Sea Tabby is one of the classic Trumpy/Mathis "Houseboats" that were popular in the twenties through the fifties. What distinguishes SEA TABBY from those of her pre war class, that are still in service, is that she retains her charming classical detailing and features such as the original paneling, secretary and sideboard, present when she was launched. In June of 2003 after four years a complete restoration was finished. The complete structural rebuilding including: all bottom planking on new ribs, floor timbers, stem, fuel tanks, new decks, trim, new 16kw generator and new mechanical, plumbing, electrical systems. It would not be an exaggeration to say the "Sea Tabby" is fitter than the day she was launched since some current techniques and systems were used when improvements could be made over the materials available in 1938, yet never compromising the integrity of the vessel as a vintage yacht.
Her spacious layout with large saloon, aft deck and three cabins is a result of her plumb bow and stern which makes this sixty one foot yacht have as much room as perhaps a current seventy five foot deck plan.
Her present owners of twenty-eight years have loved and cherished her and have made every effort to provide "Sea Tabby" with the care and updating required to maintain this very special yacht. This well known yacht, rich in history is still turning heads today and is the subject of much interest as she cruises in New England or on the East Coast to Florida.
The SEA TABBY was designed by John Trumpy and built in Camden, NJ by the famed wooden yacht builders, whose achievements are legendary, including the presidential yacht SEQUOIA. There are not many vessels from this era that have been lovingly maintained in their original condition. Yet even with the best of care and having just a few owners in its sixty-five year history, SEA TABBY was showing signs of her age. In 1999 the present owners (since 1982), embarked on an ambitious restoration. In August 2003, the SEA TABBY was relaunched after four years and thousands of man hours in totally rebuilding the hull, replacing most exterior trim, replacing all systems, and installing modern conveniences for cruising, including stabilizers and central air/heat throughout.
Now the SEA TABBY is once again cruising from New England to Florida, as she has done almost every year since she was launched. She is turning heads everywhere she goes, giving a thrill to those who see her and recognize her as a treasure from yachting's elegant past.
Sea Tabby, hull # 235, was built in 1938 by the Mathis boat building company in Gloucester City, New Jersey and was designed by John Trumpy Jr. who took over the business and eventually moved the operations to Annapolis, Maryland and as the "Trumpy Boat Building Co." continued to build the finest wooden boats until 1972.
The "Sea Tabby" was originally built as "Helma" for Bruce Dodson a well known yachtsman. She lay idle during the war until in 1945 Charles Karagheusian, a prominent carpet manufacturer bought her and renamed her "Sea Tabby", his third boat of that name. Under "Mr. K's" ownership she was lovingly maintained and sailed year round with a captain and crew. In fact, toward the end of his life he spent most of his time aboard rather than live in his Fifth Avenue apartment and spent his year aboard between Florida and Nantucket until his death in 1977. The present owners knew the boat from being docked in an adjacent berth in Nantucket and after its disappearance after Mr. K's death searched for a boat like it until they were fortunate enough to acquire it in 1982.
In 1938 when "Sea Tabby" was launched, John Trumpy combined his considerable expertise in yacht design with the finest of materials and craftsmanship to produce an outstanding example of what is now considered a classic yacht. "Sea Tabby" came from the designer and builder of many of the most famous and luxurious yachts produced in the first half of the 20th century including the presidential yacht "Sequoia". She was built for coastal cruising from Maine to Florida and has made the round trip more than 45 times. The "Sea Tabby" is an elegant reminder of the gracious golden era of yachting.
"Sea Tabby" has been beautifully maintained in her original condition and only modified to improve safety and navigational considerations without altering the essential character of the yacht. Today when cruising she is a "head turner" a beautiful reminder of a by-gone era. However, this yacht has the modern comfort conveniences of central air/reverse cycle heat, stabilizers and a well equipped galley. With modern GM diesels, stabilizers, and displacement hull she cruises economically at ten knots. Modern electronics included radar, GPS, chart plotter, depth sounder, and radio.
In June of 2003 after four years a complete restoration was finished. The complete structural rebuilding including: all bottom planking on new ribs, floor timbers, stem, fuel tanks, new decks, trim, new 16kw generator and new mechanical, plumbing, electrical systems. "Sea Tabby" is not a repaired vessel, but rather a careful restoration of the original yacht using materials often more long lasting than the original. This, plus superior workmanship has resulted in a yacht that can only increase in value.
The galley has been nicely reconfigured. The original ash locker doors were moved and lockers rebuilt. Room was made for a full size stove, so that a more functional galley resulted. The galley includes: a 30" Frigidaire range with 4 propane burners cook top and 220v electric conventional/convection oven,(the flow of propane is controlled by a solenoid switch on the bulkhead); Magic Chef, under counter type refrigerator (2008), a Marvel under counter size freezer, both built in the port side with storage locker between. Formica counters have storage drawers and lockers underneath and a 24 inch stainless steel sink on the port side. There are original hanging fiddles for plates, dishes and glasses. There are two fold down shelves mounted on the bulkhead for additional workspace.
In 2003 the new wiring configuration was designed and installed to accommodate all the systems being installed at that time. Existing wiring was checked and replaced as needed. All electrics terminate in MARINETICS and BLUESEA breaker panels located on the galley/engine room wall.
The fuel tanks were replaced in 2003.
length:61ft |
beam:16ft |
draft:5ft |
|
year built:1938 |
rebuilt:1999-2003 |
US documentation #:36970 |
|
builder:Mathis/Trumpy, Camden, NJ |
designer:John Trumpy |
||
engines:Twin GM 6-71 |
cruise speed/max:9knts/12knts |
fuel:600 gals |
water:400 gals |
generators:NORTHERN LIGHTS 16kw & 8kw |
|||
Marine Air central air/reverse cycle heat throughout with individual cabin comfort controls.
Naiad Marine Roll Stabilizers.
Vacuflush Coast Guard approved marine toilet system.
NAVIGATION: Faruno NavNet, GPS, radar, chart plotter, VHF radio, depth finder. Cell phone.
Bar cabinet with ice maker on aft deck.
Entertainment electronics: flat screen TV, CD/DVD player, receiver and speakers.
CD and DVD library. Library in the "K" stateroom.
Two Dyer rowing dinghies, with 4.5 horsepower motor. Swim ladder.
Three cabins each with its own head with granite vanities, two with showers.
MORNING WINGS STATEROOM : full width master cabin with head, lavatory and shower en-suite, twin lower berths.
NANTUCKET STATEROOM: twin lower berth cabin with adjoining head, lavatory and shower.
"K" STATEROOM: charming library cabin with single berth, desk and private head and lavatory.
The foredeck area is shaded by all weather canvas awning, as was the style on the earlier Mathis/Trumpys. A comfortable mahogany athwartship bench with cushions, spans the width of this area and is the perfect observation point when underway. Vented propane locker is located under the seat with 2 horizontal steel tanks with solenoid shut off controlled from the galley. Behind the weather screen are four mahogany locker/benches containing dock lines, etc. Between the weather screen is hatch to the crews quarters and passage to the foredeck anchoring area. Forward is the original powerful (32v) IDEAL WINDLASS, which was rebuilt by IDEAL in 2003, including a new stainless steel enclosure, with the original bronze fittings. The windlass handles both line and 3/8 inch chain, of which approximately 200 feet is stored below the crew sole. A fresh water wash down spigot is located next to the windlass. Two anchors in chocks are on the foredeck; FORTRESS FX-55 with 20 feet of 3/8 chain and 300 feet of 7/8 inch nylon (new 2006); FORTRESS FX-37 with 20 feet of 5/16 inch chain, 200 3/4 inch nylon rode. Two holding tank pump out plates are located port and starboard forward of the weather screen.
The wheelhouse is paneled and trimmed in mahogany. Included is the original wheel, binnacle and controls, radar/chart plotter display, VHF radio, backup GPS, depth finder display, chart table with light and stabilizer controls. On the bulkhead wall is a plaque given by John Trumpy, Jr. to the previous owner commemorating the year and place SEA TABBY was built. Also included is a registration plaque from the Thousand Islands Museum, antique clinometers. Excluded is the Seth Thomas ships clock and Barometer which are modern.
The original walnut paneled saloon includes a counter-weighted dumb waiter, which lowers to the galley by means of a pulley (temporarily locked in place) with a door into the wheelhouse and the saloon for serving. Also original to this boat is the leaded glass secretary/cabinet with drop down writing desk, drawer and locker below; a drop down window with porthole and screens that opens into the wheelhouse on the forward bulkhead where the original Trumpy sideboard is located. Included is an antique walnut dining table, which matches the detailing of the original furniture and four upholstered dining chairs and the antique inclinometer. Included is flat screen TV, receiver, disc player, speakers, mounted porcelain lamp above stairway to cabins, two leaded glass candle scones flanking the sliding aft deck door, original lighted sconces and shades. Forward starboard is the stairway to the galley, crews quarters and engine room; port aft is the beautiful original stairway to the lower deck cabins. Excluded is the antique country Sheraton sofa, all paintings, objects in secretary, other furniture not mentioned.
The spacious aft deck has opening Dacron and clear plastic weather curtains (new 2007), with weather cloth below and weather doors opening to the side decks. On the starboard forward cabin bulkhead is a custom mahogany bar with built in stainless Raritan ICER-ETTE-Ice Maker . On the port side is a mahogany locker for storage. On the aft railing is a custom mahogany cabinet including life jackets, fender boards, etc. Included is the white settee and tables. Included on the forward bulkhead are two SEA TABBY life rings, Stored on the starboard aft rail is the MARQUIPT custom boarding ladder, with swim ladder extension (stored on the boat deck) which is affixed to any of the four boarding stations fore and aft. Excluded are the four antique wicker chairs and ships bell (which was given to the present owners by a friend).
Two varnished wood and bronze boat hooks, assorted fenders, dock lines, and two SEA TABBY life rings. Note the custom stainless ladder fittings custom designed and fabricated to accept both the boarding ladder and the custom MARQUIP tide rider-boarding ladder, which is stored on the starboard rail. Unique to this Trumpy (which is believed to have been retrofitted by Trumpy) is the stairway to the boat deck located behind the starboard weather door, with hatch opening to the boat deck. (Most Trumpys' of this size have a vertical ladder to the boat deck, which is difficult to navigate.)
The boat deck is reached by the stairway from the starboard companionway and hatch. Located here are the two 11 foot DYER fiberglass rowing dinghies, in davits, with one 2 horsepower HONDA outboard. Dinghies are equipped with oars, oar locks, etc. Located on the centerline is the guyed fir mast which can easily be lowered to the deck to clear bridges. On the mast are running light, anchor light, TV antenna, owners absent and dinner light, all in working order. Forward is the working stack, with two engine exhaust pipes as well as a ventilator for the engine room.
Original layout and furniture including twin mahogany berths with storage drawers underneath, side lockers, bureau between the bunks, mirror above, hanging locker and door to the en suite head. Beautifully detailed beam ceiling. Head includes, shower, granite vanity and vacuum flush head. Included are the brass barometer and clock and two framed prints. Excluded are the two-framed original watercolors, and the "Morning Wings" quarterboard.
This charming pine paneled cabin is not original, however, it was probably installed in the early fifties by the previous long time owner. It has a single berth, with storage drawers underneath, writing desk with side chair, bookshelves with many books, some of which are included. There is a door to the head and granite lavatory and a hanging locker.
Original layout and furniture including twin mahogany berths with storage drawers underneath, bureau between the bunks, mirror above, hanging locker and door to the en suite head. Included is the Nantucket map, quarterboard and half hull model. Excluded are the two original watercolors, whale carving and sailor's valentine.
The crews quarters includes two berths with storage lockers and storage shelving underneath and hanging lockers. The crew table has under-counter Lady Kenmore dryer (vented above to the main deck) and a under-counter KENMORE ELITE refrigerator(2008). Starboard forward is installed a full size, front loading WHIRLPOOL washer (2007). Forward is the crew head, with shower, sink and head.
The galley was reconfigured in the rebuild project. The original ash locker doors were moved and lockers rebuilt, room was made for a full size stove, so that a more functional galley resulted. The galley includes: a 30 inch, FRIGIDAIRE stove with 4 propane burners cook top and 220v electric conventional/convection oven,(the flow of propane is controlled by a solenoid switch on the bulkhead); MAGIC CHEF, under counter type refrigerator (2008), a MARVEL under counter size freezer, both built in the port side with storage locker between. Formica counters have storage drawers and lockers underneath and a 24 inch stainless steel sink on the port side. There are original hanging fiddles for plates, dishes and glasses. There are two fold down shelves mounted on the bulkhead for additional workspace.
At the time of the rebuild completed in 2003, most components of the mechanical systems were replaced new (unless so noted).
A new central reverse cycle system was engineered and installed by Ocean Options, RI. It includes:
Was installed new. The three aft heads are Model 548 PLUS DELUXE PORCELAIN TOILETS. The crews head is the regular model. Each of four heads have separate vacuum pump units. Three of these are located in the engine room. The fourth, for the crews head is located in an adjacent locker. The main runs to the holding tanks are rigid pvc installed accordingly as required by VACUFLUSH. There are two custom polyethylene tanks approximately 85 gallons each port and starboard located on the floors under the crews cabin sole. Starboard tank serves main head and crew; port tank the aft cabin and library heads. There is a crossover tee. Each tank has pump out deck plate on the port and starboard forward deck as well as a direct overboard discharge (if required) through keyed switches and monitoring panel in the galley.
WATER HEATER- GE/RHEEM 20 gallon 110v provides adequate hot water for cabins and galley.
BILGE PUMPS
4 Bilge pumps with float switches discharges above the waterline are installed port and starboard.
Starboard: 12v galley , 32v companionway aft.
Port: 32v galley, 12v companionway aft.
A high water bilge alarm sounds in the wheel house.
At the time of the refit, John Whitney of Newport, RI designed and installed the new wiring configuration to accommodate all the systems being installed at that time. Existing wiring was checked and replaced as needed. All electrics terminate in MARINETICS and BLUESEA breaker panels located on the galley/engine room wall. The electric systems include:
On the main deck forward is a comfortable athwart ship settee, a wonderful vantage point when cruising. Immediately aft is the wheelhouse and adjoining it is the commodious walnut paneled saloon with a rear door to the large covered aft deck with weather curtains and wicker seating. Meals can be taken either in the salon's dining area or on the aft deck. The galley and crew's quarters are below, forward. A stairway leads from the saloon below aft to the three staterooms and main head. Below, three staterooms afford comfortable accommodations. The largest stateroom "Morning Wings" is located aft with two single beds, a head with toilet, shower and basin. The "Nantucket" cabin is a double decorated with art and memorabilia from that island. Adjoining is the main large head (which also has an entrance from the hallway) with shower. The "K" cabin is a cozy pine paneled library with a single berth which served as Mr. Karagheusian's own cabin. It has a private head and sink. The top deck or boat deck is accessible from the starboard companionway stairway and is equipped with two Dyer dinghies with outboard motor and deck boxes for storage.
The Sea Tabby is available for photo shoots, movie productions, and private charters.
For more information please contact:
Todd Micheal Glaser
P: 786 208 2124
E: tmgeng64@aol.com