Yachts

C001: Josephine
C002: Cetewayo
C003: Frenesi of Clynder
C004: Undina
C005: Rebecca of Vineyard Haven
C006: Whirlaway
C007: Drumbeat
C008: Whooper
C009: Thendara
C010: Zoom
C011: Foglio
C012: Vanity V
C013: Talisker Mhor
C014: Pazienza
C015: Danegeld
C016: Mikado
C017: Elona
C018: Sensa
C019: Droleen II
C020: Corrie
C021: Lotus
C022: Mingary
C023: Dirk II
C024: Sceptre
C025: Thendara
C026: Outlaw
C027: Athena
C028: Bettine
C029: John Dory
C030: Swanilda
C031: Marigold
C032: Sally of Kames
C033: Monsoon
C034: Charm of Rhu
C035: Moonspray
C036: Firebrand
C037: Gluckauf
C038: Cereste
C039: Mitzi
C040: Roar for Joy
C041: Zahir
C042: Maria Hendrika
C043: Vivette
C044: Berenice
C045: Huff of Arklow
C046: Fairlight
C047: Iolaire
C048: Sibyl of Cumae
C049: Ilderim
C050: Dorothy
C051: Zaleda
C052: Dione
C053: Clarion of Wight
C054: Safir
C055: Shantih
C056: Eveline
C057: Shuttle
C058: Windflower
C059: Erica
C060: Cygnet of London
C061: St David's Light
C062: Leonie
C063: Tar Baby
C064: Caressa
C065: Tiger C
C066: Barbican
C067: A Day at the Races
C068: Kelpie
C069: Suzalah
C070: Rubicon
C071: Infanta
C072: Rampage
C073: Halcyon
C074: Thalassa
C075: Sinbad
C076: Lutine
C077: Twilight
C078: Alera
C079: Aeolus
C080: Nightfall
C081: Mossie Estelle

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Sceptre

Sceptre is perhaps one of the most historic and infamous wooden boats in the world of yacht racing. Now owned by the "Sceptre Preservation Society", her condition is restored and cared for, her history as a British yacht secured and preserved within a dedicated partnerhship, and her future on the water a certainty.

Sceptre's story begins as a dream, in September 1956, of Hugh Goodson, a member of the Royal Yacht Squadron and Commodore of Royal Dart YC, who decided to form a syndicate of twelve to build a challenger of the America's Cup. A 165 Ton 'J' Class boat was the ideal choice of design but neither the funds nor time was available to build a J so the sponsors sought a smaller class.

The design for the challenger was selected from the work of four of the finest navel architects of the time, and, at the turn of 1957, David Boyd, James McGruer, Charles Nicholson and Arthur Robb were asked to submit their efforts for tank testing. After the New York Yacht Club delegation visit to London to thrash out details of the challenge with the RYS in the spring, tank testing was completed and the syndicate accepted the recommendation to adopt David Boyd's 'B' model on July 13.

By October Sceptre was beginning to take shape in Alexander Robertson's Yard at the head of Holy Loch. By the end of the year her 17- ton lead keel was cast, mild steel frames from Millen Brothers of Paisley arrived, backbone complete, alternative steel and oak frames assembled, spruce shelf and bilge stringer in place and mahogany hull planking being laid. In February 1958, the planking was complete, a month later the mast was in place and by April 11 Sceptre made her maiden voyage. Shipped to America on SS Alsatia for the America's Cup series commencing on the September 20, Sceptre sadly did not manage to beat Columbia who successfully defeated her challenger and thus America retained the trophy.

In 1959 Sceptre returned to the UK and was bought by Erik Maxwell who was sure she was capable of more than she demonstrated in the America's Cup race. In order to increase her potential he shortened the counter stern by 3 feet, apparently moved the mast aft to improve balance and replaced her original sails. With a professional skipper on board, Robert Bruce, Sceptre's racing performance excelled in the competitions on the Clyde, and in 1961 Yachting World Annual reported Sceptre to have come first in all her races at Torquay and Cowes in 1960.

In 1961, Sceptre was taken again to the south coast to compete with the existing pre-war Twelves, including Vanity V (BCYC: C012), and her greatly improved speed and performance lead to her overhaul of the 12 Metre, Flica II, in the 25 mile Queens Cup Race course, finishing two minutes ahead.

With the 1964 America's Cup advancing, the UK's challenger Sovereign was launched on the Clyde and trial raced against Sceptre. Her performance was disappointing, however, and she subsequently failed to take the cup, sadly finishing with a larger margin than Sceptre did six years previously.

By 1965 Sceptre was still racing, one year wining 17 races out of 20 entered. After a successful win in America where she thrashed American Eagle in 1967, she returned to the UK and, following her sale in 1972 to Mr King, underwent a number of changes and owners throughout the seventies and early eighties.

Berthon Boatyard was contracted by Mr King to convert her into a cruising boat, but his unexpected death put a halt to all work. In a stripped condition Tony Walker, a metre boat enthusiast, bought her in 1976 and after a further two years of renovation by Berthon she was transported to a shed in Lytham St Annes where Tony worked on her for 9 years. By 1986 the conversion to a stunning cruising yacht was complete, and Sceptre came to the attention of Stuart Carter and other members of the Blackpool and Fleetwood Yacht Club. In order to forestall the possibility of her sale to the USA, a consortium was formed to purchase her - 'The Sceptre Preservation Society'.

Since 1986 and the founding of the Preservation Society, Sceptre has been maintained to charter standards, sailed by a group of owners with some chartering and sail training to offset costs of ownership. In 2002 a second consortium was formed to prevent her sale to an Italian and, in 2003, further renovation and restoration has been carried out to restore her to her original design and condition.