Burger Boats 81 Raised Pilothouse 1972

Pre-owned

MISS WENDY is a classic raised pilothouse Burger motor yacht. Designed by noted marine architect, Weston Farmer, she epitomizes the beauty, elegance and the blue-water seaworthiness that have made Burger yachts legendary. Where most vessels of her size are considered large boats, Burgers of her era are more justifiably considered small ships. This vessel was the first Burger owned by a celebrated Palm Beach yachtsman who sailed her to Alaska and back. (The logs of that epic voyage are still on-board.) A later owner took her to the headwaters of the Mississippi.

Her Cummins T-12 naturally aspirated commercial diesels are perfectly matched for her mass (109 tons) and semi-planning hull design. Her 5040 gallons fuel capacity give this vessel trans-Atlantic range. Unusual for vessels of her era, her original owner specified commercial grade engines designed for tugboats (or yard switcher locomotives). They are believed to have been rebuilt once (after the Alaska voyage). Hours since that time are estimated to be less than 4000. The current owner reports no measurable oil usage. Total hours are considered to be barely past break-in when compared to their commercial counterparts.

Walk Through

Entering the yacht from the port or starboard boarding gates, you walk forward to the Pilot House, accessed from either side through exterior solid sliding doors with bi-fold screen doors on the interior.

Proceeding aft from the pilot house, you pass the day head and enter the spacious main salon furnished with a black sofa and two matching occasional chair with cocktail table on the port side and a TV on a hide-away lift to starboard. The aft bulkhead features an oversized window and a door on the starboard side which leads to the equally large, enclosed, air-conditioned aft deck with a large built-in sofa all the way aft and 4 chairs and a love seat surrounding a teak table. The wide swim platform is accessed by a broad straight staircase on the starboard side.

Returning to the full beam pilot house, a large built-in navigation table on the aft bulkhead is served by a 3-axis adjustable Captain’s chair on rails so that it can face forward to serve the control console. The pilothouse is paneled in teak with plenty of built-in drawers and chart storage. Forward is the full galley, the entrance to the crew’s quarters, and the elegant formal dining salon for six which provides ample drawer storage for China and cutlery.

The Flybridge is accessed by a staircase in the pilothouse on the starboard side. The Flybridge helm has complete steering with full controls and navigational equipment, two helm chairs with a bench seat, a mast in the center, then a wet bar and Jenn-Air grill. This is all surrounded by an exceptionally large u-shaped seating area extending down the port side and across the entire beam. Behind this seating is the davit and tender.

 Accommodations:

MISS WENDY sleeps 6 owners/guests in three separate staterooms, each with its own private head and shower. The full beam master stateroom is all the way aft and features a king-size, forward-facing berth on the center line. A large head and stall shower is forward on the starboard side along with twin sinks. Two guest staterooms are forward, one with a queen berth and the other twin berths, each with ensuite heads & shower. Forward of the master, a companionway with a linen closet and concealed Miele washer and dryer connects to the guest staterooms. The crews’ quarters are all the way forward in the yacht and include a private Captain’s berth, two crew berths, and one head and shower.

Pilothouse:

The Pilothouse is amidship and raised just above the main deck for better visibility. There are two side doors with bi-fold screens that lead to the full walk around teak side decks. The wood paneling is teak and features overhead flush mount electronics as well as two larger electronic monitors mounted to the helm surface. Highlights include full engine gauges, single-lever Micro-Commander controls for the engines, a large classic teak and stainless-steel ship’s wheel, bow thruster control, and a jog steering control. The front windows have three large wipers for visibility. A new exterior windshield cover provides protection when in port.

Flybridge & Boat Deck:

The Flybridge is accessed from the pilothouse on the starboard side via a staircase. The Flybridge helm is fully equipped to manage the yacht with all navigation equipment and controls. In the center of the bridge is the radar and electronics mast which is hinged and can be lowered if required for clearance. Forward of the masts are two helm chairs and port and starboard bench seats with storage. Starboard of the mast is a built-in cabinet that houses a top-accessed Jenn-aire grill with sink and water, and plenty of storage. Further aft is a large U-shaped seating area which has abundant storage beneath. The boat deck is aft and features a low-profile Marquip davit, chocks, and a hard bottom Nautica inflatable dinghy with 50 hp Honda outboard.

Vessel is equipped with port and starboard wing control stations, including joystick rudder controls, bow thruster joysticks, throttles (2017) and emergency engine shut offs.

Deck & Hull Equipment:

Bottom painted in September 2024

Teak decks

Swim platform

Ideal stern windlass

Access to lazarette through watertight door on swim platform

Teak and stainless-steel hand railings

Ideal H7J Hydraulic anchor windlass (4000 lbs. capacity)

220 lb. Forsfjord anchor & thru deck hawse

Anchor chain wash system

Boson’s lockers port & starboard side

Navigation lights

9 step Marquip Tide Ride boarding ladder with teak rails

Bimini top and aft sunshade

Two helm chairs, FB

Radar mast

Low profile Nautical Structures 3000 lb. davit & chocks

15’ Nautica Widebody RIB (retubed 2018) w/50 hp Honda outboard (2016)

Two Carlisle & Finch search lights

Kahlenberg air horns

80-gallon black water tank

50-gallon grey water tank with sump pump

Windshield wipers and washers

8-person life raft (2013)