This is the new build for gentlemen with style and taste: the great commuter yacht, with an external appearance resembling the 1920s and 1930s, driven by modern technology inside.
It was the preferred boat of Wall Street giants, from Astor to Vanderbilt. Every morning they would use them to travel to work from their summer villas on Long Island to downtown Manhattan. Often, dramatic races would take place with these large, narrow yachts reaching 30 to 50 knots. Their silhouettes resemble torpedo boats, yet they transport their owners and passengers to their destination both quickly and in luxurious comfort. In addition to the daily commute, such express cruisers of course also offer excellent excursions, for example passing by the America's Cup regatta in Newport or going for a quick spin along the coast.
However, it was primarily the ambition of the powerful owner to win the daily "races" along the Long Island Sound that drove the development of these yachts so dramatically. In March 1926, the American yacht magazine "The Rudder" wrote: "Each year, the number of rich men who commute between their summer residences and offices is growing. Each morning, between half eight and half nine, it looks like a parade of fast cruisers is being held on the Hudson and East River; this scene then repeats itself later on in the afternoon. In order to satisfy demand, the designers continued to develop new yachts with sufficient protection for bad weather, with a reasonable pantry so that the owners could enjoy breakfast on board and, of course, accommodation for the crew. At least one sleeping cabin is required should the owner decide to embark on a short trip."
In the USA, the roaring twenties were without doubt also the golden years of these fast commuter yachts. This phenomenon even extended to Europe, albeit on a smaller scale. Some commuters were built in Germany, Sweden and England (by Camper & Nicholson). However, the stock market crash, global economic crisis and Second World War ended this era of fast and elegant yachts. The clearest sign of the demise of the commuters was in 1938 when the New York Yacht Club relinquished its legendary footbridge, the jetty for commuters on the East River. Only dedicated seafarers such as the Kennedy family boys remained true to their beloved boats after the war; the Kennedy clan used its "Marlin" commuter, built in 1930, until the late 1960s, albeit purely for fishing and leisure sailing.
In fact, the Kennedy's had also set a new trend without even realising it. The best thing about the story is that you don't always have to sail to the office. Commuters are the perfect cruisers for gentlemen who wish to travel about by water in style. This still holds true today. Classic yachts in the finest and best sense.
This is your opportunity to have us build your own commuter yacht. Classic lines and timeless elegance combined with modern comfort - a winning combination.
