Seafarer Yachts

Seafarer Yachts was a prominent American boatbuilder founded in 1964 by William Tripp Sr. in Huntington, New York, specializing in affordable fiberglass cruising sailboats that brought offshore capability to the masses until its closure in 1977. Starting with the Seafarer 29 (1964, ~300 built) and expanding to the Seafarer 31 (1968, ~200 built), Seafarer 34 (1971), and Seafarer 38 (1973), the company—under designers like McCurdy & Rhodes and Bill Tripp—produced ~1,500 hulls with hand-laid GRP, balsa-cored decks, fin keels with skeg rudders, and moderate displacement (D/L 250–300) for balanced performance (SA/D ~16–18) and family cruising. Known for solid construction, spacious interiors (teak trim, 6+ berths), and value (new prices $15K–$40K in 1970s), Seafarer boats excelled in Bermuda Race, club PHRF (180–220), and Great Lakes sailing. After financial troubles in the 1970s, the yard closed in 1977,