A well-kept classic wooden boat always grabs my attention. Full disclosure: I’m partial to wooden sailing yachts’ sleek, graceful lines and impressive sailing performance. That said, I also enjoy viewing finely finished wooden motor yachts. While my favorite salty workboats have a decidedly quirky appeal, fine wooden motor yachts offer a real feast for the eyes. When I see one gliding along on the water, or it’s docked at a local marina, it literally stops me in my tracks.
Imagine my delight when I learned that Annapolis, Maryland was hosting a Trumpy Classic Yacht Rendezvous in June 1999. Multiple wooden motor yachts, each manufactured by John Trumpy and Sons in Annapolis’ Eastport section, were expected to cruise in for the several-day event. Because these fine wooden motor yachts aren’t getting any younger, my husband Mark and I made plans to see them.
The Trumpy Yachts story began back in Camden, New Jersey in 1909. John Trumpy Sr. joined the Mathis Yacht Building Company, later becoming the firm’s naval architect and vice president. Next, Trumpy’s two sons joined the business. In 1943, the company revised its name to John Trumpy and Sons, Inc.
Growing demand for the business’ fine wooden motor yachts led to a larger manufacturing facility in Gloucester City, New Jersey. Even so, the John Trumpy and Sons, Inc. boatyard was becoming increasingly cramped. That limiting factor, combined with the New Jersey site’s less-than-pristine waterways, spurred the company’s relocation to Annapolis in 1947.
When John Trumpy and Sons, Inc. set up shop at 222 Severn Avenue, it was the third boat construction facility to operate at that Eastport location. The first boatyard catered to watermen and commercial fishing businesses. The second boatbuilder was known for its luxury yacht construction. Following the United States’ entry into World War II, that business cranked out United States Navy subchasers and patrol boats.
After World War II ended, John Trumpy and Sons, Inc. maintained its lucrative Navy contracts during the Korean Conflict and Vietnam War. The company produced multiple U.S. Navy PT boats and minesweepers. After the military contracts wound down, the business resumed its luxury yacht production, building six vessels per year (448 contracts in total).
In the early 20th century, increasingly wealthy Americans were becoming interested in well-crafted motor yachts that blended speed and upscale accommodations. In response, John Trumpy Sr. began designing “fast commuter yachts” with a narrow beam (not very wide) and shallow draft (the boat could operate in relatively shallow water). Every Trumpy yacht’s bow displayed the company’s striking “T” scrollwork.
Trumpy yachts were built using the era’s latest construction methods. Each vessel featured steam-bent oak frames and double-planked mahogany hulls. The yachts were also outfitted with state-of-the-art power systems and electronics. Equally importantly, these stunning vessels were renowned for their fine craftsmanship.
The 104-ft. Trumpy yacht Sequoia II has the highest pedigree of any Trumpy vessel. Built in 1925, this magnificent yacht was chosen as the United States’ Presidential Yacht in 1933. This grand lady served as an Entertainment venue for Presidents Roosevelt through Carter. The Sequoia II welcomed multiple foreign leaders over the decades.
Facing economic challenges, President Jimmy Carter implemented an austerity program that included selling the Presidential Yacht. This exceptional vessel sold for under $300,000, a ridiculously small sum considering Sequoia II’s sterling reputation. Fortunately, The Presidential Yacht Trust purchased the neglected Sequoia II and treated her to a well-deserved restoration. Today, she turns heads as a National Historic Landmark.
Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end. In December 1973, the John Trumpy and Sons, Inc. boatyard closed its doors, falling victim to higher operating costs and labor strikes. The marketplace’s increasing preference for less-expensive fiberglass boat hulls was the final nail in the coffin.
Today, 222 Severn is home to waterfront offices and The Chart House, an upscale waterfront restaurant (and yes, I have been there). In keeping with the facility’s nautical history, the site also offers sought-after deepwater boat slips.
For anyone unfamiliar with Annapolis, Maryland, the city’s downtown has scant public parking. Most visitors park in Eastport and trek across the Spa Creek Bridge to the City Dock. Dozens of shops and restaurants are within easy walking distance.
Walking over the Spa Creek Bridge is an experience. While crossing the short span, we could see pricey marinas (and waterfront homes) along the creek. The prestigious Annapolis Yacht Club occupies a prime position on the bridge’s City Dock side. After passing the former Fawcett Boat Supplies building, you’ll arrive at the Annapolis City Dock. Ego Alley, the aptly named fairway popular with showoff powerboaters, is opposite City Dock’s shops and restaurants.
Today, Ego Alley’s limited dock space was occupied by several museum-quality wooden Trumpy motor yachts. An exceptionally skilled owner may have been able to maneuver their vessel to their assigned docking spot. However, the well-heeled Trumpy yacht owners likely had a professional captain and crew.
Each vessel sported a gleaming white hull, plumb bow, and impeccably varnished brightwork. With numerous windows, each elegant Trumpy motor yacht provided its owner and guests with excellent visibility. And from numerous accounts, the Trumpy yachts’ interiors compared to elegant upscale apartments on land.
I was simply in awe of these magnificent yachts. For nearly an hour, we cruised the City Dock, soaking up each Trumpy yacht’s distinctive aura. As budget-conscious boaters, we couldn’t imagine the deep pockets required to restore and maintain these grand old ladies. Given that, we are grateful that owners continue to step up to the challenge. Today, these Aging Trumpy motor yachts continue to hold their value very well.
In April 2019, The Annapolis Maritime Museum & Park hosted a temporary exhibit highlighting Trumpy Yachts’ extraordinary contributions to Annapolis’ maritime history. Sigrid Trumpy, John Trumpy Sr.’s granddaughter, worked with researchers and historians to create a curated exhibit of photographs, drawings, and memorabilia. Current and former Trumpy yacht owners also contributed to this labor of Love.
Caitlin Swaim, Annapolis Maritime Museum & Park’s curator, recognized Trumpy Yachts’ integral role in Eastport’s rich boatbuilding history. She noted that Trumpy is a significant part of the maritime and boat-building story in Annapolis, and that displaying this unique history just 2,000 feet from where it all happened makes the exhibit all the more relevant.
