Yacht Owned by President Ford, Charlton Heston Will Be Restored

The 83′ Feadship motoryacht Notorious is seen docked at Riverwalk Marina in Decatur. Her owner plans to restore the boat with a list of famous former owners.

The 83′ yacht, built in Holland in the early 1950’s, was previously owned by movie star Charlton Heston, former President Gerald Ford and even an alleged Chicago mob boss is docked in Decatur.

The yacht’s owner, Stuart Snyder, said he plans to restore the 1953 Feadship motor yacht Notorious— among the most luxurious vessels in the world — to its prior glory. He brought the yacht to Decatur last weekend from Lake Guntersville, but he has been searching for a marina in the area that can accommodate its size.

“It has so much history,” Snyder said. “I’d like to stay around the area and hire some local help to work on it. I think there are opportunities to fix it up and maybe take it out on a black-tie cruise for a charity benefit here.”

Notorious, christened in 1953 as Serano II, is currently anchored at the end of Riverwalk Marina Dock B.

“It’s meant to be out in the ocean, not in the river,” Riverwalk Marina owner Steve Conner said. “There’s just not enough space for it. But it’s amazing, though, to have a boat like that here in Decatur.”

Riverwalk Marina boat mechanic Rodney Jennings hopes Snyder will keep Notorious in Decatur. He said he and two other men have helped with minor cleanup and improvements this week.

“I’ve never seen anything like it,” Jennings said. “There’s a dining room table that’s pure marble. Pictures of Charlton Heston on the boat are hung up inside it. There’s even a secret passage in it for maids.

“But I think you could build the Empire State Building faster yourself than it’s going to take to get it (restored). (Snyder) seems bound and determined to do it, though.”

A string of people have walked down Dock B to get a look at the yacht this week.

“You know, they say Charlton Heston lived on it while filming ‘Planet of the Apes,’ ” Jennings said.