With the wealthy comfortably settled on Long Island's Gold Coast in the mid 1920s, the harbors were a showcase of luxury yachts. William K. Vanderbilt ll or better known as "Willie K" had moored many yachts in Northport Harbor. Although he travelled the world collecting marine life and artifacts, his first love was racing cars on land.
Another local historic figure, Otto Hermann Kahn also had an incredible yacht which he could see from his hilltop home overlooking Cold Spring Harbor. Kahn's amazing yacht was named the "Oheka ll". With a top speed of 34 knots, it was the Rolls Royce of motor yachts. Built by the German boatyard Luerssen in 1927 exclusively for Mr. Kahn, the Oheka ll was the fastest boat in its class during that time. The design and seaworthiness was later used as the basis for the first "Schnellboot" by the German Navy in WWll.
Although rumors persist that there was "rum running" associated with Otto Kahn's yacht, there is no basis for the rumor. The sleek craft was primarily used to transport Kahn's guests from New York City to Oheka Castle to attend the extravagant parties Otto Kahn was well known for hosting. The yacht was at Kahn's disposal for commuting to Wall Street during the summers, where he was one of the nation's most prominent financial figures.
