Full Breakdown
Colin Jost and Pete Davidson’s Staten Island Ferry Purchase: Details, Reactions, and Future Plans
4/30/2026, 5:15:46 AM
The Purchase: A Decommissioned Ferry Becomes a Private Asset
In 2022 (some reports list 2023), SNL co-anchor Colin Jost and comedian Pete Davidson bought a decommissioned Staten Island ferry at auction for roughly $280,000–$280,100. The 277-foot vessel was acquired as a joint investment.
Personal Significance
Jost said the ferry held sentimental value because it was the boat he rode daily in his Staten Island childhood, framing the purchase as a waterfront “real-estate” opportunity.
Key Players
The deal involves Jost, Davidson, and Jost’s wife, Oscar-winning actress Scarlett Johansson, whose reaction was highlighted on the SmartLess podcast. Jost also mentioned his father, a Staten Island teacher, in anecdotes.
Vessel Specs
The ferry, identified in one source as the John F. Kennedy ferry, measures 277 feet, holds about 70,000 sq ft, and historically carried over 3,000 passengers daily. Reported prices range $280,000–$280,100.
Official Statements and Responses
On the SmartLess podcast, Jost said events on the ferry have already recouped the investment, countering claims it is a “money pit.” He described the vessel as a potential event space and a middle-class Manhattan swim club, emphasizing accessibility. Johansson’s one-word reply, “We?” indicated surprise at becoming a co-owner.
Criticism and Skepticism
Both Jost and Davidson have joked about losing money, with Davidson referencing “losing millions” on an SNL segment. Media outlets have called the venture a “money pit,” a label Jost rejected. Johansson has roasted the purchase on talk shows, underscoring skepticism.
Conflicting Reports and Gaps
Sources differ on the purchase year (2022 vs. 2023) and price ($280,000 vs. $280,100). The vessel’s name appears as the John F. Kennedy ferry in one article but simply as a decommissioned Staten Island ferry in others. Independent verification of its financial performance beyond Jost’s statements is absent.
Verbatim Quotes
- “We've done some events on it where we really have already made back the money we've invested and the money we've spent on stuff to dock it and all that,” — Colin Jost, SmartLess podcast
- “It’s very misreported that it is some sort of crazy money pit,” — Colin Jost, SmartLess podcast
- “If you put that on a dock in Manhattan, you’ve suddenly got basically a building on the waterfront,” — Colin Jost, SmartLess podcast
- “We?” — Scarlett Johansson, text to Colin Jost
- “'Guess what? We own a ferry now,'” — Colin Jost, text to Scarlett Johansson
Future Outlook
Jost envisions two uses: a rotating waterfront entertainment venue and a seasonal swim club that could travel to Miami in winter. He said development plans remain ongoing, with no definitive launch date disclosed.
