HISTORY

The classic, distinguished 12 Meter Gleam is a Vintage division America’s Cup yacht that was designed by the famous naval architect Clinton Crane. Mr. Crane designed Gleam originally to be his private yacht and, it is said, with the intent of reviving the 12 Meter class. Gleam was built in 1937 by the famous Henry B. Nevins Yacht Yard in City Island, New York and is constructed of mahogany and cedar on oak frames. She was loaned in her early years to such legendary yachtsmen as Briggs Cunningham, Lee Loomis and Harold Vanderbilt, who grew so fond of Gleam that they then built their own 12 Meter yachts to join the class.

Gleam has a storied racing career that began in 1937 when she won the Astor Cup (NYYC). She was also the trial horse for Vim and Sceptre in the 1958 America’s Cup and for Gretel in the 1962 America’s Cup. Gleam was brought to Newport, Rhode Island in 1975 by Robert Tiedemann, who gave her a full restoration, including a new engine, and began to offer her for charter. Mr. Teidemann has often been credited for contributing to the rebirth of the 12 Meter fleet in Newport, Rhode Island as we know and enjoy it today. After his death, his widow Elizabeth Tiedemann DuPont continued to charter the legendary Gleam out of Newport.

In 2020, Gleam was purchased by Andy Tyska of Bristol Marine and began to undergo another major restoration at Bristol Marine’s Boothbay Harbor (Maine) Shipyard. Today, Gleam is available for charter through 12 Meter Yacht Charters in Newport, Rhode Island, and also continues her esteemed racing career. In 2021, Gleam won her class in the Camden Classics Cup (Camden, Maine), where she also had the fastest time over the course and was named the Overall Winner. We are very happy to have Gleam in our fleet!

SPECIFICATIONS:

LOA – 67’9”
LWL – 44’5”
Beam – 12’
Draft – 8’10”
Displacement – 53,000 lbs
Year Built – 1937
Designer – Clinton Crane
Builder – Henry B. Nevins Yacht Yard, City Island, NY

Please contact 12 Meter Yacht Charters for more information about chartering Gleam and our customized yacht charters.