Stephens Waring worked with the owner of a classic 45’ Huckins to redesign the hull structure to accept the most modern of power plants: twin Volvo IPS drives. In the classic Huckins QuadroConic hull form, the IPS performs marvelously, boosting speed, cutting fuel consumption, and increasing maneuverability. This first-in-the-world retrofit gave the owner exactly what he wanted—a classic yacht with state-of-the-art performance.
If a traditional yacht restoration is like restoring the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, restomods are the equivalent of pop-art renditions of classic masterpieces. They take the best from the past with something fun, modern, and exciting.
Exterior photo of the 25-M Power Cat and rendering after SWD Restomod design updates.
Restomods and renovation share a romance of classic and timeless design. However, the approach to breathing new life into a classic boat can be divisive, and each approach has its unique merits.
The primary objective of a restoration project is to bring a boat back to its original design and construction as closely as possible. Good restoration experts put significant time into researching the origins and background of the original build including understanding the history of the designer, construction techniques of the time, design philosophy, parts suppliers, and material sources.
As Spirit of Tradition yacht designers, we have a track record for embracing the juxtaposition of mixing old with new.We take the best of mid-century aesthetics and toss them in the blender with modern engineering, systems, and amenities. This philosophy carries over to the art of the restomod.
While purists would rather dunk their heads in a bucket of linseed oil than see a historic vessel reimagined, there are many reasons to love the concept. While retaining a classic facade, restomods often house modern engines, user-friendly rigging, and cutting-edge technology. They enjoy the creature comforts of climate control, navigation and infotainment, refreshed interior design elements and decor, and advanced safety systems. They can even include updated keel and hull designs, making the vessel faster and more efficient.
Restomods also provide a unique opportunity for the designer and client to create something original. A one-of-a-kind restomod design process allows the owner to select from a wishlist of heritage and modern components and themes. The design process is deeply personal, allowing the client to preserve historical values while integrating customized needs for performance, comfort, and style.
Featured Restomod Projects
Redesigned salon on the 25-M Powercat ingrates an open lounge and galley space with led lighting and large panoramic windows.
Most recently, Stephens Waring has embarked on one of the most ambitious Resto-mod projects in its books. We were tasked with a complete rethink and reimagination of a 25M powercat. The yacht was initially designed by Derek Kelsall, a notable New Zealand designer who made a name for himself with multihull designs in the 1990s.
The original design called for an around-the-world, blue-water sailing catamaran with a sloop-style rig. To convert her into a modern power cat, a blue-sky approach has been taken to the entire yacht from the inside out. The flying bridge, pilothouse, and bridge deck level have been scrapped and redesigned. Her interior, a collaboration between SWD and Verge Yacht Design, features crisp, modern detail throughout. Select custom pieces will highlight the space and will be tuned to fit the owner’s parameters of function and style.
Digging Deeper in History
1020’s Aphrodite was completely restored during Robert Stephen and Paul Waring’s time at Booklin Boat Yard.
The needle of history was pulled back even further on the mighty 1937 Purdy commuter yacht, Aphrodite. From her launch, she was a magnet for attention and she drew a list of famous passengers. Shirley Temple celebrated her birthday in her salon, Fred Astaire tap-danced on her deck, and Katharine Hepburn and Spencer Tracey enjoyed a romantic cruise aboard. After Pearl Harbor, she operated as a Coast Guard, serving as a PT test vessel and as an escort for Queen Mary and President Roosevelt’s Hudson River train.
By the early 2000’s, the boat was in rough shape and ready for a major overhaul. She was completely restored during Robert Stephen and Paul Waring’s time at Booklin Boat Yard. Her rehabilitation pushed the boundaries of blending traditional design and technological innovation showing how each can have their place on the water. Her engines were replaced with twin 1,000 HP Cat diesels with modern drive shaft steering systems. We also installed new tanks and plumbing systems, and completely revamped the interior, offering a thrilling glimpse at what yachting was like in the 1930s—with all the comforts of today.
Nailing the Interior Design
When the New York Yacht Club commissioned, Marilee, one of the new NY40 one-design class in 1916, Nathanael Herreshoff’s objective was to design a competitive racer that was seaworthy enough for ocean racing yet also provided elegant accommodation for coastal cruising.
Modern LED lighting was blended with antique leathers, wood and pewter accents, and antique linen, creating a sense of depth and age to the newly designed cabin of Marilee. Photo credit: Alison Langley
The 12 original NY40s only saw two racing seasons before World War I put a halt to sailing. A short rebound after the war provided a heyday for the fleet, but economic pressures of the 30’s and 40’s pushed favor to smaller more economical racing vessels.
By 2014, Marilee was a mismatch of previous haphazard repair and restoration attempts and needed a new holistic revision. French and Webb began a meticulous renovation of her hull and exterior structure. However, Marilee’s owner had the bold vision to create an interior that reflected the yacht’s century-long provenance while creating a comfortable and open living space below.
The team worked with Stephens Waring to replace the dark victorian-styled “cigar room” interior typical of so many classic yachts with an updated layout for relaxed, modern-day use. The space emphasized Herreshoff’s guiding principles of uncluttered sightlines while incorporating a stylish and functional space. Paneled bulkheads, seating areas, and functional areas were crafted from cypress, creating a patina authentic to Marilee’s original design. Old growth cypress logs sunken for 150 years in a North Carolina riverbed were resurrected and sawn for her interior bulkheads.
Modern LED lighting was blended with antique leathers, wood and pewter accents, and antique linen and distressing techniques were applied to new custom finishes, creating a sense of depth and age to the newly designed cabin.
In Conclusion,
Redesigned helm of 25-M Powercat featuring the latest navigation technology and redesigned interior space.
There is no right or wrong in the debate of restoration and restomod renovations. The challenge of working with a classic boat is an opportunity as it forces a greater level of discipline and creativity, which gets us excited. The design choice is all about passion, preference, and a romance of enjoying something from the past.
As boat designers, we relish the opportunity to breathe new life into a historic vessel while allowing the owners to incorporate their ideas and passions into a project.
After all, don’t we all want to leave an imprint on history?
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