Home Superyacht news The Art of the Trumpy: Celebrating Three Historic Yachts on the Market Today
For collectors, purists, and admirers of classic American yachting, few names carry the prestige and romance of Trumpy. Known for their immaculate lines, handcrafted wooden construction, and unmistakable presence on the water, Trumpy yachts remain some of the most revered vessels ever built in the United States.
Today, three remarkable examples—SOMERSET, BERNADETTE, and ABSOLUTE—stand ready for new ownership, each with its own story, restoration journey, and enduring legacy.
Built in 1958 and showcasing the beloved “galley-up” configuration designed by John Trumpy, BERNADETTE offers a uniquely functional and welcoming layout. Having the galley on the main deck enhances entertaining, improves flow, and maximizes comfort—one reason this layout remains highly sought after among Trumpy enthusiasts.
Beautifully maintained both mechanically and cosmetically, BERNADETTE has benefited from continuous system updates, ensuring she performs as gracefully as she looks. She is:
With her rich heritage and warm, unmistakable Trumpy aesthetic, BERNADETTE represents both a lifestyle and an investment in American maritime history.
The eighth-to-last Trumpy ever built, ABSOLUTE is a yacht with a storied lineage. Commissioned by Bayard Sharp of the DuPont family and launched as GALPO, she has since passed through the hands of owners who have appreciated her elegance, provenance, and craftsmanship.
Now under the care of her sixth owner, ABSOLUTE has been treated to a comprehensive restoration that brings her remarkably close to her original launch condition. Recent upgrades include:
Her structural, mechanical, and aesthetic condition is exemplary, making ABSOLUTE a true turnkey classic. She is ready to cruise—and ready to continue her legacy with a new steward who values history wrapped in impeccable craftsmanship.
As the sixth-to-last Trumpy ever constructed, SOMERSET represents the final era of the iconic builder’s craftsmanship. Originally launched as SPINDLE for Mr. Gerrish Milliken, Jr., she later became SOMERSET under subsequent owners—her name carried with pride through three custodians.
In 2012–2013, SOMERSET underwent a true keel-up rebuild, reaffirming her pedigree and extending her legacy for decades to come. The refit included:
Today, she stands as a testament to what a properly restored Trumpy should be—elegant, seaworthy, and free of known deficiencies. For buyers seeking a classic yacht with the reliability of a modern rebuild, SOMERSET is an unmatched opportunity.
Classic Trumpy yachts are more than vessels—they are floating heirlooms. Whether lovingly restored or meticulously preserved, they offer:
SOMERSET, BERNADETTE, and ABSOLUTE each embody these qualities in their own way, offering three extraordinary opportunities to join the legacy.
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Crafted to the highest standards, chosen for their legacy.
Abeking & Rasmussen yacht builders, a renowned German shipyard established in 1907, specializes in crafting custom luxury yachts over 98 feet, blending traditional craftsmanship with innovative design
Amels, a prestigious Dutch shipyard established in 1918 and now part of the Damen Group, is renowned for its custom and Limited Editions superyachts that blend timeless design, advanced technology, and eco-conscious innovation.
Baglietto, a historic Italian shipyard founded in 1854, is renowned for its custom-built aluminum and steel yachts ranging from 38 to 65 meters, blending traditional craftsmanship with cutting-edge innovation and sustainable design.
Benetti, a historic Italian shipyard founded in 1873 and now part of the Azimut-Benetti Group, is renowned for its custom and semi-custom steel-and-aluminum yachts ranging from 93 to over 213 feet, blending timeless elegance with innovative design and eco-conscious technology.
Burger Boat Company, established in 1863 in Manitowoc, Wisconsin, is one of America's oldest and most esteemed custom yacht builders, renowned for crafting bespoke aluminum and steel yachts up to 200 feet that seamlessly blend traditional craftsmanship with modern innovation.
Feadship, a prestigious Dutch shipbuilding consortium established in 1949, is renowned for crafting fully custom superyachts that epitomize innovation, craftsmanship, and timeless design.
Fincantieri Yachts, established in 2005 as a division of Italy's renowned shipbuilding group Fincantieri, specializes in crafting fully custom mega yachts over 70 meters, blending advanced naval engineering with Italian design excellence.
Royal Hakvoort Shipyard, a family-owned Dutch builder since 1919, specializes in crafting bespoke steel and aluminum superyachts up to 65 meters, blending traditional craftsmanship with modern innovation.
Heesen Yachts, founded in 1978, is a Dutch shipyard acclaimed for building high-performance custom superyachts in aluminum and steel up to 80 meters.
Lürssen, a German shipyard founded in 1875, is renowned for building some of the world's largest and most luxurious custom superyachts, including the 180.65-meter Azzam and the 156-meter Dilbar, blending advanced naval engineering with bespoke design.
Mulder Shipyard, a Dutch family-owned builder established in 1938, specializes in crafting semi-custom aluminum motor yachts up to 50 meters, blending traditional craftsmanship with modern innovation.
Nobiskrug, a German shipyard founded in 1905, is renowned for crafting iconic custom superyachts like Sailing Yacht A and Artefact, blending advanced engineering with innovative design.
Nordhavn Yachts, established by Pacific Asian Enterprises in 1978, is renowned for building robust, long-range trawler-style motor yachts ranging from 40 to 120 feet, designed for global circumnavigation and ocean-crossing adventures.
Ocean Alexander, founded in 1977 in Taiwan, is a premier yacht builder known for its semi-custom luxury yachts ranging from 45 to 155 feet, blending advanced engineering with elegant design and craftsmanship.
Rossinavi, an Italian shipyard founded in 1980 in Viareggio, specializes in fully custom steel and aluminum superyachts ranging from 30 to 70 meters, blending Italian craftsmanship with cutting-edge design and eco-conscious innovation.
Sanlorenzo, founded in 1958 in Italy, is a premier yacht builder renowned for its bespoke luxury yachts and superyachts ranging from 24 to 70 meters, blending Italian craftsmanship with innovative design and advanced technology.
Westport Yachts, established in 1964 in Washington State, is a leading American shipyard renowned for its high-quality composite motor yachts ranging from 34 to 52 meters, blending advanced engineering with timeless design.
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