The sailing industry, the cruising community and the Annapolis sailing scene lost one of its founding members when Thom Wagner passed away in September. Thom was the founder of Passport Yachts and may have the honor of seeing more of his handsome, sensible boats cross oceans and make circumnavigations than just about any other.
He started Passport in 1981 at the height of the sailing boom that swept the country in those decades. He worked with designers like Bob Perry to build true oceangoing cruising boats that were handsome and stylish but never trendy.
He and his team insisted on safety and seakeeping first, easy of handling second and superb build-quality at the end. It is not surprising that Passport Yachts, even after decades of use and thousands of sea miles, command brokerage prices close to or above the original purchase price.
Over the years the models available grew larger and more elegant. Yet, even at 56 feet they were and are essentially “couples boats” intended for family adventures at sea. I’ve sailed all over the world and can attest that no matter the landfall you make you are more than likely to see Passports in the anchorage.
Of course, Thom was more than a boat builder although that is how most of knew him. But he was a family man, married to Nancy for 55 years, and the proud father of Sienna. I know Thom professionally but he was also a friend as well.
We spent many an hour sailing new boats on the Chesapeake Bay, or walking the docks early in the morning of countless Annapolis Sailboat shows. He was wry and always good company. And. Always a gentleman to work with as we helped his promote his brand and new boats.
It is somewhat apt that this short remembrance will come out on Thursday, October 15 just as the Annapolis Sailboat Show is opening because the showi s full of Thom’s friends, Passport owners, and sailing industry professionals he worked with for some many decades. We will miss his smiling face.
