The yacht on which the late Sir Francis Chichester sailed solo round the world, in his record-setting 9-month-long 1967 voyage, has found new owners.

Gipsy Moth IV was put up for sale when the UK Sailing Academy (UKSA) could no longer afford to keep her in the condition to which they had restored her. She had been with the charity since 2004, when a team of sponsors including UKSA and our sister-magazine Yachting Monthly rescued her from 30-odd years in a London dry dock.

However, the yacht’s new British owners – who wish to remain anonymous – have arranged for the 16m (53ft) ketch to stay at the Academy’s base in Cowes and continue in her role of helping to train young sailors.

Jon Ely, UKSA‘s chief executive, says, ‘We are delighted that the yacht will remain based in Cowes under our care, and look forward to working with her new owners to ensure that she is preserved as a piece of the nation’s marine heritage.’

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