A slim, elegant 60-footer slips through the waves of the Mediterranean Sea near the town of Lavagna, home to Italy’s renowned Sangermani shipyard, where the

motoryacht received a comprehensive refit in 2022. The vessel is Sally, and even from a distance, her lines recall Modernism design principles from the 1940s and 1950s, making her stand out from every other boat in her vicinity.

Sally is a 1959 build from the vaunted Burger Boat Company of Manitowoc, Wisconsin—the second-oldest builder of sail and power yachts in the nation. Founded by Henry B. Burger II around 1900, the company has a long and illustrious career, first building boats in wood, then in steel as of 1938, and from 1952 on in aluminum. Its first motor vessel was launched in 1901, an 85-foot cruiser.

According to Ron Cleveringa, senior vice-president of the Burger Boat Company, Sally was originally named Sally H, V. She was the first of three Burgers—Sally H, VI and Sally H, VII would follow—built by the same yachtsman. Cleveringa says his records show that the steel hull was designed and built by Burger with a wooden superstructure, originally powered by twin six-cylinder GM diesels and fitted with a 15-kW Onan generator.

Sally still has the original layout that includes a spacious full-beam owner’s cabin aft with a private head, and a guest stateroom to port opposite another head for day or night use. Five steps up, there is a raised bridgedeck amidships situated over the engine room, with a large, fully enclosed helm on the centerline forward and massive windows on all sides. The bridgedeck is on a level that extends well aft under a hardtop for outdoor living, as well as along both side decks leading through wing doors to the foredeck.

Going ahead, there is a wide salon with large side and forward windows offering loads of room for comfortable furniture and low storage lockers, as well as 180-degree unobstructed views. Centerline steps lead down to the galley to port and a banquette to starboard. And in the bow, there is crew quarters with a head and separate shower.

Using Modernism tenets, the side windows are curved on the forward and trailing edges. Likewise, the large, uncluttered living spaces also support that school of design—a foreshadowing of the spacious, and naturally well-lit interiors of modern-day yachts. 

February 2025