Willards - the first production trawler yachts!
Willard Marine was founded in 1957 to build custom fiberglass yachts. Its first trawler yacht, the Willard 36, was launched in 1961--three years before the first Grand Banks, 10 years before the first Marine Trader, and 28 years before the first Nordhavn.
The William Garden designed Vega 36 was sold primarily as a sedan flybridge cruiser, but also as a motorsailer and a pilothouse North Sea Trawler style. Until 1977 the term "Vega" was used to denote the hull style. It does not identify a model. (More about William Garden and the Vega 36.)
A wide range of 30 and 40-foot models were added to the line in the 70's and 80's. Although never intended as luxury yachts, it is a testament to the line that so many of them are still around, and are highly sought after by knowledgeable boaters looking for tough, comfortable, dependable boats.
Willard ceased pleasure boat manufacturing around 2003, to focus on military and commercial vessel sales. ["End of an Era" Press Release]
Willard Models:
The following descriptions were provided by Patrick Gerety of Willard Marine in 2000.
Willard 30: From WBO #211:
The Nomad version is a 'sedan' style with flybridge above on the boat deck. 29 of this version were built.
The Voyager is a raised 'pilothouse' style with a full width saloon aft of the pilothouse. There were 29 of this version built.
The Horizon is a 'motorsailer' with low profile superstructure. There were 28 Horizon versions and 2 Horizon II versions built.The Searcher is a 'fishboat' style with pilothouse and flybridge directly above the pilothouse. A total of 20 hulls were built. At the time, it was the least requested version. But today, the fishboat, retro look has enjoyed a resurgence of interest and this version is particularly in demand.
In addition, 2 hulls were produced and sold as 'hull only'.
Willard 8 ton Cutter
Willard began producing a cutter-rigged sailboat on the Vega 30 hull in response to the energy crisis. Production began in 1975 and ended in 1976. A total of 30 Cutters were produced in that two-year period.
Willard 30 Trawler Yacht
In 1976 Willard Marine began production of the "new" Willard 30, often called the Mark II or 30/4. This new model had an all fiberglass superstructure, unlike the earlier Vega 30. This model has been produced in three different versions and production continues today. A total of 28 boats were built.
The W30FS is a flybridge sedan version. This version is a derivative of the Vega 30 Nomad design.
The W30PH is a raised pilothouse design. It is somewhat similar to the Vega 30 Voyager design. The first W30PH was built in 1999. Two more were built in 2001.
The W30LA is a unique adaptation of the W30 design to make a 30-foot boat functional as a 'liveaboard'. This version cannot be compared to anything. There is nothing quite like it on the market today. One W30LA was built in 1999.
Willard 36: From WBO #218:
The Willard Vega 36 was introduced in 1961. Production came to a halt in 1970. Exactly 39 hulls were produced during the intervening 9 years with hull numbers from 1 to 40. Hull number 13 was never built.
The most popular version was the Standard Cruiser. This version was a "sedan" style with flybridge above, on the boat deck. A total of 28 were built. There is a single stateroom forward in the bow with head. A starboard linear galley is included in the saloon. This version is valued for its huge stern cockpit for lounging, fishing, and hanging out. There are many fine examples still in use today.A total of 5 Motorsailers were produced during that period. These are very rare. Willard Marine does not know the whereabouts of any of these versions today.
Finally, there were a total of 6 Aft Pilothouse models produced. This is the boat that was highlighted by Robert Beebe in Voyaging Under Power (1st ed.) on page 71. This version is particularly sought after in the resale market. They generally command the highest resale prices of all the versions.
Willard 40: From WBO #218:
The Vega 40 was introduced in 1973 as a larger replacement for the Vega 36. The layout is somewhat similar to the Vega 36 layout, with the addition of a second stateroom and two heads. This boat was in production for 4 years until 1977. 11 boats were built in three versions - Nomad, Voyager, and Motorsailer.
The Vega 40 Nomad is a 'sedan' style version with flybridge above on the boat deck. The saloon is a 'widebody' design, extending full beam. 3 boats were built.
The Vega 40 Voyager is a 'raised pilothouse' boat. There is no flybridge in this design. 2 boats were built.
There was only one Vega 40 Motorsailer built. This boat was custom built for Bill Tighe, one of the original founders of Willard Marine. Bill has since passed away. His boat was recently sold in San Diego and we believe the boat was taken to Texas.
An additional 5 boats were built as 'hull only'. Most of these boats were taken to Mexico and finished out for fishing along the Mexican coast.
Willard 40 Trawler Yacht
The 'new' Willard 40 was introduced in 1977 and continues in production today. This model is very similar to the Vega 40 except that the superstructure is solid fiberglass produced from a mold and the saloon is no longer 'wide body, but includes side deck walkarounds. 18 boats have been launched since the introduction. Two versions are produced, Flybridge Sedan and Pilothouse.
The W40FS is a 'flybridge sedan' style. This version is the 'new' Vega 40 Nomad model with many updated features. 13 hulls have been launched.
The W40PH is the 'pilothouse' design. This version replaced the Vega 40 Voyager model. 4 boats have been produced.
- The Willard Register page contains a complete list of all of the hulls built.
- Summary Page of Willard Models (pdf)
