This article was first published by The Telegraph national newspaper in the UK on 30th May 2007...
Mr McGrail said: “This is my tenth major restoration project and by far the most important.
“She was extremely well made in the 1930s, but we have had to take her to pieces and put her back together again. It took twice as long and cost twice as much as I expected. But everything they ever said about her is true - she almost sails herself.”
Tony’s involvement with IIMS Tony was approved as an IIMS Associate member in 1998, being upgraded to a Full member just a couple of years later. He studied the IIMS Diploma in Yacht & Small Craft Marine Surveying, gaining the professional qualification in 2001. In the early years of his membership, Tony
A 70-year-old yacht once owned and raced by Prince Philip has been restored to its former glory. Bloodhound, a 63ft wooden yawl, served the Royal Family for seven years during the 1960s and was the vessel in which both Prince Charles and Princess Anne learned to sail.
Tony McGrail, a yacht surveyor from Christchurch, Dorset, who has just completed a four-year stint refurbishing the craft, said: “Bloodhound is probably the most famous ocean racer existing and she is unique for a number of reasons.
“People go on about Princess Diana’s dresses and Princess Margaret’s jewels, but Bloodhound was part of the Royal Family’s fabric. We are hoping that Prince Philip will come and visit, and perhaps sail her once again.”
Bloodhound was built in the 1930s by Camper and Nicholson, the famous boat-building company, for Ike Bell, an American yachtsman who won several important races in her including the 1939 Fastnet race.
After the war it went through various hands until being bought by the Royal Family in 1962.
Having had to re-mortgage his home and take out numerous bank loans to pay for the refurbishment, Mr McGrail says that he cannot afford to keep the £1.5 million vessel, which is at present moored in Poole harbour.
His hope is to sell the craft to the nation, but he fears that it is more likely that it will end up in private hands.
was a regular participant at IIMS events and conferences.
For a number of years Tony was Chairman of the IIMS Certifying Authority, remaining as a valued member of the committee after he stepped down from that role before finally leaving in 2015. For his contribution in his role as Chairman, IIMS recognised his efforts by awarding him a Fellowship.
Footnote: These days Bloodhound is on display alongside The Royal Yacht Britannia in Leith, Edinburgh and she is available for charter in the summer months.
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