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Gipsy Moth IV, the legendary ketch who took Sir Francis Chichester around the world in 1966-67, has been sold to new owners and will move to Guernsey
Gipsy Moth IV was bought by two businessmen and will move from Hampshire to the Channel Islands.
The 53-foot ketch, which sailed Sir Francis Chichester around the world in 1966-67, was previously owned and operated by the Gipsy Moth Trust.
The charity closed earlier this year due to a lack of funds due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Gipsy Moth IV is now owned by Peter Tom, the president of the rugby union club Leicester Tigers and the owner of the Little Big Hotel group, Ian Walker.
The yacht will leave Buckler’s Hard in September for her new home port of St Peter Port, Guernsey, where she will be an active tourist attraction.
Gipsy Moth IV will also be made available to the Guernsey Sailing Trust for educational activities in addition to participating in the island’s sailing calendar.
Commenting on the acquisition, Peter Tom said: âThis iconic boat and her record commissioning skipper remind us of what can be achieved through skill and determination.
âI was happy to help when Ian approached me with the wonderful idea of ââbringing Gipsy Moth IV to Guernsey as an educational and tourist attraction. We are working hard to support the growth of the maritime economy in Saint-Pierre-Port and take seriously our responsibility as new custodians, âhe said.
Once the boat arrives in Guernsey, it will be serviced and repaired at Boatworks +.
Ian Walker added: “Peter and I are both passionate about nautical history and sea stories are no better or more convincing than Sir Francis Chichester’s record-breaking 1966/7 voyage.
“We are very pleased that the young sailors of the Sailing Trust have the opportunity to sail aboard Gipsy Moth IV from her new home and benefit from their hands-on experience of history,” he added.
Designed by John Illingworth and Angus Primrose and built in 1965 by Camper & Nicholsons, the Gipsy Moth IV made history in 1967, becoming the fastest small ship to sail around the world.
Continued below …
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Sir Francis’ journey inspired thousands and over 250,000 people witnessed his return to Plymouth on May 28, 1967.
After circumnavigation, Gipsy Moth IV was lifted and moored alongside Cutty sark in Greenwich, where it was left to slowly rot.
In 2003, a campaign, initiated by the Monthly Yachting editor, Paul Gelder, was launched to restore it.
The boat was bought for ‘£ 1 and a gin and tonic’ by the UKSA who then oversaw the £ 500,000 restoration carried out by its original builders, Camper & Nicholsons.
Gipsy Moth IV made a second round-the-world trip in 2005.
The yacht was purchased in 2010 by Elaine Skinner and Rob Thompson, who wanted to keep the boat in the UK “as a fundamental part of our sailing history, to make it available for people of all ages to view and navigate and inspire a new generation of young people.
The Gipsy Moth Trust was launched in July 2011 and since then more than 1,700 people have been on the yacht.
The boat has also participated in numerous races, boat shows and events, including the 2018 Golden Globe Race and OSTAR.
Gipsy Moth IV hit the market in February 2021 for £ 165,000.
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