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BROKER’S COMMENTS

BLOODHOUND……….. It is impossible to question the pedigree of this yacht, owned by the British Royal family and designed by Charles E. Nicholson. In recent years perhaps better known as the yacht that Prince Charles and Princess Anne learnt to sail on than for her enviable pre-war racing record that culminated in victory in the 1937 Fastnet race.

BLOODHOUND has been successfully brought back to life after an impressive 3 year re-build; her structure, now arguably stronger than the day she was first launched. Just as Nicholson had intended, this yacht is once again ready to cruise and race again. It is, in fact, the genius of the man's original design, combining the attributes of the more delicate 12 Metre class with the more rugged characteristics of an offshore boat that has not only resulted in such a long career, but also make BLOODHOUND the very usable and exciting classic yacht she is today.


HISTORY

Her history is extremely well documented until 1969 when her new owner, Mr Bernard Cook, sailed his new acquisition proudly into Poole harbour where over the next two decades she remained part of the Poole and Solent yachting scene, only to lapse into neglect when her owner died. The yacht however remained in the family and was later re-commissioned by his son Robert who during the nineties actively campaigned her in both UK and more recently Mediterranean waters before settling in Guernsey following her appearance in the 2000 Americas Cup series held in the Solent. Bloodhound then has in many ways been fortunate to have three long term owners throughout her life, but we should now examine her ownerships in more detail.

1936
Built in June 1936 (yard number 438) for Mr Ike Bell who sold Bloodhound's predecessor and sister ship Foxhound after one seasons sailing to a Frenchman who “made an offer he could not refuse”. The American Mr Bell, as well as being a yacht owner / racer, he was also master of the hounds, hence the origin of his yacht's names.
1st Morgan Cup (Calshot to Cherbourg return).
1st in Channel race.

1937
3rd Overall in her first Fastnet Entry
Racing in 1936

1939
1st in Fastnet
1st in Channel race.
2nd in Benodet Race.

1945 - 1946
Before the outbreak of the war in 1939 she was sold to Hans Hamilton and Pat Eden and remained laid up in Gosport for the duration of conflict until 1945. Bloodhound managed to survive without bombing damage through this period. Her new owners wasted no time by competing in the 1946 Cowes week, (the first series since 1939) during which she was 1st in the London YC regatta, 1st in the RYS race, plus a second and third throughout the week.

1947
She was then sold to Mr Miles Wyatt who knew about ocean racing, being the Admiral of the RORC and the actual founder of the Admiral’s Cup. He also knew that Bloodhound was nothing other than a winner. On his fist outing he gained two firsts, one second and one third in the first post war Cowes week of 1947. He also gained a first in the Southsea to Brixham race during this year. At some point, Wyatt fitted Bloodhound’s first auxiliary engine. 2nd Fastnet race.

1948
1948 produced mixed results and less race entries with a retirement in the Malo - Dinard race (through broken forestay). Bloodhound then won the round the Island race, gained a second in the Morgan cup and a second in the RYS race during Cowes week.

1949
1949 proved Wyatt’s most spectacular RORC season with the following results.
Portsmouth - Poole. 1st.
North Sea race 1st. (Only one of three of twenty three finishers where storm conditions prevailed).
Finished first in Morgan cup but handicapped to second place.
A first and a second at Cowes week.
1st Fastnet. (For the second time).

1951
Wyatt continued his unprecedented success in the RORC races. 2nd Fastnet race in which storms prevailed throughout the fist two days during which Wyatt was thrown against the tiller shortly after the start off the Nee

Updated: 21/05/2008