A Priceless Piece of American Heritage Is Disguising as a Bargain

This summer, the boat leading the "Parade of Sail" before the Boothbay Yacht Club Shipyard Cup Classics Challenge was Wishing Star, a classic American beauty. Wishing Star is much more than a vintage yacht from the 1960s. It's only one of two 84-foot (25.6 meters) hulls built by Trumpy Yachts and the only one with the popular cruiser configuration, making it the only 84' Trumpy cruiser ever built.

This alone is enough to justify Wishing Star's uniqueness, yet there's more. Less than 100 Trumpy yachts still exist after the iconic shipyard ceased its activity in the early '70s. This makes Wishing Star one of the rare Trumpy pleasure craft still in operation and one of the few that are up for grabs. Don't think that this a beaten-down boat in desperate need of rescuing – on the contrary. The classic gem was well taken care of during the past ten years of exclusively private ownership and has emerged refreshed and up-to-date from a recent refit this year.

Back in the '60s, luxury yachting looked entirely different than what it is today. That was the era when Wishing Star and other Trumpy boats were some of the most luxurious options for wealthy and even famous owners. Today, the 1963 superstar seems way too small, modest, and plain, judging by contemporary standards. But it's enough to step on board in order to become fully immersed in the unique experience of cruising on a wooden yacht.

All the vessels delivered by this iconic builder sport the same instantly recognizable look defined by the white hull and contrasting dark wooden accents. Wishing Star was also lucky enough to undergo a complete rebuild in 1999. The process began in 1997 and was worth more than $2 million. That's when the classic vessel was brought up to date, but its most recent refit was completed this year.

Today, Wishing Star displays a fully rebuilt sub-structure and an aft cockpit deck with luxurious teak planking. The rebuilt cockpit is one of its most attractive features. It's big enough to seat up to eight guests comfortably, and it's equipped with a large, elegant table custom-made of teak, a fridge, and an ice maker. It's the perfect spot onboard for enjoying family cruising at a slow pace or for holding a cocktail party.

In terms of accommodation, the classic pleasure craft can welcome up to six guests overnight across three stylish cabins with vintage-inspired décor that exudes the nostalgic ambiance of a golden era. The guest cabins boast a twin-bed layout and a calming neutral color palette in muted shades with sophisticated bronze accents.

The owner's stateroom is perfectly modern and delightfully vintage at the same time. It comes with a full walk-around queen-sized bed and an en-suite bathroom. An elegant marble-topped desk is the vintage equivalent of today's private offices on board superyachts. The bed is also flanked by side tables with marble tops.

The main salon is exactly what you would expect onboard a classic yacht – mahogany wall paneling, massive furniture, and sumptuous lighting. Plush sofas and armchairs add a homely feeling, while generous windows on each side allow natural light to flow in and delight those inside with panoramic views.

This vintage gem even comes with a couple of sun pads on its bow. No, there's no jacuzzi or outdoor bar, but taking in the views and soaking up the sun is just as fun on a wooden yacht as it is on a contemporary superyacht. The full-beam galley is another coveted feature on a yacht this size. A small swim platform connects guests with the water – even onboard such a glamorous old yacht, folks can fish and enjoy watersports.

Yachts like the Wishing Star weren't meant for speed. The revamped Trumpy is powered by twin Detroit 12V Diesels (450 hp) and cruises at 13 knots (24 kph). It was also upgraded with two Northern Lights generators. Compared to larger vessels, Wishing Star has the ability to access smaller anchorages, mainly thanks to the 1.37-meter (4.5 feet) draft.

Around 400 yachts were built by Trumpy Yachts, and approximately 70 are still operating. The most famous Trumpy vessel is undoubtedly the USS Sequoia, which proudly served as the US Presidential yacht from the 1930s until 1977. This piece of American history is currently being restored. Yachting connoisseurs with a passion for all things vintage still prefer to cruise onboard a Trumpy instead of a contemporary motor yacht. One of them is Palm Beach real estate developer Todd Michael Glaser, who owns Sea Tabby, a rare 1939 Trumpy.

After a decade of discrete private ownership, Wishing Star is looking for a new owner. With a price tag of less than $800,000, this 1963 classic Trumpy that was also recently refitted is a real bargain. Hopefully, its future owner will continue to take good care of it and preserve this unique piece of American boating heritage for generations to come.