Motor Yacht "Dolphin" – A 65-foot Fast Commuter Yacht
It is hard to imagine that a 65-foot yacht has been owned by the same family since 1929. Motor Yacht (MY) Dolphin is such a vessel. Since being built in 1929 by the Consolidated Shipbuilding Co. in Morris Heights, NY, this vessel has been owned, operated, cruised, and restored by one family. At this year’s Antique Boat Museum (ABM) show in Clayton, NY, Dolphin was displayed by Sandrine Simard, her husband, and their two children. Sandrine and her uncle currently own the yacht.
Sandrine’s great-grandfather was the original owner. The fast commuter was originally ordered by a gentleman from New York so that he could commute from Long Island to Manhattan. When the stock market crashed that year, this customer withdrew from the project, and Sandrine’s great-grandfather took ownership of the Consolidated 65 fast commuter. She was named the Dolphin and carries that same name to this day. The designer was Perdue.
Dolphin is only one of four surviving Consolidated Commuter yachts. She has a twin ship named Mohican, which was recently restored and required 24,000 man-hours to complete. When she was built, Dolphin was powered by twin 200 horsepower Speedway gasoline engines that propelled her at 22 miles per hour – which was very fast for a yacht of this size. During this era, many commuter yachts were built so that Wall Street bankers could make the trip from Long Island to Manhattan. Many of these yachts flew the New York Yacht Club burgee, and impromptu races between these fast commuters were said to be quite common.
Dolphin has a beam of only 12 feet 6 inches, so the yacht is very narrow by modern standards. Of course, the narrow beam allows Dolphin to cut through the water with ease. At the conclusion of the ABM show parade, I followed Dolphin downriver and was amazed at how effortlessly she cruised the St. Lawrence. There was hardly any wake as she made 10 to 11 knots downriver. Her top speed is given as 15 knots. The yacht draws 3 feet 8 inches and displaces 19 tons.
Now, Dolphin is powered by two Cummins turbo diesels, each of which produce 220 horsepower. The vessel has been equipped with a bow thruster for easier docking. The hull is double-planked cedar on oak keel and frames. The cabin is built of mahogany. Her varnish is unblemished and takes about two months of refreshing each year.
I toured the yacht with Sandrine, her husband Simon, son Nicolas, and daughter Emilie. The interior takes you back to the ‘Great Gatsby’ era with wonderful spaces to relax, entertain, sleep, and cruise. The salon has a framed portrait of Dolphin flanked by antique sconces. There is a locker for crystal, liquor, and wine. The compact galley is all stainless steel but efficient. The yacht has a nice forward cockpit with windshield and seating for three or four. All the way aft is a covered cockpit with a varnished oval table and comfy armchairs. As Clayton was unusually hot and humid during the ABM show, I found it interesting that air conditioning has not been added to the lovely yacht. But who cares?
The raised wheelhouse is quite small for a yacht of this size. It was designed with just the captain in mind, and not intended for the owner and guests to sit and relax. It gives a good view both forward and aft. Modern electronics have been added for navigation.
The Simard family has cruised Dolphin extensively in Canadian and American waters. She has visited Long Island, New York City, the Finger Lakes, Lake Champlain, Georgian Bay, and many other ports of call in Quebec and Ontario. Dolphin has a captain and mate on board for navigation and maintenance.
In 1978-79, the yacht underwent a two-year refit at St. Lawrence Restoration in Clayton, NY. The late Don Price headed up this extensive refit of Dolphin. The yacht’s home port is Montreal, QC, and during winters she is stored in a covered shed near Montreal. The Dolphin has been granted a rare honour, which is the right to fly the Blue Ensign (as it was from 1922 until 1957), in recognition of the owners’ war efforts during WW II.
On behalf of the residents of the Thousand Islands, ABM members and fans, and our many tourists on the River, I wish to thank Sandrine, Simon, Nicolas, and Emilie for sharing their wonderful marine treasure with us. The family was very gracious by inviting show attendees to tour their special vessel. You would never guess that this stunning yacht is from 1929. Wherever Dolphin cruises, she is a real head turner! Dolphin, elle est magnifique!
During the ABM 50th annual 2024 boat show, Dolphin took home several awards. Dolphin won The Best of Show – Preserved Power. The yacht also won the Best Preserved Commuter award. The Jim Lewis Memorial Award for the Most Unique Vessel also went to Dolphin and Sandrine Simard. Congratulations to the Simard family for taking home these honors.
By Rick A. Casali
Rick Casali is a resident of Wellesley Island. During his youth, from 1947 to 1976, his parents had a cottage on Grindstone Island named The Orchards. Rick now splits his time between Stuart, FL and the River. He worked for Columbia Gas System for 29 years and ran their Washington, DC office. Then in 2000, he started brokering boats and yachts, and continues as a broker with North Point Yacht Sales. Rick and his wife Anne cruise the River in a recently purchased a 1968 Chris Craft 31 Commander which they named "Foxtrot". They also have the Seaway 24 named "Miss Annie".
Be sure to see more of Rick Casali's tributes and reviews. He has now written 21 articles for TI Life, and they are not only interesting but also provides an important historical review of River life. Be sure to have a look!