Classic yacht Altricia damaged by arson attack

Altricia heat damage

A restored classic yacht which was a feature boat at this year’s London Boat Show is back under the care of Mylor Yacht Harbour’s marine team after suffering fire damage.

The 50-year-old McGruer 8m cruiser-racer Altricia, was previously overhauled by the master shipwrights who completed a painstaking three-year restoration.

Altricia sea trials. Credit: Hugh Hastings

Altricia attracted thousands of visitors from across the world during the 10-day show at ExCeL London in January – drawn by her classic lines, gleaming mahogany finish, shining stainless steel and state-of-the-art equipment.

After the show, her owner Peter Methven OBE placed her in storage near his home base in Gloucestershire – but police have confirmed the adjacent hay-barn was set alight in an arson attack and consequently she suffered serious heat damage and blistering to her starboard side.

Peter said: ‘It was all very distressing, especially after all the time and work which I and the fantastic Mylor team put into restoring this beautiful boat, that she should be the victim of mindless vandals who, the police believe, will almost certainly never be caught.

‘Altricia has been fully surveyed since the fire – and the main thing now is that the experts at Mylor Yacht Harbour know her so well and they know exactly what needs to be done to bring her back to the perfect state she was in for the boat show.’

Altricia at the London Boat Show 2016

Since returning to Mylor Yacht Harbour the marine team have removed all the varnish from Altricia’s starboard side, coach-roof and trunking – of which they had applied eight layers just last year.

They have repaired severe damage to her topside planking, the varnish is being re-applied and the cracked starboard windows replaced so that once again she is nearing her original immaculate condition.

Marine team project manager Henry Goldsmith said: ‘This has been a real shame for Peter and our team who have invested so much energy into Altricia and her restoration.

‘Peter certainly hoped to be sailing her in the waters off Mylor this summer and thanks to the work we’ve been putting into this second restoration – he very soon will be!’