Classic Yacht Buckpasser for Sale, With Legendary Stories Beneath Her Decks

Nearly 40 years ago, a well-known American financier and racehorse owner took delivery of what was then an extraordinary custom yacht. The classic yacht Buckpasser remains extraordinary to this day, too. Since she’s currently for sale, she presents the opportunity to own a piece of history with quite an impressive backstory.

The Japanese shipyard Hitachi Zosen launched this 120-footer (36.6-meter) in 1985. It was an era in which yachts two-thirds her length elicited double takes. Further making yachting aficionados sit up and take closer notice, Buckpasser bore styling and naval architecture by Jack Hargrave. A legendary figure, Hargrave was without question the top designer in the United States for decades. His capabilities earned him tremendous respect in Europe and Asia as well.

Hitachi Zosen and Hargrave came together to create Buckpasser with the owner, Ogden Phipps, himself a legendary figure. An American who split time between New York and Florida, Phipps earned success as a stockbroker and as the owner and breeder of racehorses. In fact, one of his most famous horses was Buckpasser, a thoroughbred which won 15 consecutive races in the 1960s. Not surprisingly, Phipps named a few yachts after the horse, this one included. Further not surprisingly, he commissioned the yacht so that he could enjoy traveling and other pursuits. Phipps particularly liked fishing and hunting, so the 120-footer was his floating home for those trips.

As such, the yacht Buckpasser had some special features. Firstly, she had a helicopter landing area. This made her one of the earliest pleasure vessels to have a helipad. It additionally made her one of the smallest, a fact that remains true to this day. Secondly, because Phipps enjoyed fishing, he owned a custom Merritt sportfisherman—which he often towed behind the 120-footer.

the Hitachi Zosen classic yacht Buckpasser saloon

Just as Phipps did, the subsequent owners (Phipps died in 2002) have kept the classic yacht Buckpasser in prime condition. She remains capable of cruising long distances, with a range exceeding 4,000 nautical miles, for instance. She also has abundant stowage and provisioning space for spending long periods away from shore. Although the helideck doesn’t serve that purpose anymore, it does provide more tender and toy space than many larger yachts offer. Two cranes, specifically with 9,000-pound and 5,000-pound capacities, are in place to launch and retrieve the toys.

Finally, regular maintenance and refurbishments have kept the 120-footer classically appealing yet in keeping with modern needs. For instance, craftspeople stripped and revarnished the original teak interior in recent years. New custom paneling and cabinetry went into the saloon, too, complementing the time-honored looks. It’s easy to imagine guests gathering for good conversations here and enjoying cocktails in the adjoining enclosed aft deck, before retiring to the four staterooms below. New wiring and plumbing, plus new exterior paint are all pluses as well.

the Hitachi Zosen classic yacht Buckpasser dining room

The asking price is $2.65 million, via the central agency of Edmiston. Note, too, that since the yacht recently contributed to AMIkids, she is available instead for a three-year lease, with interest-free terms and the option to buy.

Edmiston edmiston.com