Historic Yacht Maemere Sees New Life as Restoration Efforts Gather Speed

Making her graceful return from the brink of demolition is the classic 34.1-metre Trumpy yacht, Maemere. The yacht, having arrived at McMillen Yachts for a thorough restoration in 2022, is currently being rebuilt from the keel up under the talented direction of Newport-based studio, Langan Design. The process has seen the interiors of the vessel removed, with attention now turned towards re-planking the bow.

“The work hasreally picked up pace over the last year,” shares Thomas Degrémont, partner at Langan Design, noting that the yacht has been reworked to approximate her original lines as closely as possible. “The owner is eager to retain some of the yacht’s original elements, such as the cast iron tubs and mouldings, promoting a blend of heritage and modernity in the refurbished design.”

Due to damage from iron rot, much of Maemere’s original wood needed replacement. Likewise, the yacht now boasts a new keel, floors, frames, planking, decking, and steel structure. However, wherever possible, the original hardware will be recycled, and the steel bulkheads have been retained, albeit with bolstered strength.

Just whiskers away from being discarded, Maemere was fortunately reprieved by Earl McMillen III, the president of McMillen Yachts. By introducing a party interested in rescuing the vessel, he orchestrated the vessel’s transition from California to Rhode Island.

Subsequent to an adventurous cross-country journey involving repairs, salvage, and finally transport from Mexico to Philadelphia, Maemere arrived at her new home in Rhode Island. Fatefully, the yacht was offloaded in the river, a stone’s throw away from where she was first constructed in Camden, New Jersey, 93 years prior.

The project proves to be more than just a restoration; it’s a story of revival, bringing back to life a piece of maritime history, one plank at a time.