding, painting and replacing to do, particularly with the interior fittings. I want to keep the original interior as intact as possible. After that, we’ll have a look at the entire steelwork, sort out the electrics and try to get the engines running. But for now, the priority is to preserve what we’ve got.
Just how much of Sinatra is there really in that boat?
The boat has changed hands many times. However, it is not entirely clear to what extent Sinatra actually used it. It was built in 1956 for the businessman Dick McCormick. After passing through the hands of several other owners, it eventually ended up in Florida. In the mid-1960s, Frank Sinatra did indeed use the boat, as he was friends with the owner at the time and enjoyed spending time at sea during that period.
Should the boat be restored to its original condition?
We want to restore it as faithfully as possible to its original condition, but preserve its patina – I don’t want it to look brand new. However, if we have to, we’ll also replace parts, such as in the rotten galley.
How much longer will the restoration work take?
At the moment, I’m reckoning on about two years. If we can get through this year’s workload, she’ll be ready to hit the water as early as next year. But there’s still a lot of work to be done on the interior. Once she’s ready for test runs and the interior looks presentable, that’s when the best bit comes. So we’re looking at one and a half to two years, but it might take longer – I’m not sure.
What are the plans for afterwards?
It’s hard to say, but I won’t be selling her. Perhaps I’ll take her back to her old home at St Katharine Docks in London. I just want to enjoy her. She isn’t that big, after all, and probably not suited to the open sea. But for now, that’s still a lovely dream.
You can visit his YouTube channel here.
David Ingelfinger
Volontär