John Wayne's Love For Boats And The Sea

John Wayne, the 20th-century Hollywood icon, performed in more than 150 movies, including the 1969 film True Grit, which earned him an Oscar for Best Actor. His first love was the United States Navy, but when he did not receive an appointment to the Naval Academy, he continued his film career. His passion for the maritime world led him to purchase a converted World War II minesweeper, the Wild Goose, in 1962. The 136-foot-long yacht served as a favourite getaway vessel for Wayne to spend time with his children and friends. Mexico and Canada were two favoured nautical destinations, and he also transited the Atlantic aboard the Wild Goose not long after purchasing the vessel.

John Wayne's yacht, the Wild Goose, was a converted US Navy minesweeper

John Wayne, the famous Hollywood actor, owned a yacht called the Wild Goose. The Wild Goose was a converted US Navy minesweeper that Wayne purchased in 1962 or 1965 for $116,000. The 136-foot ship was built in 1942 and served in World War II as the USS YMS-328, a US Navy Yard Mine Sweeper. After the war, the ship was decommissioned in 1946 and sold privately in 1948 before changing hands a few times and eventually ending up with Wayne.

Wayne undertook a significant and expensive renovation of the Wild Goose, adding five staterooms and redesigning the interior to make it more spacious and accommodate his tall stature. The yacht featured a saloon that could accommodate up to 127 people, a fireplace, a poker table, a wet bar, luxurious wood detailing, murals, a dancing area, and a bridal suite.

The Wild Goose was an important part of Wayne's life and served as a "central hub" for his social life and family time. He often hosted movie stars, musicians, athletes, and politicians on board, including Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr., Ronald Reagan, and Richard Nixon. The yacht was also featured in two films during Wayne's ownership: "The President's Analyst" (1967) and "Skidoo" (1968).

Wayne sold the Wild Goose shortly before his death in 1979 to get his affairs in order. The yacht changed hands a few more times and underwent additional renovations before finding its current home with Hornblower Cruises in Newport Beach, California. It has been used for dinner cruises and events and was listed on the US National Register of Historic Places in 2011.

He bought it in 1962 or 1965

John Wayne, the famous Hollywood actor known for his roles in classic films such as True Grit and El Dorado, had a passion for the water that began early in his life. This passion led him to purchase his beloved yacht, the Wild Goose, in 1962 or 1965.

The Wild Goose was a 136-foot US Navy Minesweeper that was converted into a yacht. Wayne bought the ship from millionaire Max Wyman, who had purchased it from Vancouver Tug & Barge owner Harold Jones in 1948. Wayne renamed the ship Wild Goose and underwent a significant renovation to make it more spacious and comfortable for his family and friends. The interior bulkheads were removed, the ceilings were raised to suit his tall stature, and he added five staterooms, a saloon that could accommodate up to 127 people, a fireplace, a poker table, and a wet bar.

Wayne purchased the Wild Goose to replace his smaller boat, the Norwester, as his growing family and circle of friends needed more space. He often used the yacht to entertain guests, including celebrities such as Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr., Ronald Reagan, and Richard Nixon. He also used it as a getaway from the public eye and to spend quality time with his family, cruising to destinations like Mexico, Canada, and Alaska.

The Wild Goose holds many memories for Wayne's family and friends, who recall adventures on Catalina Island, water sports, fishing, and card games on board. It served as a central hub for Wayne's social life and a source of happiness during the last 17 years of his life.

He sailed up and down the West Coast, from Canada to Mexico

John Wayne, the legendary Hollywood actor, was known for his love of the sea. His yacht, the Wild Goose, was a source of great joy and relaxation for him. He often sailed up and down the West Coast, covering a vast distance from Canada to Mexico.

The Wild Goose was not just a boat to Wayne, but a home away from home. He purchased the 136-foot vessel in 1962, and it became a central hub for his social life and family gatherings. The yacht had previously served as a US Navy Minesweeper during World War II, but Wayne renovated it extensively to suit his needs. He added five staterooms, raised the ceilings to accommodate his tall frame, and designed the interior to be more spacious.

Wayne's voyages on the Wild Goose were filled with fun and adventure. He often hosted movie stars, musicians, athletes, and politicians, including Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Ronald Reagan, and Richard Nixon. His children recall water sports, fishing trips, and diving excursions during their time on board. They would jet ski, dive off the boat, and create lasting memories with their father.

One of the most memorable aspects of Wayne's sailing adventures was the sense of freedom and escape it provided. As a famous actor, he often dealt with the hassle of Hollywood and the public's prying eyes. However, when he was on the Wild Goose, he could truly relax and enjoy quality time with his loved ones. He even conducted business meetings and worked on his unfinished biography during his voyages.

Wayne's sailing trips up and down the West Coast left a lasting impact on him and his family. They cherished the memories of exploring new places, socialising with friends, and simply enjoying the beauty of the sea. The Wild Goose became an integral part of Wayne's life, providing him with happiness and a sense of peace away from the glare of the limelight.

The yacht was featured in two films

John Wayne's yacht, the Wild Goose, was featured in two films. The first was The President's Analyst in 1967, in which it doubled as a Canadian spy ship. The second was Skidoo in 1968, where it was the yacht, named Mother, of a reclusive mob boss named "God" played by Groucho Marx. The yacht was used extensively in Skidoo, with scenes shot from the exterior and in the wheelhouse, cabins, engine room, upper and lower decks.

The Wild Goose was originally a U.S. Navy Yard Mine Sweeper known as the USS YMS-328. Built in 1942, the 136-foot ship served in World War II and sailed in the Aleutian Islands in Alaska and surrounding areas. After the war, the ship was decommissioned in 1946 and sold privately in 1948. It went through several owners before being purchased by John Wayne in 1962. He renamed the ship Wild Goose and underwent a significant renovation to make it more spacious and comfortable for his family and friends.

Wayne added five staterooms, raised the ceilings to accommodate his tall stature, and designed a spacious saloon that could accommodate up to 127 people and featured a fireplace, a poker table, and a wet bar. The yacht also included luxurious wood detailing, murals, a dancing area, and a bridal suite. He used the yacht to entertain celebrities such as Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr., Ronald Reagan, and Richard Nixon, and to spend time with his family and create lasting memories.

After Wayne's death in 1979, the Wild Goose changed hands several times before finding a home with Hornblower Cruises in Newport Beach, California. It has since been used for dinner cruises and private events, and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2011.

It is now owned by Hornblower Cruises and Events in Newport Beach, California

John Wayne's yacht, the Wild Goose, is now owned by Hornblower Cruises and Events in Newport Beach, California. The company bought the boat in 1996 or 1997 and has since used it for weddings, dinner cruises, tours, and private events.

Hornblower has tried to maintain the boat's historic integrity, preserving remnants of John Wayne's presence while also adding modern touches. For example, the fireplace room features a naval battle mural commissioned by Wayne, as well as framed movie posters of his films—a detail that former skipper Bert Minshall notes was not part of the boat's original decor. Minshall, who wrote a book about his experiences with Wayne aboard the Wild Goose, returns to the ship from time to time to mingle with visitors and share stories.

The Wild Goose has undergone several changes since it was owned by John Wayne. The most noticeable of these are an upper deck and a room on the main deck. Hornblower has also converted one of the bunk rooms into a liquor room and changed the colour of the bed in the master state room. Despite these changes, the yacht still features many original elements, such as the brass wheel in the bridge, the original engines, and the poker table used by John Wayne and his guests.

The Wild Goose was listed on the US National Register of Historic Places on 19 July 2011. It is docked at Hornblower Cruises and Events in Newport Harbor, where visitors can walk right up and take a look.

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