| Our Sponsors Robert Iannucci and Sonia Ewers |
PT 728 is a genuine WWII 77’ Motor Torpedo boat restored to full military configuration, complete with machine guns and torpedoes. It is maintained and operated by Fleet Obsolete. Its patron is Rob Iannucci, a retired New York attorney, former Sea Scout and Waterfront Revivalist. He is passionate about historic boats, historic racing motorcycles, and historic cars. The fleet also includes: • PT 459: 80’ Higgins with documented D-Day combat history off Cherbourg. It is ready for a major restoration in Kingston, New York. It will be re-powered with the original Packard supercharged V-12 motors • PT 48: 77’ Elco. Recently rescued from a Florida trailer camp, this vessel saw heavy action in the Pacific theater. It is credited with sinking an enemy destroyer, an enemy cruiser, and several motorized barges. It is the sole known surviving 77’ Elco. It needs a total restoration. • PT 615: 80’ Elco. Hull restored. Cabins now being rebuilt. Last known operationally sound 80’ Elco. • A 1955 Army ST Tugboat powered by a 600 bhp Atlas Imperial diesel. Excellent condition. • A 1957 Chris Craft lap strake Sea Skiff powered by a 350 Chevy. Excellent condition. During his professional career Rob served as an Assistant District Attorney in Brooklyn, NY as well as a Probation Officer in New York and New Jersey. He was also a Peace Corps Volunteer serving in Jamaica and Barbados, where he organized commercial fisherman’s cooperatives. His wife, Sonia Ewers, is a native Jamaican whose family were fishermen and boat builders. She is a graduate of Columbia University and serves as CFO and artistic coordinator of their companies. Rob is the founder of Team Obsolete, the world’s most successful historic motorcycle racing team. From 1978 through 2002, the team competed in more than 1800 races worldwide from Japan to Norway. Their chief rider, Dave Roper, is the only American ever to win the Isle of Man TT. Their riders have included multi-time FIM World Champions Giacomo Agostini, Jim Redman, MBE, Phil Read, Luigi Taveri, Kel Carruthers, Gianfranco Bonera, and American Champions Dick Mann, Gary Nixon, Yvon Duhamel, Kenny Roberts, Don Emde, Don Vesco, Dave Aldana, and others. The Team Obsolete stable of historically important motorcycles includes ex-works MV Agusta’s, a 1965 Honda RC165 250/6, an AJS E95 Porcupine, AJS Triple-Knockers, the world’s premier collection of AJS 7Rs and Matchless G-50 raceware, and other exotica, including many FIM and AMA Championship machines. Rob is currently involved in reviving the Historic Rondout Harbour in Kingston, NY. |
| PT-728 is Maintained And Operated By Fleetobsolete.org |
