Best Rebuilt Yacht, The World Superyacht Awards

A Judges' Special Rebuild Award was also given to Freedom, a historic 104ft Trumpy that was named in honour of the date and location of her launch on July 4th 1926 - just across the river from the spot where, exactly 150 years before, the American Declaration of Independence had been signed in Philadelphia. Found languishing in derelict condition in Florida, the restoration of this yacht was financed by a syndicate of 12 owners, among them Earl McMillen at whose shipyard the meticulous work was carried out over a period of five years. The massive extent of this work included the removal of everything salvageable from the yacht and the construction of a new keel, frames and double planking, before she was finished using selected original items in a manner that honoured her history and faithfully returned her to better than new condition with few visible modern additions. This, the judges considered, amounted to a total rebuild rather than a refit, and it was decided to award a Judges' Special Rebuild Award to acknowledge the magnitude and success of this impressive endeavour.

Judges Comment