Bloodhound was built in 1936 by Camper and Nicholson. The original owner, Ike Bell, an American, won several races with her, including the 1939 Fastnet race. After several owners she was bought by the Queen and Prince Philip. Prince Philip loved the boat and Prince Charles and Princess Anne learned to sail on her in the nine years the British Royal Family owned her. The 63 ft vessel is legendary in sailing circles because with her sleek lines and speed she was successful in her class right into the late 1960’s.

Yacht surveyor Tony McGrail has lovingly restored Bloodhound over 4 years without sparing expense. McGrail, of Christchurch, Dorset, had to remortgage his house and take out numerous bank loans to pay for Bloodhound’s restoration. He even managed to find imported Honduras Mahogany to repanel the cabins. Bloodhound is currently morred in Dorset Poole, with a price tag of £1.5million. The current owner regrets that he does not have the means to keep the yacht. He hopes that the yacht would become a public asset, but fully expects that it will be sold to a private owner.

For more on this story and some great pictures visit the Daily Mail.