John Hacker was a renowned designer of runabouts in the first half of the 1900s. His distinctive designs were ahead of their time. “Adieu,” originally conceived by Hacker before WWII, remained a rough sketch until discovered and finished years later by naval architect, Frederick Ford Jr. in Harbor Springs, Michigan. In 1988, Ford and two partners approached Van Dam to build them each a copy of the boat while staying true to Hacker’s legacy of speed and elegance.

By incorporating contemporary cold-molded construction methods, Van Dam ensures the creation of a vessel that remains lightweight, yet substantially sturdier and more resilient than anything feasible in the early 1900s. The hand selected wood was expertly fashioned by Van Dam craftsmen resulting in a boat whose craftsmanship and intricate detailing are unparalleled.