Above: Chanticleer is a fully restored historic yacht docked by Ocean House. Guests can book it for charters, special events or stay in the four-bedroom floating suite
For a true waterfront adventure, the Chanticleer will be docked in Watch Hill Harbor this summer—just a short walk from Ocean House. Guests can stay on board the newly renovated 108-foot yacht with a captain and stewardess to handle all their needs. The luxury vessel has its own historical character, similar to the resort’s nautical-themed Morgan Suite.
The History
In 1973, philanthropist and renowned horse-racing enthusiast Ogden Phipps took delivery of a new yacht that he christened after the 1966 Horse of the Year: Buckpasser. This yacht was notable in several ways, including design and naval architecture by Jack Hargrave, who had made a name for himself in the world of fiberglass sportfishing yachts with the Hatteras Yachts brand. At 98 feet long, Buckpasser was also the largest yacht that the well-respected Burger Boat Company had ever built, and it was the first Burger to leave the shipyard with a helipad.
As with many historic yachts, this one was celebrated with its new owner, but it eventually changed hands several times. In 1986, the singer and actress Frances Langford (who had married Ralph Evinrude, of marine engine fame) bought the yacht and renamed it Chanticleer. She converted the helipad to a dining area and lengthened the vessel to 108 feet by adding a sporting cockpit. The changes suited the two primary ways she went on to use Chanticleer: fishing and entertaining.
“Langford was a huge entertainer. A lot of presidents and celebrities have been on the boat,” says Chanticleer’s project manager, Rob Saunders. “She would fish from sunrise to sunset, and even after sunset, she’d be out there fishing all night.”
After Langford died, Chanticleer passed through additional owners. And now, another admirer of historic American vessels has stepped in to build on Chanticleer’s already notable legacy.
This storied American-built yacht spent the winter undergoing a significant refit under the new owner’s direction—and this summer, for the first time, Chanticleer will become available to Ocean House guests in New England.
Modern Luxury
Chanticleer’s next chapter includes being used as a floating space that’s akin to a four-bedroom Ocean House suite or cottage. It will be docked in the heart of Watch Hill Harbor, providing access to resort amenities and personal waterfront views. Guests can also use Chanticleer as private accommodations at the dock without ever firing up the yacht’s engines, or they can cast off for customized charters around the area to see the sights. The twin 435-horsepower Caterpillars allow for a cruising speed of 10 knots and a top speed of 12 knots.
Chanticleer provides Ocean House guests with the true experience of a bygone era, whether the occasion is a family’s summer vacation or a special event such as a wedding. As just one example, Chanticleer could be used for a private rehearsal dinner afloat with family. Or the yacht could serve as the platform for a truly one-of-a-kind engagement cruise ahead of a long-weekend wedding on the main property.
“There’s something special about classic American craftsmanship. Ocean House on land and Chanticleer on the water both capture that spirit,” the new owner says.
Yacht Restoration
Chanticleer spent much of this past winter at Cracker Boy Boat Works in West Palm Beach, Fla., where the yacht underwent extensive restorative work inside and out. The exterior received new paint as well as all-new teak decking, bringing the two most visible elements of the yacht back to perfection.
Designer Kellie Burke worked closely with the owners to bring their vision to life. “Our redesign captures the relaxed American heritage, in the spirit of Burger, with lighter sea tones and rich materials—and maybe even some quiet winks to 1973.”
Inside, the guest staterooms are true to the yacht’s era, but were refreshed with paint and new wallpaper, as is often necessary on classic vessels. An entirely new master bathroom was renovated. The other bathrooms received new tile and stone, also with the intent to refresh the yacht without changing its historic accuracy. Choices of materials were made with great care, to ensure the work was restorative.
“We’re rebuilding this yacht to honor the history and craftmanship,” Saunders says. “The Chanticleer just has that feel to it. Some of the retro-mods are interesting, but they’re not real. You hop on this boat, and it’s 100 percent authentic. You can look around and see things, like some of the showers are a little shorter. It’s from back when they were built as boats, not as megayachts.”
A few invisible modern systems were included in this winter’s yard work, such as new ducting with an ultraviolet-light system for air purification—a frequently requested system on charter yachts ever since the pandemic. Rewiring was also done on the yacht, along with the installation of new Furuno and TimeZero navigation equipment at the helm.
Underwater lighting was added too, as well as era-correct cushions for the exterior lounge spaces where guests can relax with a wide view of the surroundings.
Next Chapter
Similar to the meticulous renovation of Ocean House, Chanticleer was preserved in an authentic way to capture the correct era while infusing modern touches for discerning guests.
“Pretty much everything you see, touch or feel outside is new,” Saunders explains. “All the chrome was sent out, all the 1973 original-build components; those are being chromed as original. It is an elegant floating suite that reflects the Ocean House luxury.”
Inspired Interiors
“Kellie Burke is the muscle and design expertise behind the restoration,” explains the new owner. “My intention, with her assistance, was to create a design that reflects Chanticleer’s inheritance: dignified American repose, suspended in nature and time.”
To bring the design into focus, the owner explains her inspiration:
“Materials and decorative elements were selected to honor Burger’s legacy of craftsmanship, durability and performance, while expressing those qualities with weightless radiance. The palette takes its cues from the natural world—romancing luster and endurance through fresh color, artisanal detail and tactile richness—alongside finer fixtures and ornament that preserve the clarity of air, water and salt. In dialogue with the yacht’s original wood tones and varnished finishes, the result is an interior suggestive of buried treasure under a blue sky, harmonizing jewel-like accents drawn from sea
and shore.”