According to Forbes, Mr Edson, who served during the Korean War, purchased the brand name Bayliner for $100 and started a company to build affordable plywood motorboats. He sold Bayliner to The Brunswick Corporation in 1986 for $425 million and spent some years cruising the world on Evviva.
Tauranga Bridge Marina manager Tony Arnold said the crew on board were sworn to secrecy as to who was on board.
"They had got some people on board who are enjoying the boat. I don't know who they are but the captain is an American chap and they will be in and out of the marina dropping people off and picking people up."