What is Sceptre?

Sceptre, the British challenger for the America’s Cup in 1958, is believed to be the only UK challenger still sailing in British waters.  Built for the Royal Yacht Squadron to challenge for the 17th America’s Cup, she has a colourful history from her early racing days to today, with members of the Sceptre Preservation Society nurturing her future and ensuring that she remains racing and cruising on the seas off the United Kingdom coastline.
This traditional 12-metre classic yacht offers a unique and exciting experience in open sea sailing.

Interested in chartering Sceptre?  
We will have a number of dates available during 2015  - for more information...

Interested in owning a share of Sceptre?  
We are currently looking for new members to join an established group of enthusiasts to maintain, improve and enjoy sailing this beautiful yacht -  for more information...

How Sceptre has changed over the years

Many changes were made to convert Sceptre from a fantastic racing yacht to a stunning cruising yacht, and work has carried on over the years to maintain and improve her, to preserve her for future generations.  
We are delighted that Tony Walker, who took on the enormous task of converting Sceptre in the 1970s-80s, has now written up a fascinating account of the 9-year project, which, following its completion, resulted in the formation of the Sceptre Preservation Society.
See what major works the Sceptre Preservation Society has carried out over the last few years...
(page under development)

Sceptre videos
A great day's sail up the Sound of Jura
(with thanks to Runrig for the music)
Back to Classics: hear why Sceptre is such a special boat

Sceptre feature article -  
'Classic Boat' magazine

Find out why journalist Nigel Sharp thought a trip on Sceptre was "one of the sails of my life"

National Historic Ships

In 2012 Sceptre was registered as a National Historic Vessel, in recognition of her place in British sailing history.

News

After a short, sunny and scenic few weeks on the Clyde, Sceptre has made her way back down to Fleetwood for the winter. We had some spectacular days' sailing up and down the Kyles of Bute, round Arran, up Loch Long and Loch Fyne, making the most of a beautiful month on the water.  Read more...
Picture
Sailing up the Kyles of Bute (Zak Harrison)

Share your Sceptre memories

Do you have a story involving Sceptre? We'd love to build a collection of memories, so if you have one to share, send us your story - and read those already collected here (new story shared today!)

2014: a busy year

Sceptre was on the South Coast for the early part of the season, to take part in the Round the Island Race, and to enjoy a number of Members' Cruises and a charter weekends to Brittany and along the Devon coast.   She then sailed up to the Clyde, to make the most of some late summer sailing around the lochs and islands of Argyll. In October she arrived back in Fleetwood (near Blackpool) for regular maintenance and other projects, over the winter months.