Billy Joels Original Commuter Yacht Has Been Transformed Into an Oceangoing Marauder

In the words of rock n roll legend Billy Joel: Home can be the Pennsylvania Turnpike, Indianas early morning dew, high up in the hills of California, home is just another word for you. While Joel wrote Youre My Home more than 30 years before he built the 57-foot Vendetta, the lyrics still ring true for his one-of-a-kind commuter yacht. Newly reimagined by the current owners following a two-year refit, the classic super commuter is now ready for some California dreaming.

Built in 2005 by Derecktor Shipyards, the custom Vendetta was conceived by Joel for a very specific purpose: as transport from his Long Island coastal home to his preferred destinations on Long Island Sound, all the way down to New York City. Joels secondary goal: Vendetta needed to be faster and have a longer range than any other Long Island Sound commuter boatever.

What were trying to do with this thing is basically combine a PT boats speed and durability, with the look and feel of a 30s-era commuter, with a low profile like a rum runner, Joel said at the time of the build.

To design this very special yacht, Joel commissioned Doug Zurn, the same naval architect who had previously designed the singers successful Shelter Island 38a luxury cruiser that hit a top end of 50 knots, with a cool-looking torpedo back end.

Fast forward to 2016 and two boat-owning businessmen from California stumbled upon Joels classic beauty on the East Coast. Immediately falling in love with the design, performance and quality of build, ....