Jack Kennedy once wrote. “Star boats were exceedingly tricky to sail because of their tall masts and narrow hulls”
Joseph P. and John F. Kennedy were avid Star Class sailors during the pre- war years of the 1930s. As members of the now inactive Nantucket Sound Fleet, the Kennedy’s brothers were competitive and competent racers, winning numerous regattas, including the Nantucket Sound Star Class Championship Cup which John won in 1936.
Younger brother Robert, a member of the Moriches Bay Fleet, was first listed In 1953 as the owner of Star # 1931, “KING’S RANSOM.” Robert participated in numerous regattas held on the Great South Bay / Moriches Bay region.
The International Star Class Yacht was designed in 1911 by Francis Sweisguth, the Star is the oldest Olympic class, having first been used in competition in 1932. Supported by a worldwide association the Star as a class is one of the best organized in sailing, with over 7,500 yachts built over its 80 year history, and 2000-plus actively racing today.
Star Specifications: LOA 22.7′ / 6.9M | Beam: 5.7′ / 1.7m | Draft: 3.3′ / 1.0m | Weight: 1,479 lbs / 671kg
FLASH (1932-1936) – Built for Joseph P. and John F. Kennedy.
Year Built: 1932 | Sail Number: *902 | Known Race History: | Current Location: Unknown
FLASH II: (1934-1944) – Was purchased from original owner H.B. Atkin, of Manhasset Bay Yacht Club, in 1934 by Joseph P. and John F Kennedy, sold in 1944, after Joseph was killed during WW II, to to a sailor from Maine.
Year Built: 1930 | Sail Number: *721 | Hull Number: Unknown
Known Race History:
1936 – Won the Nantucket Sound Star Class Championship Cup
1936 – Won Atlantic Coast Championships
1938 – MacMillan Cup Annapolis, Maryland
Current Location: *Kemah, TX | Restored: 1997 | Seized: 2004 – U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency
KING’S RANSOM: (1953 – ?) – KING’S RANSOM sail number 1931 – Robert Kennedy was first listed as the owner in 1953
* The Kennedy Library notes that “FLASH II” is boat No. 902 and built in 1930
* Kemah, TX – Heritage Auctions prepares to sell Flash II, see the Heritage Auction website for further details.