Restoration of 34m classic yacht Maemere well underway

Work is well underway on the 34.1-metre classic Trumpy yacht Maemere, which arrived for a comprehensive restoration at McMillen Yachts in 2022 after narrowly avoiding a scheduled demolition in California. 

The vessel is in the process of being rebuilt from the keel up, with Newport-based studio Langan Design selected to lead the project. The interiors were recently removed, with works to replank the bow now beginning.

"[The rebuild] really accelerated last year. The most recent time I saw her, she had been manipulated to get as close as possible to her original lines," partner at Langan Design, Thomas Degrémont, told BOAT International. "The new owner is keen on keeping some of the original features, too, like the cast iron tubs and mouldings."

However, he added that it would "tough" to confirm a redelivery date. "The attitude of the yard is 'it will be ready when its ready – and will get done right'," he said.

Degrémont also explained that much of Maemere's original wood had suffered from iron rot, which meant the yacht had to receive a new keel, floors, frames, planking, decking and a new steel structure. The original hardware will be reused when possible, as will the original steel bulkheads, which have been strengthened.

In July 2022, the yacht was transported to begin works at McMillen Yachts' facilities in Rhode Island. The vessel, which was operating as a harbour cruise ship under the name High Spirits, was saved by the president of McMillen Yachts, Earl McMillen III. McMillen was able to introduce a new party that was interested in salvaging the vessel and was integral in arranging the transfer of the boat from California to Rhode Island.

Earl McMillen III and the team were heavily involved in the transport of the vessel to the McMillen facilities in Portsmouth.

"We had to repair the holes and replace the planking that had been removed so that we could re-float her," McMillen explained. "She remained at a local San Diego marina until a ship was available to bring her to the east coast.” Due to local laws, the vessel had to be towed on her own bottom to Mexico where she was then loaded onto a ship bound for Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

"Coincidently, she was offloaded in the river just offshore from where she was originally built in Camden, New Jersey, 93 years ago in 1929," he added.

The vessel was due to be scrapped just days before McMillen heard of her fate. "I received a call from a yacht broker on Tuesday asking whether I was aware that [the vessel]  was scheduled to be cut up on Friday," he said.

"I contacted the owners and asked for more time. The boat yard was only willing to give us one more week," he continued. "We were able to send a team out from Newport and bring a barge in to take the boat away by the following Saturday."

Originally launched in 1929, the boat was designed by John Trumpy and built by Mathis Yacht Building Company.

Maemere has a rich history behind her, with onboard relics including a Joe Selby painting and a cigar humidor that was once owned by one of the boat’s former crew. She also features silver julep cups which were gifted by the granddaughter of the original owner, DeWitt Page.

Once the restoration is complete, Maemere will be operated as a private yacht.

Langan Design is also involved with a build at Rockport Marine, known as Project Ouzel: a custom, 29-metre sailing yacht commissioned by experienced sailors and previous owners of a 20-metre Baltic Yachts build.