Presidential yachts: Inside the superyachts owned by world leaders

BOAT discovers the stories behind the yachts owned by US Presidents, world leaders and heads of state, including one of the largest superyachts built to date.

USS Potomac

One of two US Presidential yachts that still survives to this day and the only one open to the public, USS Potomac was used by Franklin D. Roosevelt as his floating base from 1936-1945. Famous guests who FDR hosted aboard this 50 metre former US Coast Guard vessel included royals at sea King George VI of the United Kingdom and Crown Princess Märtha of Norway.

In the 80's she was briefly owned by Rock and Roll icon Elvis Presley, and in the 21st century, her escapades included being a set for the film actors Joaquin Phoenix, Philip Seymour Hoffman and Amy Adams. She now lies along the coast of Oakland, California, having been preserved as a National Historic Landmark. She is open for dockside tours and regularly cruises through San Francisco Bay.

Image courtesy of Rick Pisio RWP Photography/Alamy Stock Photo

Read more

Sponsored listings