PASSPORT YACHTS began its legacy in 1979 founded by Thom Wagner with the idea that a finely crafted semi-custom yacht could be built to the same standards as world-renowned luxury yachts, at a fraction of the cost. By engaging notable yacht designers such as Robert H. Perry who has designed seven of the Passport models over the past years, and building in yards employing only the best craftsmen, Passport Yachts has, and continues to fulfill this ideal at a price comparable to production yacht manufacturers. Today, there are over three hundred and fifty Passports cruising all over the world.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wagner Stevens Yachts is the marketing name under which Passport Yachts operates and is principally engaged in the manufacturing, importation and retail sales of their own exclusive yacht designs. The corporation, along with all of the production tooling, is privately owned and managed by Thomas Wagner, who has over thirty years of yacht building, interior layout design, racing and cruising experience. Based in Annapolis, Maryland Wagner Stevens Yachts also has offices in Fort Lauderdale, Florida and Southampton, United Kingdom.

After seven years as the East Coast dealership for Passports, and several other lines of sailing yachts, Passport Yachts East purchased the tooling rights for the Passport 40 and 47 from the retiring builder in 1989. At this time the company moved the tooling to a more modern manufacturing facility, re-designed the yachts, and utilizing modern, state-of-the-art materials and subsequent development of the “Royal Passports 49 and 50" in 1990.

Having had a close working relationship with Robert Perry, the initial designer of the Passport line, Passport Yachts East commissioned him to assist with an entirely new yacht design, the Royal Passport 44 and 47 in 1993. These two yachts would become the flagship for the new Passport line of semi-custom cruising yachts and would propel Passport Yachts into the same arena as such notable yacht manufacturers as Little Harbor, Hinckley, Morris, and Alden Yachts. These new designs, known as the Passport 44 and Passport 47, entered the marketplace in 1994 and were immediately nominated by “Cruising World” for their prestigious “Boat of the Year” award. “Cruising World” is the most widely read yachting magazine in the U.S. During that time, and due to its innovation in design and superior craftsmanship, the Royal Passport 44 and 47 have outsold the three closest competitors, combined.

Continuing on the coat tails of this success, Passport Yachts East went on to develop the Passport 41 in 1995. The 41 was nominated by Cruising World magazine in 1996 and won “Mid-Size Cruiser of the Year”.

A Semi-Custom Yacht Built Exclusively
For Each Client

Our history of building semi-custom yachts assures each client the security of knowing that the finished product will be a quality yacht of definitive standards, performance and resale value. Recognizing that everyone has their own priorities and idea of how they wish to use their yacht, we work closely with each individual to identify the characteristics that are important to them and incorporate these into the yacht’s design. The result is a yacht of distinctive detailing without the expense and speculation of a one design and without the concessions that come with a production yacht. The unique partnership between client and builder results in a proven, offshore capable, custom finished cruising yacht recognized for its tasteful design, superior quality and lasting value.
A Finely Crafted Yacht At a Fraction of the Cost

Modern materials and time proven products from around the world are used to construct a Passport. Although modern in their specification, Passports are still built by old world craftsman skilled in the art of fine yacht building. From the safety features of the custom fabricated stainless steel deck fittings to the eye pleasing, hand crafted raised panel cabin doors, and louvered cabinet doors, every detail large and small is taken into consideration. Our talented labor force enables us to customize each yacht at a reasonable cost and without compromising traits inherent to a Passport. Our interiors are not modular in construction but hand built, piece-by-piece, to create an interior that flows flawlessly from stem to stern.
The Passport Product Line

Our focus in the development of new Passport models and the continual updating of existing models is to produce superior quality, semi-custom yachts with enhanced performance and lighter, more open interiors.

The Passport 44 and 47 have evolved into the 456 and 470. Both are available as a center and aft cockpit design. The Passport 456 has a reverse step down transom with platform. The Passport 470 has a tapered counter transom with an aft deck and large aft locker. Designed as able and secure ocean voyaging yachts, they are easily handled by the typical sailing couple. The interiors are spacious, elegant, and fully customizable for long range live aboard cruising, or weekend and holiday sailing. Thirty-Eight hulls of this series have been ordered since its introduction in 1994, each of which is a unique, self-sufficient sailing yacht of outstanding character.

A Passport yacht also comes with an impressive list of standard equipment and gear such as furling mainsail and Genoa, hanked-on staysail with stowable inner forestay and running backstays, electric windlass, oversized winches, dodger and bimini, refrigeration, autopilot, battery charger and instrumentation. (Of course, since every Passport is custom finished, we can help you select any appliance, gear, or outfitting that suits you.)

Traditionally yachts are not thought of as an appreciating asset however; as with all rules there are exceptions. Passports are just such an exception. Over the last twenty years owners who have invested in their dreams of owning spectacular yachts like the Passport have not only had the joy of ownership, but have also enjoyed the benefit of owning a yacht that did not depreciate in value, and in many cases appreciated in value.

Our best advice to clients seeking a new yacht is to look carefully at older yachts by the builders you are considering to see how they age. Our best advertising is our fleet of Passports. If you are interested, we would be pleased to show you Passports 5 and 15 years old so you can see for yourself the difference that quality makes in the long run. Few other builders have the confidence to show yachts that have been out there sailing for a while compared to the factory fresh competition.

We encourage you to learn more about Passport, and perhaps visit us for a sea trial. We are confident you will find our lines tasteful, our interiors light, airy, and functional, and the entire yacht solidly constructed and richly finished. Of course none of that overshadows the fact that Passports perform responsively, are sea kindly, and most importantly, safely, in all conditions.

No matter which Passport design you choose, you will not be disappointed in the quality, value, and service we provide. A custom finished Passport begun today would be fully commissioned and ready to cruise in 10 to 12 months, so advanced planning is necessary. Alternatively, we offer in brokerage a selection of well-maintained Passport and other high quality yachts.