The Westport 112: Three Generations of an American Icon
Renderings by Peter Glahn
Blog by Peter Glahn & Andrew Troyer
An American Icon in the Making
Arguably, no production yacht over 100 feet has ever achieved the enduring success of the Westport 112. Introduced in the mid-1990s and built entirely in the United States, this American-made motor yacht remained a cornerstone of the Westport lineup for nearly three decades. With more than 70 hulls launched, making it one of the most prolific large production yachts ever built, the Westport 112 became a true icon of American super yacht building.
Rather than chasing fleeting trends or replacing the model every few years, Westport refined it steadily. The 112 evolved through three distinct generations, each reflecting advances in technology, design preferences, and owner expectations while preserving the core qualities that defined its success: exceptional Pacific Northwest craftsmanship, a practical shallow draft hull ideal for the Bahamas and coastal cruising, efficient high-cruise speeds, and thoughtful, family oriented interior volumes.
Looking at these generations side by side reveals why the Westport 112 remained relevant for so long, and why even a proven American platform eventually gave way to something new.
Why the Westport 112 Became a Benchmark
Several defining characteristics set the Westport 112 apart and explain its remarkable production run:
- Shallow draft perfectly suited to the Bahamas and skinny-water cruising
- Exceptional Pacific Northwest craftsmanship—the hallmark of true American-built quality
- High cruise speeds that allow owners to relocate quickly and efficiently
- The signature country kitchen, designed so families can gather and spend time together just as they would at home
- Full-beam master stateroom offering true luxury volume
- Full-beam salon that delivers the sense of space typically found on much larger yachts
These features, combined with reliable performance and Westport’s reputation for solid construction, made the 112 one of the most successful American-made yachts in its size range.
Generation I: The Original (1994–early 2000s)
The Westport 112 series began in 1994 with naval architecture by Jack Sarin and exterior design by Gregory C. Marshall. The original design established the platform’s enduring DNA: robust composite construction, a semi-displacement hull, raised pilothouse, shallow draft, and comfortable cruising speeds in the low 20-knot range.
Below deck, four guest staterooms, including a full-beam master, created a practical and private arrangement. Forward on the main deck, the large country kitchen became one of the model’s most beloved features. A full-beam, wide body salon, formal dining area, and protected aft deck delivered impressive usable volume within 112 feet.
One of the early examples, the 1995 Westport 112 Lady Melia (hull #7606), helped establish the model’s reputation for solid American engineering and liveaboard comfort. The formula worked, and Westport continued to develop it.
Generation II: Refining the Formula (2002 onward)
In 2002, Westport introduced the first major visual update. The superstructure was substantially restyled while the proven hull form remained largely unchanged, aside from a subtle modification to the sheer forward. The result was cleaner and more contemporary without sacrificing the balanced proportions of the original.
Throughout the long Generation II production run, Westport continued to enhance the platform with practical upgrades, including side boarding doors, MSD systems, and passarelles on many examples. These refinements kept the 112 competitive and relevant long after many contemporary designs had left production.
Generation III: A Contemporary Evolution
By the late 2010s, yacht design aesthetics and technology had advanced significantly. Westport responded with the most substantial visual transformation of the model’s life.
Lyons Pride became the first public example of Generation III, shown in 2018. Larger areas of dark glazing, expanded hull and stateroom windows, and a cleaner, more modern superstructure updated the yacht’s appearance while retaining the familiar raised-pilothouse profile and proven hull.
Generation III also introduced meaningful performance and comfort upgrades. Specialized wake adapted running gear, precision engineered propellers, struts, and related components tuned to the hull’s hydrodynamic wake profile, optimized efficiency, speed, and onboard comfort. Fin stabilizers paired with Seakeeper gyro stabilization further improved stability both underway and at rest.
Nearly twenty-five years after the first 112 launched, the relationship between the original and Generation III remained clear: the same American built platform, thoughtfully evolved for a new era.
Why Production of the 112 Ultimately Ended
After nearly three decades, the Westport 112 reached the practical limits of its original platform. Increasingly stringent emissions regulations required Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) systems and associated urea tanks. These large components simply could not be packaged effectively within the existing 112 engineering envelope.
Westport used this moment to gather extensive owner feedback and develop the next chapter of the lineup: the all-new Westport 117.
The Westport 117: The Logical Next Step
Development of the Westport 117 began in 2021, with the first hull launched in late 2024. While only five feet longer on paper, the 117 represents a far more significant evolution.
Built on an entirely new hull designed from the outset to accommodate modern SCR systems and emissions requirements, the 117 incorporates years of real-world owner input. Key advances include five guest staterooms with a main-deck master, larger expanses of glass, expanded exterior living areas, and a beach club at the stern. Performance remains familiar and efficient, with a reported 20-knot cruise and 24-knot top speed.
The raised-pilothouse profile, balanced proportions, and American-built character are unmistakably Westport. The 117 is not a stretched 112 or a fourth generation of the same yacht, it is a new platform created because the 112 had finally reached the limits of practical evolution.
Nearly Three Decades of Deliberate Progress
The longevity of the Westport 112 stands as a testament to thoughtful American yacht building. Generation I established a highly successful platform. Generation II refined it through the majority of its production life. Generation III brought contemporary styling and technology without abandoning the qualities that made the yacht an icon.
When engineering requirements and evolving owner expectations demanded more space and capability, Westport responded with the 117, carrying the same design philosophy forward on a modern foundation.
After nearly thirty years and more than 70 hulls, the Westport 112 remains one of the most successful large production motor yachts ever built in the United States. Its story is not simply one of longevity, but of steady, purposeful evolution, an American icon that earned its place in the global yachting landscape.
For expert advisors in the Westport Yacht market, contact Troyer Yachts today!
Andrew Troyer – Owner and Yacht Broker at Troyer Yachts
Phone: +1 (954) 732-0339
Email: andrew.troyer@troyeryachts.com
Peter Glahn – Yacht Broker at Troyer Yachts, Artist, and Captain
Phone: +1 (231) 330-1628
Email: peter.glahn@troyeryachts.com
