Reviving a 1937 Classic: F. Todd Warner and Bill Prince Reimagine POSH for the 21st Century

F. Todd Warner, a recognized authority on classic wooden powerboats and the owner of the original POSH, approached naval designer Bill Prince roughly two years ago with a clear goal: to develop a 21st-century interpretation of the 1937 John Hacker–designed classic. The plan is not a simple replica, but a thoughtful reimagining that preserves the aesthetic and character of the original while applying contemporary engineering standards and materials.

Warner brings deep experience to the project. As CEO of Mahogany Bay and RetroModerne Yacht Design in Mound, Minnesota, he says he is beginning his 40th year specializing in the restoration, sales, service, design and construction of vintage boats and designs inspired by the past. Over decades in the field, Warner estimates he has owned more than 1,000 classic boats, and his stewardship of historically significant yachts is widely respected in the classic-boat community.

Among Warner’s notable restorations is the original POSH, which he acquired in 2005. Under his care, the yacht has been restored and showcased at major boat shows, where it consistently draws attention. “I am starting my ninth season with POSH,” Warner says. For him, POSH stands out after a long career: “After a thousand boats, [POSH] is the one that rings all the bells and lights, all the fires, and gets all the juices flowing again. That gets harder to do when you have had so many boats to play with.”

Warner is also an active advocate for the performance attributes of classic slender-hull designs. He has piloted his vintage POSH over long coastal passages — including runs of some 600 nautical miles along Florida’s east coast — and has been impressed by the way the hull moves through waves. “I am out there in 4- to 5-foot waves in my long, skinny boat, and it’s amazing how well it performs in these big chops,” he explains. He describes the sensation of a long, narrow hull that slides through the seas rather than pounding, a quality many modern boaters may not fully appreciate but that speaks to the enduring value of older hull concepts.

Design Partnership: Bill Prince and a Modern POSH

Designer Bill Prince, who has a long and varied portfolio, regards the new POSH project as one of the standout designs in his 20-year career. Prince’s ongoing work includes a mix of cutting-edge and traditional craft — from aluminum catamarans and high-performance carbon-fiber yachts to aluminum patrol boats — yet the reinterpretation of POSH holds particular importance because of its cultural and historical resonance.

The design phase for the new POSH remains in engineering, where modern systems, safety standards and propulsion options are being evaluated alongside the desire to retain the visual elegance of the 1937 original. Prince and Warner are reportedly in discussions with “one of the world’s foremost yacht builders” to execute the build. If schedules hold, construction was expected to begin late in the summer following the announcement, with an anticipated completion in the summer of 2015.

More than a restoration or a stylistic exercise, the project aims to bridge eras: to take the past and give it relevance and utility for new generations of owners and admirers. Warner emphasizes that the effort has stirred wide interest among enthusiasts and industry professionals alike. “The project certainly has captured everyone’s imagination,” he says, framing the boat as a living connection between classic yacht design and contemporary boatbuilding practice.

Prince’s and Warner’s collaboration on POSH demonstrates how historical designs can be honored while benefiting from modern engineering and materials. The result promises to be a vessel that respects the original’s spirit and lines, yet meets today’s expectations for safety, performance and usability — a classic reborn for the 21st century.

See related article: POSH: much more than a replica of a masterpiece

June 2014 issue