Wheeler Yacht Company LLC Conducts Successful Initial Sea Trial of the First Wheeler 55
July 18 2024 - 10:00AM
Wheeler Yacht Company LLC has begun initial sea trials for the
Wheeler 55, its newest luxury yacht. The cold-molded wooden vessel
built by the Brooklin Boat Yard began testing in Center Harbor and
the Eggemoggin Reach in Brooklin, Maine and has achieved its early
performance goals. The formal sea trial will be held on July 23 and
the official launch on July 30.
As the newest model from the revered yacht company, the Wheeler
55 trials drew a small crowd of media representatives and a few
local industry experts who were eager to witness the ‘soft launch’
and first engine tests of this luxurious and innovative yacht.
“We’ve had a tremendous media response to our first yacht, the
Wheeler 38, so crafting a 55-foot model built to accommodate more
living space with high-end technology and bespoke luxuries was the
natural next step,” said Wes Wheeler, President, Wheeler Yacht
Company. "Seeing the Wheeler 55 in the water and running her for
the first time on the Reach was an incredible moment for our team
in Brooklin. This yacht represents the pinnacle of our dedication
to quality, craftsmanship and innovation, and we’re thrilled to
share this magnificent yacht with the industry."
Billy Black, a renowned maritime photographer, will capture
videos and stills of the yacht on the open water on July 23.
Limited invitations are available for media and people close to the
project for the final sea trial and the official launch on July 30,
which will be held at the Brooklin Boat Yard on Center Harbor Road
in Brooklin, Maine. ‘Legend’, the Wheeler 38, will also be
available on that date.
The Wheeler 55 is a handcrafted, wood vessel using proprietary
cold-molded techniques. It is built with laminated Douglas fir
structural elements, mahogany plywood hull, Sipo mahogany house,
Sipo interiors and all-teak decks. The yacht is powered by twin
1,000 HP v8 MAN engines and straight shafts and will cruise at 25
knots at 2300 RPM. Other features include synchronized joystick
controls with bow and stern thrusters to ensure easy docking, and
the Seakeeper gyro stabilizer and Zipwake systems to provide a
smooth and stable ride.
“Constructing a yacht with this much state-of-the-art technology
while maximizing the living area was a masterclass in craftsmanship
and planning,” explained Brian Larkin, CEO, Brooklin Boat Yard.
“The carpenters, machinists, mechanics and electricians worked like
a team, negotiating for valuable space on board. The engine room
alone is a work of art. They built a small city in just 19 months.
That’s a testament to how our team works here at the Brooklin Boat
Yard.”
The boating industry’s leading talent collaborated to bring the
Wheeler 55 to life, including designer and naval architect Bill
Prince, Brooklin’s own design team, interior design by Martha
Coolidge and construction by the Brooklin Boat Yard. The Brooklin
Boat Yard team included their President, Brian Larkin, its Chief
Operating Officer Nick Carter, in-house designer Will Sturdy and
project manager Eric Blake.
The Wheeler 55 is the latest chapter in the Wheeler Yacht
Company’s storied history. It was inspired by both the iconic 1931
Wheeler ‘Playmate’ model and its contemporary, the 38’ Wheeler
‘Legend.’ The 38’ Playmate was the vessel in which Ernest Hemingway
wrote “The Old Man and the Sea,” hunted for U-Boats during World
War II and revolutionized sport fishing. Later, a Wheeler Playmate
served as the ‘S.S. Minnow’ in the opening credits of Gilligan’s
Island. During World Wars I and II, Wheeler halted production of
its luxury yachts and diverted its resources to supporting the war
efforts, building 412 vessels for the American and British
militaries.
Download the digital press kit.
- Wheeler 55 port view
- Wheeler 55 bow view
For media inquiries and exclusive interview requests, contact Wes Wheeler:
wes@wpwheeler.com
919-606-5575