Former President George H.W. Bush evidently had a penchant for speed while navigating the waters off Maine, where he maintained a nearly 1,000-horsepower speedboat. Now, for the right price, another individual can enjoy its exhilaration.
The vessel is scheduled to be auctioned off on Thursday as part of the 2024 Presidential Salute auction in Houston, according to Hutton Higgins, a spokesperson for the George & Barbara Bush Foundation.
The proceeds from the sale of the 38-foot (11.5-meter) speedboat named “Fidelity V” will be directed towards expanding offerings at the George H.W. Bush Presidential Library & Museum and The Bush School of Government & Public Service at Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas.
Bush acquired the Fountain 38CC, a 2011-model, after both he and his son, former President George W. Bush, had completed their terms in office.
Adorned with a presidential seal, the watercraft features three Mercury outboard engines capable of propelling it to a speed of 75 mph (120 kph). The boat was utilized in the North Atlantic waters near Kennebunkport, the site of the Texas family’s summer retreat along the Maine coast.
This marks the fifth speedboat belonging to George H.W. Bush to carry the name Fidelity. The first is exhibited at the Bush Library and Museum, while the fourth is still in operation in Kennebunkport, as per Higgins.
