Wheeler 55: A New Adventure Cruiser from Wheeler Yacht Company

The Wheeler Yacht Company of Chapel Hill, North Carolina, has partnered with Brooklin Boat Yard in Brooklin, Maine, to introduce a new adventure cruiser: the Wheeler 55. Drawing inspiration from the company’s storied past while incorporating modern systems and comforts, the Wheeler 55 aims to blend classic styling with contemporary performance and luxury for owners who value craftsmanship and long-range cruising capability.

Founded in 1910 by Howard E. Wheeler Sr., Wheeler Yacht Company built more than 800 vessels for both World Wars and developed a reputation for finely crafted pleasure boats. One of the company’s most famous creations is Pilar, the 38‑foot commuter-style yacht built for writer and sportsman Ernest Hemingway in the 1930s. The Wheeler 55 channels that same timeless aesthetic—clean lines, traditional proportions, and attention to detail—while delivering the amenities and systems expected on a modern adventure cruiser.

Wes Wheeler, the great‑grandson of the founder, emphasizes both the rarity and the intent behind the design: “There’s a small, niche market for this kind of design. It’s going to be a museum piece that actually runs like any of the high‑performance boats you see out there today.” Wes and his wife, Marianne, together with his siblings, continue to operate the family company and to protect the Wheeler legacy through projects like the 55.

Hull No. 1 measures 55 feet, 5 inches overall, with a beam of 16 feet, 9 inches. Built at Brooklin Boat Yard, the hull left the paint shop recently as the Wheeler team prepared for finishing and sea trials. The boat is constructed using cold‑molded techniques and traditional materials—African mahogany, Douglas fir and teak—offering a handcrafted feel and visual warmth that contrasts with many contemporary composite yachts.

Designed as an adventure cruiser, the interior layout accommodates extended cruising and comfortable living aboard. The Wheeler 55 features three cabins and three heads with showers, providing private, well‑appointed spaces for owners and guests. The salon delivers a bright, social interior, while the pilothouse supports safe, comfortable navigation in a variety of conditions. A promenade deck and a generous swim platform give easy access to the water for diving, fishing or relaxation.

Practical systems and creature comforts make the 55 suitable for long passages. The rooftop houses a crane rated for 1,000 pounds, capable of supporting an optional 12‑foot tender. The galley comes equipped with a refrigerator, freezer, wine cooler, ice maker, cooktop, microwave and an espresso station; a dishwasher and oven are available as optional upgrades. For liveaboard or extended cruising needs, the yacht can be fitted with a washer and dryer, central air conditioning and Starlink satellite Wi‑Fi.

Performance and handling were prioritized alongside classic styling. Standard propulsion is provided by twin 850‑hp MAN engines with joystick controls; owners can choose twin 1,000‑hp MANs as an upgrade. The Wheeler 55 is projected to cruise at about 25 knots, with a top end near 33 knots. Modern ride and stabilization systems include Garmin navigation electronics, a bow thruster for ease of maneuvering, a Seakeeper gyro stabilizer and a Zipwake dynamic trim system to improve comfort underway.

Wheeler plans to launch the 55 for its first sea trial in late July. The combination of traditional boatbuilding materials, cold‑molded construction, and contemporary propulsion and electronics positions the Wheeler 55 as a compelling option for buyers seeking a handcrafted yacht with modern capability.

About the project and the company’s continuity, Wes adds, “I still have a lot of Howard Wheeler’s old drawings, even in his own pencil. The family still believes in the Wheeler Yacht Company’s history and legacy. This is one way of maintaining that legacy for years to come.” The Wheeler 55 is intended to honor that lineage while offering a practical, comfortable platform for today’s cruisers.

This article was originally published in the August 2024 issue.