Unusual Cygnus II attracts lots of attention
An old boating expression reads, “If you ain’t been aground, you ain’t been around.”
Maybe it should be changed to “If you ain’t been cruising the Intra Coastal Waterway and New Jersey waters, you ain’t seen Cygnus II.”
Frequently moving between Florida, the Chesapeake, up to the Great Lakes and back for years, many boaters have seen this unusual motorboat and wondered about it.
The name comes from a constellation in the northern sky, recognizable in summer and fall. It is the Latin word for “swan.”
Turning heads
Cygnus II is a custom 1930 William Krumholz design, and Jacobson and Peterson built classic 56’ Flattop motor yacht. She is similar to both Elcos and Trumpys in design, but unusual enough to attract attention wherever she goes. Curious historic boat aficionados quietly walk docks at yacht clubs and marinas to have a look at this pristine, whitehulled motorboat.
Along the Intra Coastal Waterway, boaters slow down to get a better look.
“What is she?” people ask at the former Morrison’s Marina in Beach Haven (now Queen City Marina). Congenial owners, who have not even finished tying up Cygnus II for a few days’ visit with friends, enthusiastically talk about their historic vessel. Usually they invite people aboard (after taking off their shoes), showing off impeccable cabins.
Along the ICW north of Atlantic City, where Jet Skis, clammers and fishermen outnumber historic boats by the thousands, catcalls and whistles are common. “Yo dude, that is one cool boat. Haven’t seen anything like it.”
Their frequent stays at the Bay Head Yacht Club draw lookers from the Metedeconk River, top of the Bay and the Manasquan Canal.
With a beam of 13’ 6” and draft of between 3 6” and 4’, Cygnus II has 170 HP Yanmar main engines; but the owners have tried to maintain her classic equipment in working order.
The boat has had numerous upgrades.
She was voted People’s Choice at the 33rd Annual Antique and Classic Boat Festival at the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum in St. Michaels, Maryland.
This unusual, historic vessel has been featured in yachting magazines.
With a captive audience at Historic Boat Shows, visitors are invited aboard to see all the details. It is safe to say that instant and long-lasting friendships are made among boaters of all types.
Specifications
A full beam master stateroom with double berth to port and a single berth to starboard is in the stern, with an ensuite head complete with bath and shower.
A full chest of drawers, full length mirror, port lights and reading lights add to the ultimate comfort.
A guest stateroom is forward, with a V berth and ensuite head with separate shower. It also has ports light in addition to an overhead hatch for air flow and utility. Two cabins sleep four people easily.
There is a salon, galley, pilothouse and aft deck, along with original audio/ visual equipment, electronics and electrical system.
There is an original Jacobson and Peterson tender along with safety and fire protection. (The owners’ previous historic yacht was destroyed in a marina fire on a North Carolina river during winter maintenance one year, so they are overly safety-conscious.)
An L-shaped settee and folding mahogany dining are in the main salon, with an owner’s private liquor cabinet. After all, in 1930 during Prohibition, what yacht builder didn’t build a liquor cabinet for his wealthy owners?
Cabinetry lines the way to the pilothouse. Windows with screens and curtains add to the allure. There is also a food storage cabinet and a hanging locker. The restored original cabinets are stunning, a sight old boat lovers appreciate that cannot be replaced by modern day fiberglass.
Equipment
The aft deck is comfortable and private with a hardtop, tender storage, canvas/Eisenglass curtains on both sides, a bench seat facing aft, three wicker chairs with tables and a folding teak table.
Not much of the deck equipment has changed since the 1930s. There are nonskid walkways on each side. Wooden boarding steps and gates adorn both port and starboard. Mahogany toe rail, cap rail, along with painted steel stanchions and a lifeline, outline the fir and mahogany aft deck.
The owners of Cygnus II today live with modern comforts that do not take away from the historic look. There are three anchors for safety, and full cabin heat and air conditioning. The water heater and batteries have been upgraded. A depth sounder, magnetic compass, radar, fish finder and auto pilot have been installed for pleasure.
New Jersey owners
Both Jody Reynolds and Mike Wright were raised throughout New Jersey from Perth Amboy, Point Pleasant and Manasquan to Toms River and Forked River.
Their parents had them sail in Sunfish and Duck boats at Toms River when they were young. Mike’s work shifted as a young man to running powerboats, working for any marina where he could learn from the best.
His family owned the old Houseboat Restaurant on Forked River across from the Captain’s Inn. Mike was taught to make 40 quarts of chowder at a time with 200 ground clams.
Jody laughs that he was so indoctrinated into the family restaurant’s way of making chowder that he could never break down the recipe for just two of them on a cold night. As they cruise north and south each year, much time is spent in Point Pleasant and Manasquan visiting family and old friends.
After restoring and selling historic boats for many years, age is catching up with them and they feel they might be more comfortable on shore.
Most of continual cruising is relaxing and fun, but the anchors are getting harder to pull up and even the steps from dock to luxury vessel is an effort. Walking to get food from the local grocery store takes more effort than it did just a few years ago.
Consequently, Cygnus II is for sale. For more information, contact Jody and Mike at 609-276-081 or jodyreynolds2@gmail.com.
Or call the New Jersey Maritime Museum, and we will put you in Jody and Mike’s capable hands.
Cygnus II is a one-of-a-kind luxury boat, comfortable, easy to maneuver, and perfect for dual ownership or a small family of five. You could be the next lucky owners.