The British America's Cup Challenger

Built for the Royal Yacht Squadron to challenge for the 17th America’s Cup 1958

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?
Sceptre is spending the summer of 2017 in Gloucester Docks, after an extensive programme of works carried out by T Nielsen & Co, but we hope to welcome you and your guests aboard during 2018 - 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

Sceptre was designed and built for the America's Cup series in 1958 - this fascinating film (Birth of a Challenger, held by the National Library of Scotland) shows her being designed by David Boyd and built in Alexander Robertson's yard in Holy Loch, her launch in April 1958, sea trials against Evaine on the Solent, and her preparations for the challenge in Newport, RI.

Click image to see film

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.

Conversion

See what major works the Sceptre Preservation Society has carried out over the last few years...

Major Works

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

Sceptre has spent an extended winter period at Tommi Nielsen's in Gloucester Docks, for work on her after end, deckhouse roof and deck. This is now complete and Members will be able to finalise other works during the warmer (dryer?) summer months.

In the meantime, we have been indulging in a trip down memory lane, with a small exhibition in Sandbank (where Sceptre was built) in the company of two 1958 America's Cup crew members

David Boyd Jnr and Denis Jackson with members of SPS, at Sceptre's grinder (photo: Stuart Nimmo Photography/HIE)

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

America's Cup Memories

We were delighted to welcome 1958 America's Cup crew member Denis Jackson back to Sceptre earlier this summer... see News

Denis Jackson at the wheel, June 2016