In the News

And what would boating be without passion?
Empty and expensive soulless floats. But this boat doesn’t just have a soul: it has a history. It began with the birth of this brand, the Wheeler Yacht Company, in Brooklyn, NY, in 1910, and became legend when Ernest Hemingway relied on them to have his only boat built: the legendary Pilar.

At the end of July, more than a century after its founding, the return to the roots: sea trials of the new flagship began.
Built at the Brooklin Boat Yard in Maine, Wheeler 55 is a 16.5-meter, all-wood boat, in keeping with tradition. History is literally in the DNA of this boat since, as the yard itself claims, this design is a faithful reverse-engineering of one of Wheeler’s greatest successes, the 1931 Playmate.

Wheeler 55

Laminated Douglas fir frame, mahogany plywood planking, teak decks and Sapelli mahogany superstructures, bringing the displacement to 27 tons, look like specifications from a bygone era.
In reality, tradition meets state-of-the-art nautical technology:  gyro stabilizer, intruder, joystick maneuvering with bow and stern thruster.
A pair of 1000-hp MANs in the shaftline takes the boat to 25 knots of cruising, with a range of 300 miles on 3300 l of fuel.

The timeless design is an ode to majesty.
The juxtaposition of the flatting-painted red mahogany of the superstructures and the white of the hull streamlines the lines.
The same contrast is echoed in the interior partitions: the lower part in mahogany and the upper part painted white.
Combined with the clever use of light, the effect is an airy ambience, a result not taken for granted when wood and glossy paint are used in abundance.
Finally, with nearly two entire living decks, there is no shortage of space on board, making this Wheeler 55 comfortable and cozy for long stays.

Interior for Living Aboard

Timeless style, modern comfort: aboard the Wheeler 55 we find Seakeeper, Zipwake, Garmin electronics, Victron power management, center stereo, Starlink WiFi to stay connected at all times, central air conditioning, watermaker, two galleys, bow and stern propellers connected to throttle and joystick controls, washer/dryer, wine cooler and ice maker.

And who knows, perhaps it is not just a coincidence that the first example of this new model was christened Syntax – syntax – a distinctive element of Hemingway’s writing, just as the lines of this boat are distinctive not only of a shipyard, but of a true style of experiencing the sea.

If you are an owner who is nostalgic for the elegance and classic look of the 1930s and 1940s, but wants an ultra-luxurious interior, a smooth ride, and a high-performance boat, this hull is for you.  Click here to contact the site.

Original Article on Barche a Motore

The Wheeler Yacht Company of Chapel Hill, North Carolina, will launch a new adventure cruiser in partnership with Brooklin Boat Yard of Brooklin, Maine—the Wheeler 55.

Founded in 1910 by Howard E. Wheeler Sr., the yacht company constructed more than 800 vessels for both World Wars, and yet it is perhaps best known for its pleasure boats, including Pilar, the 38-footer built for writer and sportsman Ernest Hemingway. Because boaters continue to admire the look and craftsmanship of that 1930’s commuter-style yacht, the company designed this 55. The yacht has been on the drawing board and in the yard for a couple of years, but Wheeler says she will be ready to splash this summer.

At the Brooklin Boat Yard in Brooklin, Maine, Hull No. 1 of the Wheeler 55 receives her final coats of paint.

Marianne Wheeler

“There’s a small, niche market for this kind of design. It’s going to be a museum piece that actually runs like any of the high-performance boats you see out there today,” says Wes Wheeler, great-grandson of the company’s founder. Wes and his wife, Marianne, along with his siblings, are the owners of the company.

Measuring 55-feet, 5-inches in length overall, and with a beam of 16-feet, 9-inches, Hull No. 1 had just left the paint shop at Brooklin Boat Yard when Wheeler talked with Soundings. Built with African mahogany, Douglas fir and teak, the 55 is handcrafted with cold-molded construction techniques.

Designed as an adventure-cruiser, the 55 has three cabins, three heads with showers, a salon, a pilothouse, a promenade deck and a swim platform for diving, fishing or relaxing.

On the rooftop, the 1,000-pound-capacity crane can support an optional 12-foot tender. Galley appliances include a refrigerator, freezer, wine cooler, ice maker, cooktop, microwave and espresso station. A dishwasher and oven are optional upgrades. For extended cruising, there’s a washer and dryer unit, central air conditioning, and Starlink’s satellite Wi-Fi system, features Hemingway could have only dreamed about having aboard.

Standard power is a pair of 850-hp MAN engines with joystick controls; two 1,000-hp MANs are optional. The 55 is projected to cruise at 25 knots and hit 33 knots at top end. Other features include Garmin electronics, bowthruster, Seakeeper gyro stabilizer, and a Zipwake system to enhance the ride. The Wheeler 55 will be launched for its first sea trial in late July.

“I still have a lot of Howard Wheeler’s old drawings, even in his own pencil,” says Wes. “The family still believes in the Wheeler Yacht Company’s history and legacy. This is one way of maintaining that legacy for years to come.”

This article was originally published in the August 2024 issue of Soundings. 

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – Wheeler Yacht Company LLC is proud to unveil the latest addition to its esteemed fleet: the new Wheeler 55. This exquisite, cold-molded wooden vessel, meticulously handcrafted at the renowned Brooklin Boat Yard, merges classic elegance with cutting-edge technology to redefine luxury yachting.

The new Wheeler 55 is a timeless tribute to the golden age of yachting. Inspired by both the iconic 1931 Wheeler “Playmate” model and its contemporary, the 38’ Wheeler “Legend,” Wheeler’s yachts are steeped in maritime history. It was aboard his beloved 38’ named “Pilar” that Ernest Hemingway wrote “The Old Man and the Sea,” hunted for U-boats during World War II and revolutionized sport fishing. The Wheeler 55 combines the adventurous spirit of these earlier eras with today’s most sought-after, state-of-the-art features and unparalleled craftsmanship.

“Every detail of the Wheeler 55 has been exquisitely crafted using superior materials to create a one-of-a-kind yacht that stands out in any marina,” said Wes Wheeler, President, Wheeler Yacht Company. “It’s been a labor of love to bring the new Wheeler 55 to life, and we’re proud to offer a yacht with unmatched elegance, luxury and innovation.”

The Wheeler 55 is a handcrafted, cold-molded construction using all African mahogany, with Douglas fir structural elements and teak decks. Every detail reflects Wheeler’s commitment to quality and tradition.

Powered by 850 HP i6 MAN engines, with the option to upgrade to MAN V8-1000 engines, and twin straight shaft propellers, the yacht will cruise at 25 knots. Features like the synchronized joystick controls with bow and stern thrusters ensure easy docking, while the Seakeeper gyro stabilizer and Zipwake systems provide a smooth and stable ride. Sea trials of the first custom-built 55’ will take place on or around July 25 on the Eggemoggin Reach in Brooklin, Maine, with renowned photographer Billy Black capturing still photos and drone videos of its debut.

The yacht offers three luxurious sleeping cabins, three heads with showers, a spacious salon with a large sunroof and an expansive pilothouse. An aft promenade deck and a large swim platform with a transom door enhance relaxation and recreation. The vessel’s 1,000-pound-capacity rooftop crane and optional 12’ tender make it versatile for a wide range of activities.

The yacht’s two galleys come equipped with a refrigerator and freezer, a wine cooler, an ice maker, a cooktop, a microwave and an espresso station, with an optional oven and dishwasher. A washer/dryer unit ensures convenience on extended voyages.

For ultimate comfort, the yacht includes a seven-zone central air conditioning system and a central stereo system. Navigational aids include a Garmin chart plotter and navionics, while the Starlink satellite Wi-Fi system ensures connectivity anywhere. The yacht is backed up by a 21.5KW ONAN generator, guaranteeing reliable performance.

About Wheeler Yacht Company LLC

Wheeler Yacht Company LLC has a 55-year history, from 1910 to 1965, of building nearly 4,000 boats including 800 vessels for both World Wars and pleasure yachting, like Ernest Heminway’s “Pilar.”

The Wheeler Yacht Company is dedicated to producing handcrafted luxury yachts that combine timeless design with cutting-edge technology. Built at the prestigious Brooklin Boat Yard in Brooklin, Maine, our yachts are a testament to American craftsmanship and maritime heritage.

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For media inquiries, exclusive interview requests during sea trials or more information about the event, contact Wes Wheeler:
wes@wpwheeler.com
919-606-5575

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