Gipsy Moth IV - the new life of the legend

The Gipsy Moth IV, Sir Francis Chichester's legendary ketch, has been sold to new owners and will move to Guernsey.

The yacht was bought by two businessmen and will soon be transported from Hampshire to the Channel Islands.

What's next for Gipsy Moth IV?

The 53-foot ketch that Sir Francis Chichester traveled the world with in 1966-67. It was previously owned and operated by the Gipsy Moth Trust.

The Gipsy Moth Trust closed earlier this year due to a lack of funds. This happened due to the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent crisis.

Gipsy Moth IV is now owned by Peter Tom. He is the chairman of the Leicester Tigers rugby club and owner of the Little Big Hotel group to Ian Walker.

The yacht will leave Buckler's Hard in September for her new home port. This port, St Peter Port, Guernsey, will become the new boat home. The yacht's adventures will not end as she will be an active tourist attraction.

The boat will also be provided by the Guernsey Sailing Trust for educational activities. This will be in addition to participating in sailing events.

Buying Gipsy Moth IV

Commenting on the purchase, Peter Tom said: “This iconic boat and its legendary captain remind us of what can be achieved with skill and determination.

I was happy to help when Ian came up to me with the brilliant idea of bringing Gipsy Moth IV to Guernsey. He suggested using it as an educational and tourism facility. 

We are working hard to support the growth of the port of Saint Peter's maritime economy. And we take our purchase very seriously. We are almost literally its new keepers and its future depends on us, ”he stressed.

In addition, once the boat arrives in Guernsey, it will undergo maintenance and repairs at Boatworks +.

Ian Walker added: “Peter and I are passionate about maritime history. And the most compelling of these stories is Sir Francis Chichester's record voyage of 1966-1967. At least for us.

By the way, we are very pleased that young sailors will have the opportunity to sail on a legendary yacht from her new home. What is more important is to benefit from your practical experience, ”he added.

Restoration

Gipsy Moth IV was raised from the water in Greenwich before restoration began. The restoration will cost £ 500,000.

Sir Francis's travel has inspired thousands of people. More than 250,000 people witnessed his return to Plymouth on May 28, 1967.

After sailing around the world, the yacht was lifted and moored next to Cutty Sark in Greenwich. Alas, the legend was simply left to rot.

In 2003, at the initiative of then Yachting Monthly editor Paul Gelder, a campaign was launched to rebuild it.

There is gunpowder in the flasks ...

The Gipsy Moth IV completed its second circumnavigation of the world in 2005.

The yacht was sold in 2010 by Elaine Skinner and Rob Thompson. They wanted the boat to remain in the UK. 

According to them, the boat has been “an important part of our sailing history to make it accessible to people of all ages to see and sail, and to inspire new things. generation of youth ".

By the way, the Gipsy Moth Trust was founded in July 2011, and since then more than 1,700 people have boarded the yacht.

The boat, however, has also participated in numerous races, exhibitions and events, including the Golden Globe Race 2018 and OSTAR.

The Gipsy Moth IV went up for sale in February 2021 for £ 165,000.

07.09.2021