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.

Sceptre in 2019
Sceptre has spent this winter in Poole Quay Boat Haven, at the western end of the Poole town quay.  Having carried out major works over four of the last five winters, we were planning to conduct only minor works this time, however we have found that one of the spreaders needs to be replaced which has entailed the removal of the mast - see the video below!  

Sceptre is currently in Berthons at Lymington - if you'd like to volunteer to help with the antifouling and other tasks, we'd love you to Get Involved!

​We are then looking forward to an active sailing and racing summer, entering the Falmouth Classics (14-16 June), the Round The Island Race (Saturday 29 June), and the British Classic Yacht Club's Classic Week (13-20 July) - contact us if you'd be interested in chartering Sceptre for one of these events.  
Sceptre's mast being removed at Allspars, Swanwick, April 2019
Interested in chartering Sceptre?  
Sceptre can be chartered for any of the events mentioned above, or for weekends during the summer.  For more information, please see our Charter Page, and contact us for more information.
 
Interested in owning a share of Sceptre?  
We would love to hear from anyone interested in joining our established group of enthusiasts to maintain, improve and enjoy sailing this beautiful yacht - for more information, see our Ownership page, or get in touch with us.

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

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

Tony Walker
We are sorry to record the death on 23rd December 2018 of Tony Walker, who singlehandedly turned Sceptre into the fine cruising yacht she is today.  All of us who have enjoyed sailing on her over the last 30 years owe him a great debt of gratitude.  His obituary can be seen here, and an account of his project to rescue Sceptre can be seen on our History pages.
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The opening of the Fairmile Building, February 2018: David Boyd Jnr and Denis Jackson with members of SPS, at Sceptre's grinder (photo: Stuart Nimmo Photography/HIE)
Read more...

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 in June 2016... see News 
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Denis Jackson at the wheel, June 2016