Bloodhound features in the Times ~ by Boatmatch.com
Pulished in the London Times 30th May 2007. Royal racing yacht is restored to glory with a £1.5m price tag CHRISTCHURCH A 70-year-old yacht once owned and raced by the Duke of Edinburgh has been restored to her former glory. 'Bloodhound', a 63ft wooden yawl, served the Royal Family for seven years in the 1960s. Prince Philip bought her in 1962 when she was already 25 years old and she was sold in 1969 for £25,000.
Tony McGrail, a yacht surveyor, bought her four years ago for an undisclosed sum and has spent £1 million on bringing her to her present condition (right). Mr McGrail, from Christchurch, Dorset, said: "She is probably the most famous ocean racer existing and won countless races. We are hoping that Prince Philip will visit her, and perhaps sail her once again".
Mr McGrail remortgaged his house to restore the yacht, renowned for her speed and race victories including the 1939 Fastnet. He says that he cannot afford to keep her and is hoping to sell her for about £1.5 million. Simon de Bruxelles
