Monkey Business (yacht)

Monkey Business is an American yacht built for the use of the Turnberry Isle Resort Marina in southern Florida. It is best known for its role in scuttling the campaign of Gary Hart for President of the United States.

History

An 83-foot (25 m) Broward motor yacht, Monkey Business hosted famous guests included Elton John, Elizabeth Taylor, Jack Nicholson, Julio Iglesias, Jason Luetke and others.[1] Custom built for the Turnberry Isle Resort, the yacht's hull was made from aluminum; its cabins had rosewood paneling and amenities included a hot tub and full bar.[1]

Gary Hart incident

Owned at the time by Donald Soffer,[2] the yacht was chartered by former US senator Gary Hart in March 1987 for a trip to Bimini, prior to announcing his campaign for President of the United States in 1988.[3][4] Donna Rice, who had previously been seen in association with Hart at his Washington townhouse,[5] accompanied Hart and others on a cruise aboard the yacht, deepening the scandal.[1]

Later career

In 1988, the yacht was seized by USCGC Cape Shoalwater after a safety inspection off Bimini found marijuana aboard; a total of 9 grams of the drug were found.[2] In 1990 the yacht was put up for sale for $1.5 million; the owner stated that the Hart scandal had affected business enough to make operation of the vessel unprofitable.[6] In 2004 the yacht was still docked at the Turnberry Yacht Club.[3]

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Charter Yacht Has Carried Lots of Celebrities AM-Hart, Bjt". Associated Press. May 7, 1987. Retrieved 2015-12-05.
  2. 1 2 "Marijuana Is Found On Yacht Hart Once Used". Philadelphia Inquirer. Philadelphia, PA. May 15, 1988. Retrieved 2015-12-05.
  3. 1 2 Pohlen, Jerome (2004). Oddball Florida: A Guide to Some Really Strange Places. Chicago: Chicago Review Press. p. 255. Retrieved 2015-12-05.
  4. ↑ Cramer, Richard Ben (1992). What It Takes. New York: Random House. pp. 436–437. ISBN 0-394-56260-7.
  5. ↑ Cramer, Richard Ben (1992). What It Takes. New York: Random House. p. 452. ISBN 0-394-56260-7.
  6. ↑ "Monkey Business yacht goes up for sale". Ocala Star-Banner. Ocala, FL. January 2, 1990. p. 2B. Retrieved 2015-12-05.
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