DELTAVILLE, VA—Waterway Guide Media, America’s most trusted resource for cruising boaters, introduces its flagship yacht—a 1947 classic Trumpy—as part of its 70^th anniversary celebration.

Waterway Guide was founded in 1947 and is the longest continuously published series of annual cruising guides for boaters in the U.S. Content is updated daily at waterwayguide.com. Waterway Guide Media publishes the popular Waterway Guide series that includes Cuba, Bahamas, Southern U.S., Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway, Chesapeake Bay, Northern U.S. and Great Lakes. Skipper Bob Publications, a series of boating guidebooks, is also owned by Waterway Guide Media, LLC.

It’s no mere coincidence that the new flagship Adonia was built in the same year that the company started. That was what caught the eye of Waterway Guide Editor-in-Chief, Ed Tillett and his wife, Anne, when they purchased the yacht. “I was researching the types of boats that were in vogue in 1947 when Waterway Guide was founded and came across the vessel, which was for sale in New York. We thought the 60-foot diesel cruiser would be a perfect fit for Waterway Guide’s 70^th anniversary celebrations next year.”

Built by John Trumpy and Sons at the Mathis yard in Gloucester City, N.J. Adonia has undergone meticulous renovation by local carpenters, painters and craftsmen at Stingray Point Boat Works and Chesapeake Boat Works in Deltaville. Under the guidance of Rick Farinholt, President of the yards, the classic yacht was surveyed and refitted with new wood in the transom, rub rails and a section of plank in the hull. The hull and topsides were sanded, primed and restored to traditional standards. Other work included electrical, mechanical and structural repairs throughout.

Farinholt said, “This is an exceptional boat. The condition of the original planks and overall structure are impressive. Vessels of this age were built with meticulous attention to detail and of some of the best wood and materials available. The crew at Chesapeake Boat Works and Stingray Point Boat Works took pride in their efforts. We worked long hours to meet the deadlines. There are very few of these boats remaining.”

“It is our hope that having Adonia restored locally will draw attention to the wealth of expertise available here in Deltaville,” Tillett noted. “You will not find a better gallery of experienced craftsmen than those in Middlesex County. This area is rich in boatbuilding history and the techniques have been handed down from generation to generation. We are fortunate to have the expertise of Rick and his team for this important renovation. We were on a tight deadline because the boat will be showcased at a special exhibit of Trumpy yacht building in Annapolis in mid-June. It will also be open for tours on the Annapolis waterfront as part of the celebration.”

From the towering smokestacks to the gilded, decorative embossing on the bow, Trumpys are very recognizable, even though only a handful remain in existence. John Trumpy immigrated to the United States at the turn of the 20^th century and distinguished himself as a leading architect of luxury yachts beginning in the 1920s and exceptional military vessels during WWII. Adonia is the 330^th hull built by John Trumpy and Sons and was renamed by Ed and Anne at a ceremony on May 28^th, 2016 at Stingray Point Boat Works. They are the seventh owners of the vessel. 

After its founding in Annapolis in 1947, Waterway Guide changed ownership several times before Jack Dozier purchased the company in 2002. Jeff Jones acquired the Deltaville-based company in 2014. “This yacht signifies the success that Waterway Guide plans to continue to bring to the boating industry. By celebrating America’s nautical heritage with one of the most notable yacht designs in the world, Waterway Guide continues to lead the way as the longest reigning publisher of printed and digital guides for boating, travel and tourism. What better way to celebrate that heritage than to have a Trumpy flagship that was built the same year our first guide was published,” said Jones.

Adonia will be on tour throughout the Chesapeake Bay over the summer and through the fall promoting Waterway Guide and the boating heritage of Middlesex County.