Click for Nordhavn Click for Comfort Click for MotorCheck Click for Ocean Alexander Click for Perko

First time here Trumpy question

Discussion in 'Trumpy Yacht' started by RussellB, Sep 2, 2015.

  1. RussellB

    RussellB New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 2, 2015
    Messages:
    1
    My parents have lived on a 1947 Trumpy built in Annapolis for the past 30 or so years. I think it was the last one built at the old yard. They are looking to sell, and trying to find the right person. Am wondering if there are anyone has been in this situation and has found alternative ways to interest buyers (with the intention of feeding leads to the broker) who might not have ever thought about living aboard, perhaps through social networking? Tiny homes are a big trend these days and a Trumpy is the ultimate tiny home in my book. Any advice will be appreciated.

    trumpy.jpg
  2. NYCAP123

    NYCAP123 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 14, 2008
    Messages:
    11,205
    Location:
    Long Island, NY
    You've done a pretty good job of getting word out with your post here. I'd suggest that you type "Trumpy" into the SEARCH feature here and look through those threads. You may be able to find a poster there to PM that can give you advice or maybe even a lead.
    Pretty boat. Reminds me one that was in Ft. Lauderdale for a number of years back in the 90's. I believe she was called "Dorasam".

    P.S. Hope you'll stick around YF. With parents who spent 30 years living on a Trumpy I suspect you'll have a bit to contribute that others will find helpful. Welcome.
  3. Ken Bracewell

    Ken Bracewell Senior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 9, 2006
    Messages:
    1,721
    Location:
    Somewhere Sunny
    Not to derail the thread, but Dorisam was a Broward.
  4. Ken Bracewell

    Ken Bracewell Senior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 9, 2006
    Messages:
    1,721
    Location:
    Somewhere Sunny
    I'll bet SeaEric will be chiming in soon. He's probably your best bet to look to for advice about Trumpys and Annapolis.
  5. NYCAP123

    NYCAP123 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 14, 2008
    Messages:
    11,205
    Location:
    Long Island, NY
    Right you are. Thank you Ken. Been a long time since I've seen her and I guess the old mind is failing.:oops:
  6. olderboater

    olderboater Senior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 2, 2013
    Messages:
    7,132
    Location:
    Fort Lauderdale
    This isn't going to be sold to someone just looking for a boat, any boat, to live aboard. It's going to go to someone looking for a Trumpy or other classic. The every day type general live aboard candidate could do it considerably cheaper in a far newer fiberglass Bayliner. It's out of the price range many of them would be looking too. It's got a limited market and will take that perfect situation where someone is dreaming of it and sees the ad.
  7. RER

    RER Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jan 20, 2009
    Messages:
    1,532
    Location:
    Newport Beach CA
    Yup, it's going to take a match made in heaven. It may take some time but it can and does happen. The boat shows very nicely in listing photos with obvious pride of ownership.
  8. SeaEric

    SeaEric YF Historian

    Joined:
    Jan 28, 2007
    Messages:
    1,360
    Location:
    out on the dock
    There's no magic bullet. In my experience, for most of the buyers Trumpy ownership is a bucket list item. Each year there are fewer and fewer buyers with a Trumpy on their list. Price and condition are probably the two biggest attractions with geography running a close third. I see that her asking price was just reduced again. It's just a matter of time. She will sell eventually. As we move toward Fall and cooler weather, it may make sense to move her South to follow the market. Although I have not seen "Rusty Su" in person, the photos and specs online look very nice.
  9. Edwardc1949

    Edwardc1949 New Member

    Joined:
    Jun 1, 2014
    Messages:
    16
    Location:
    wrightsville beach
    SEARIC, did WINDRUSH ever sell ? Edward
  10. SeaEric

    SeaEric YF Historian

    Joined:
    Jan 28, 2007
    Messages:
    1,360
    Location:
    out on the dock
    Hi Edward, Windrush has never really come on the market. I'm not sure what her owner's plans are.
  11. JSChapman

    JSChapman New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 26, 2009
    Messages:
    3
    Location:
    Newport, RI / Fort Lauderdale, FL
    RUSTY SU is a really great Trumpy, She is Contract #330 and the last one built and finished at the Mathis Yard in NJ. There was one hull after her that was partially built, but she was towed down to Annapolis and completed there. Here is a 172 photo slideshow from for her that I put together two years ago that may be of interest you all: https://www.flickr.com/photos/nandjnewport/sets/72157631422022074/
  12. chesapeake46

    chesapeake46 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 26, 2009
    Messages:
    1,776
    Location:
    Chesapeake Bay, Delaware Bay & S.Jersey
  13. SeaEric

    SeaEric YF Historian

    Joined:
    Jan 28, 2007
    Messages:
    1,360
    Location:
    out on the dock
    Hi Ken, Funny that I was just clicking through the older postings and found this one. I did in fact represent the buyer of "Rusty Su" in his purchase of her two years ago. Thank you for your very kind vote of confidence.
  14. rtrafford

    rtrafford Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 13, 2019
    Messages:
    1,579
    Location:
    Vero Beach
    Where is the former Rust-Su now? Last I saw her she was pulling out of Glen Island Harbor....
  15. SeaEric

    SeaEric YF Historian

    Joined:
    Jan 28, 2007
    Messages:
    1,360
    Location:
    out on the dock
    She lives in Virginia now.
  16. rtrafford

    rtrafford Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 13, 2019
    Messages:
    1,579
    Location:
    Vero Beach
    What name has she taken?
  17. Oscarvan

    Oscarvan Senior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 10, 2015
    Messages:
    969
    Location:
    Chesapeake Bay
    A yacht is a bad investment. It is an expensive way to recreate. But to some it's worth it for a variety of reasons. It's pay to play. A wooden classic like a Trumpy is all that plus a historic preservation endeavor. It is even higher in maintenance, and the cost for some of that, due to scarcity of materials and skills, is a factor more than a fiberglass boat.

    I compare it to the 1951 Rolls Royce I once owned, nay had "stewardship" of. Bought it for X, spent Y where Y>X, and eventually passed it on for X+(0.1*Y). But it was more than a car, more than an old car. It was an icon, a piece of history. Such is a Trumpy. One hopefully obtains one with the stated intent of preserving it to the best of ones ability. One does not rip out the cabinets and put new ones in, no matter how exotic the wood or famous the inferior desecrator. And one brings VERY deep pockets.

    Many of us owning old Hatts, Burgers, Chris Crafts etc. operate under the same MO, although maybe not AS historically correct. We at least try and not molest them while maximizing our enjoyment.

    I hope this fine vessel finds a good home. She deserves it.

    Attached Files:

  18. rtrafford

    rtrafford Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 13, 2019
    Messages:
    1,579
    Location:
    Vero Beach
    A yacht isn't a financial investment in an asset. It's a financial investment into a lifestyle. How much did you pay for her? How much did you have to pay in to maintain and perform? How much did you have to pay to play, fuel, dock, provisions? How much did you get when you sold her? That delta is what it cost you for the lifestyle.

    Unless you own a yard and can self perform all aspects of the work, more or less, there is no financial value in yachting. It's emotional. It's a peace of mind, quality of health, general fulfillment. You don't get into the joys of renovating to flip for a profit. You do it to get in to it at a cost point, and the work becomes both your effort to establish a level of quality and reliability as well as to get her to fit your needs and wants.

    I know full well what I've spent. I know full well that if I sell I'll net a meaningful loss. My hope is that I've been careful enough to somewhat mitigate that loss by value engineering and selection quality along the way that realizes a higher point of sale. But in the end it's a measure of that cost versus my enjoyment and safety along the way.

    In that regard I'm already profitable despite the balance sheet analysis.
  19. Oscarvan

    Oscarvan Senior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 10, 2015
    Messages:
    969
    Location:
    Chesapeake Bay
    Bingo. A happy place is worth whatever we can afford.
  20. rtrafford

    rtrafford Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 13, 2019
    Messages:
    1,579
    Location:
    Vero Beach
    Lol, trust me when I say that when the politico's that want to run our lives demand that I quarantine? I smile. I untie. I burn fossil fuel and gladly keep my distance.