John Hacker, a renowned designer of runabouts in the first half of the 1900s, crafted designs that garnered attention for their innovation. The genesis of Adieu dates back to the pre-WWII era when John L. Hacker sketched rough outlines on his drawing board. Fast forward several decades, and Frederick Ford, a Naval Architect from Harbor Springs, Michigan, stumbled upon Hacker’s unfinished vision. In 1988, Ford, along with two other businessmen, approached Van Dam to construct individual replicas, upholding the Hacker design legacy of combining speed and beauty.

However, the construction of Adieu deviated significantly from Hacker’s original vision. Van Dam’s contemporary building techniques ensured a lightweight yet substantially stronger and more rigid boat than what could have been achieved in the early 1900s. The meticulously selected wood was skillfully fashioned by Van Dam craftsmen, resulting in a boat that stands unparalleled in craftsmanship and detail.

Adieu and two sister-ships (Flicker and Pretty Pattie ) were custom built for discriminating yachtsmen who appreciate the aura that only a wood boat can provide.