Vendée, her history

The Gentleman’s Choice, The Lady’s Delight: The Story Behind Our 1929 Matthews 38ft Cruiser

There is a distinct magic that happens when a boat ceases to be just a vessel and becomes a time machine. When you step aboard Vendée, our beautifully restored 1929 38ft Matthews cruiser, you aren’t just leaving the Yorktown docks—you are stepping straight into the golden age of American yachting.

To truly appreciate the experience of cruising on Vendée, you have to understand the fascinating history of the company that built her, and a brilliant 1920s marketing campaign that changed how families spent their time on the water.

The "Ford Motor Company" of Luxury Yachting

Founded by Scott J. Matthews in the late 1890s, the Matthews Boat Company of Port Clinton, Ohio, was already legendary by the time the roaring twenties arrived. Matthews was a relentless innovator. In 1912, a 35-foot Matthews named Detroit made history as the very first motorboat to cross the Atlantic Ocean on gasoline power.

Power & Motoryacht

But in 1924, Scott Matthews did something revolutionary: he built the boating industry’s very first standardized production line.

Power & Motoryacht

Before this, high-end cabin cruisers were exclusively custom-built toys for billionaires like the Vanderbilts or Astors. By standardizing the hulls—especially their iconic 38-foot and 46-foot models—Matthews managed to deliver the pinnacle of heavy-duty, master-crafted mahogany luxury at a price point accessible to successful doctors, lawyers, and entrepreneurs. They became known as the quiet, undisputed aristocracy of the water.

The Marketing Masterstroke: "A Gentleman and His Lady"

In the late 1920s, most boat advertisements focused strictly on engine horsepower, hull construction, and nautical specs. Matthews took a completely different, highly sophisticated approach. They began marketing the 38-foot cruiser directly to the modern couple, framing it as the ultimate luxury home away from home.

The vintage advertisements pitched the 38-foot model as the perfect balance for "the gentleman and his lady."

   ┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
   │                  THE MATTHEWS 38' CRUISER               │
   │       "Chosen by the Gentleman... Adored by his Lady"   │
   ├────────────────────────────┬────────────────────────────┤
   │       FOR THE GENTLEMAN    │        FOR THE LADY        │
   │  • Heavy-duty offshore hull│  • Total privacy layout     │
   │  • Deep-sea seaworthiness  │  • Dual-cabin separation   │
   │  • Command bridge steering │  • Gourmet galley & sink   │
   └────────────────────────────┴────────────────────────────┘

The campaign spoke directly to the lifestyle of the era:

• For the Gentleman: It promised a rugged, deep-hulled, seaworthy vessel that could handle rough coastal waters with absolute safety and masculine command.

• For his Lady: It promised unmatched elegance, interior comforts, and sophisticated hosting capabilities.

The Layout That Defined an Era

What made the 1929 Matthews 38 so distinct—and what makes Vendée so rare today—was an architectural layout designed around ultimate comfort and privacy.

The Double-Cabin Separation

While other boats of the era crammed everyone into a single open space, the Matthews featured two separate cabin living areas. This dual-cabin design meant a couple could host friends for a weekend cruise, or bring along a captain, while maintaining complete personal privacy. It featured two separate sleeping quarters, multiple sinks, and a fully equipped galley that allowed for elegant entertaining miles away from the nearest shore.

The Secret Feature: The Bow Love Seat

But perhaps the most romantic and unique design element of the 1929 model was built directly into the exterior woodwork. On the very front deck of the boat, gracefully integrated into the forward cabin trunk, Matthews installed a custom built-in love seat.

In an era where proper etiquette was everything, this forward-facing seat offered a private, wind-swept escape. It was designed specifically for a gentleman and his lady to sit side-by-side, entirely away from the cockpit and the driver, to watch the shoreline unfold ahead of them.

Experience the Legacy Aboard Vendée

When you join us on the Yorktown waterfront, you are stepping onto a living piece of that 1929 legacy. As you glide along the historic shoreline surrounded by polished mahogany, gleaming brass, and classic craftsmanship, it is easy to see why this boat stole the hearts of coastal society nearly a century ago.

Whether you are enjoying a quiet morning coffee or sipping champagne as the twilight sets in, you are sharing the exact same view, from the exact same layout, that defined the golden age of yachting.

Brochure from previous model 1928

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