Delta Marine Breathes New Life to 38m Vintage Pusey Yacht Acania with Full-Scale Renovation

Acania, a 38.4-metre vintage Pusey motor yacht exuding history and charm, is currently undergoing an extensive restoration at the expert hands of Delta Marine’s Seattle operations reflecting a remarkable blend of old-world allure and contemporary functionality. The project aims to revive the yacht’s original grandeur, with its hull already completed and superstructure nearing completion. This rebirth journey of Acania began when the current owners discovered the vessel languishing in disrepair in a Seattle backwater, and saw the potential beneath the grime and rust. Purchased in 2018, the reimagination of the yacht presented its own challenges. Many ownerships over the years had seen alterations and removals of original features, leaving much of the classic design loss. The Portugal-based studio painstakingly took elaborate 3D scans of Acania to record what remained, and individual components were cautiously taken out, logged, and stored for reinstallation once the yacht was ready. More than 200 microfilm slides of the original construction drawing by John H. Wells enabled the team to understand the original details and plan. Guided by an in-depth research by the client’s personal historian, the restoration seeks to pay homage to the yacht’s yesteryears while still incorporating modern comforts. The new Acania will boast of period-appropriate Art Deco interiors and modern amenities including air conditioning, a lift for food, a power converter for the shore, and a bow thruster among others. To recreate the hand-made aesthetic of the original design, traditional techniques are being used. The boat’s bygone era charm extends to the deck furniture built out of Acania’s original teak decking. The reimagined Acania is a testament to the enduring beauty of vintage design when infused with modern sensibilities, achieving a blend of authenticity and current comfort. As developments unfold, the marine world is eagerly anticipating Acania’s magnificent splash back on the water in the not too distant future.