The Wheeler Story

A Past Anchored in History

Howard E. Wheeler Sr. founded The Wheeler Shipyard Corporation in 1910 in Brooklyn, N.Y., to build high-quality, beautifully designed yachts up to 85 feet in length. In just a few short years, Wheeler had earned a nationwide reputation for the quality and craftsmanship of its boats.

This reputation caught the eye of author, journalist and avid fisherman, Ernest Hemingway. In 1934 he commissioned Wheeler to build what became the most famous fishing boat of all time, a 38-foot Playmate named Pilar. Aboard Pilar®, Hemingway wrote “The Old Man and the Sea” and “Islands in the Stream,” innovated new fishing techniques and patrolled the Atlantic waters for German U-Boats during World War II.

As the popularity of Wheeler’s line of yachts grew, the company purchased 21 acres at Whitestone Long Island to expand the business in 1941. The added capacity came at the perfect time, enabling Wheeler to produce a fleet of ships for the Navy and Coast Guard that helped defend America during World War II.

At the height of the company’s production, more than 6,000 employees worked at the yard, including Mr. Wheeler and his five sons. The shipyard was even equipped with a stage and grandstand that could hold several thousand people for entertainment and boat launchings.

By the time Wheeler closed its doors in 1965, the Wheeler Shipyard Corporation had built more than 3,500 hulls, many of which were sea-skiffs, motor cruisers and custom yachts.

Cruising Forward to Wheeler’s Next Chapter

A fortuitous series of events led to the rebirth of the Wheeler Yacht Company. Filmmakers were working on a script about Ernest Hemingway’s life in Cuba and approached Howard Wheeler’s great grandson, Wes Wheeler, to consult on building a replica of Hemingway’s prized Pilar fishing boat. Wes provided input on the boat’s design and finishes and was so moved by the sight of the completed replica on the water he decided to design a new boat based on Pilar.

The Wheeler family is thrilled to bring the 38-foot Playmate back to life using 21st century technology and production techniques. This modern-day heirloom has an unparalleled pedigree and honors its predecessor’s style, essence and original dimensions, while upgrading the vessel with modern engineering, equipment and a more powerful engine. As a tribute to the original boat, the new design takes the same name and includes the unique additions and customizations that Hemingway made to his Playmate, Pilar. Wheeler launched this new line of commercial Pilar boats in 2020.