News & Insights 23 February 2024

SONNY, the man, the boat, the legacy.

The late Bert Phelps from New England followed in his father’s footsteps with his passion for sailing, owning multiple yachts through his 90 years on the water.

He first became aware of AMIkids in 1976 when he donated Sonny, his Whitby sailboat to what we callen Jacksonville Marine Institure, then our current AMIkids location at Beach Boulevard in Jacksonville, Florida.

Bert’s Whitby 45 Sailboat, a 13.7 m monohull sailboat designed by Cuthbertson & Cassian Ltd. (later C&C Yachts) and built by Whitby Boat Works, Ltd between 1968 and 1970. Bert won the Larchmont Yacht Club’s 15th annual race with this SONNY.

Several yachts and forty years later, while having his custom 91’ Brooklin Boatworks completed, it was an easy transition for his current 2015 70’ Brooklin to go to AMIkids once launched. The latest Sonny was equipped with a wheelchair access from the aft cockpit to his stateroom.

70’ 2014 Brooklin Boat Yard
The yacht donation of custom 70’ 2014 Brooklin Boat Yard to AMIkids was facilitated by yacht broker Hank Halsted at Northrop & Johnson.

Mr. Phelps’s health finally forced him to give up his passion for sailing when he turned 98, and in 2021, Bert’s custom 91’ Brooklin was again donated to AMIkids.

91' 2018 Custom Brooklin Boat Yard SONNY
Sonny III, 94- foot design by Bruce Johnson and built by Brooklin Boat Yard, sailing in Newport RI.

For me, it was essential to utilize an organization with an impeccable track record where donation proceeds directly reach a worthwhile mission—that’s why we continue to choose AMIkids.

Steve Warren,
President and General Counsel
Albert D. Phelps, Inc.

Get involved

We accept yacht donations, refit, and then lease or sell them. Our donors benefit from a safe and convenient alternative to selling or trading their yachts and obtain a reasonable tax benefit. Our lessees benefit from competitively priced and recently improved inventory with interest-free lease terms.

All proceeds help empower young lives to discover their true potential.