Vessel Name Juniata (Launched as Marlin V)

Year Built 1927

Builder Consolidated Shipbuilding Corp.

Type 35-foot Commuter Cruiser

The Roaring Twenties & The Gilded Age Commuters

In the height of the Roaring Twenties, the waters surrounding New York City served as the express highway for America’s industrial titans. Wealthy financiers, corporate barons, and 'merchant princes' who owned vast waterfront estates along Long Island Sound rejected the crowded, slow-moving trains and gridlocked city roads. Instead, they commissioned high-speed express commuter cruisers—vessels built with the pencil-sharp lines of a naval destroyer and the breathtaking interiors of a luxury parlor. In 1927, one such person stepped into the legendary Morris Heights shipyard of the Consolidated Shipbuilding Corporation in New York to commission Hull No. 2889. Launched into the Harlem River, this magnificent 35-foot 'Playboat' series cruiser was born into an era of unparalleled luxury and swift maritime transit.

The Heroic Era of Karen Stimpson (Owner from 1979-2026 & renamed Juniata)

As the decades rolled on, many classic 1920s commuter yachts faced tragic demises, falling victim to neglect, dry rot, or military conversions during World War II. Fortunately, the vessel now known as Juniata evaded wartime conscription and preserved her authentic layout. Her true golden age of preservation began in 1979, when she was acquired by a visionary custodian named Karen Stimpson. Seeking a unique coastal lifestyle, Karen made the bold decision to move aboard Juniata full-time, establishing the classic mahogany cruiser as her floating home in Portland, Maine. For the next forty-seven years—spanning from 1979 until September of 2026—Karen lived aboard and meticulously preserved the craft. Under her dedicated hands, Juniata underwent a legendary interior restoration, capturing prestigious 'Finest Interior' awards at regional classic boat shows. Most miraculously, Karen and Juniata stubbornly weathered the historic and devastating 'Perfect Storm' (the Halloween Nor'easter of 1991) while tied to the Maine coast. This legendary survival stood as an enduring testament to the bulletproof craftsmanship of Consolidated's original 1927 master shipwrights.

Current Command — Captain Joe Connolly & Swansboro

Following her historic forty-seven-year residency in the waters of New England, Juniata began the newest chapter of her journey by traveling south to Swansboro, North Carolina. Today, this living maritime time capsule rests under the command of Captain Joe Connolly, a seasoned mariner holding a prestigious USCG 100-ton Master's License alongside a Merchant Marine Able Bodied Seafarer designation. Captain Joe brings a fascinating double pedigree to the helm: beyond his years of flawless maritime experience, he spent over three decades working in the Hollywood entertainment industry, Prop Mastering major feature films, television shows, commercials, and iconic 1990s music videos. Now, instead of working on set with actors and directors, Capt. Joe directs a premium, boutique charter experience for up to six passengers. Cruising through the local estuaries and beneath the Emerald Isle Bridge, passengers step directly into a living museum. Surrounded by the same gleaming, award-winning mahogany finishes that welcomed William T. Grant a century ago, guests enjoy custom Prohibition-era mocktails (BYOB welcomed), local artisanal charcuterie, and the mesmerizing rhythms of the coastal waterways, keeping the timeless romance of 1927 beautifully alive.