The ambitious proposal to restore Gipsy Moth IV and sail her around the world again has already gathered a large number of supporters.

Most importantly the project has been welcomed by The Maritime Trust, custodians of Gipsy Moth IV and The Cutty Sark, the last remaining tea clipper ship in the world. At a recent meeting, trustees unanimously approved YM’s proposal to find sponsors to refit Gipsy Moth IV for sea once again.
Sir Julian Oswald, Admiral of the Fleet, and chairman of The Maritime Trust, said: ‘Gipsy Moth IV and Sir Francis Chichester are sailing legends at the very centre of Britain’s remarkable heritage of sail. The Maritime Trust, working in partnership with Yachting Monthly, is proud to have this exciting opportunity to let this historic boat break free from her dry berth of the last 30 years.’

Richard Doughty, Chief Executive and Director of Fundraising at The Cutty Sark Trust, and secretary of The Maritime Trust, said: ‘This imaginative initiative will introduce Gipsy Moth IV to a new generation of young sailors, see her restored to a sailing condition, and help to secure her future. If we can find sponsors, it will be an extraordinary achievement to allow her to circumnavigate the world again – celebrating Sir Francis Chichester’s achievement and celebrating her long-time neighbour at Greenwich, The Cutty Sark, which inspired Chichester to make his solo circumnavigation in the first place.’

Sir Robin Knox-Johnston (right), whose own non-stop solo circumnavigation in his 32ft ketch Suhaili in 1969 was inspired by Gipsy Moth IV’s one-stop voyage is ‘delighted’ to be a patron of our project.

‘Francis Chichester was really the catalyst for me,’ said Sir Robin. ‘I was in South Africa when he sailed passed the Cape of Good Hope and really felt that his voyage left only one thing to be done.’

Sir Francis Chichester’s son, Giles, the European Member of Parliament for the South-West, has agreed to be a patron for the project, and is pleased about plans to ‘rescue and refit’ Gipsy Moth IV. He expressed hopes that Plymouth might have an opportunity to provide a longer-term home for the yacht after her second circumnavigation.

Chay Blyth (right) said: ‘This boat made groundbreaking passages. And it has been a wonderful thing that she has been open as an exhibit for thousands of people to come and see. Now there is a plan to get her back in the water and sailing again it can only inspire a new generation of young sailors.’

Giorgio Bendoni, managing director of Camper & Nicholsons, which built Gipsy Moth IV in 1966, said: ‘C&N has built many of the world’s most famous yachts, but few have ever captured the hearts and imaginations of the public in quite the same way as Gipsy Moth IV. When news of Yachting Monthly’s plan to mount a campaign for her restoration reached us we were delighted and immediately committed our support.

Ellen MacArthur (right), who at 24 became the youngest person and the fastest woman to circumnavigate the globe in 2001, has also put her name to the project. Ellen recalls how she used to take Chichester’s book: Gipsy Moth Circles the World out of her school library in Derbyshire. When she returned recently she discovered the book had only been borrowed once in the eight years since she left!

‘I fully support Yachting Monthly’s bid to get Gipsy Moth IV sailing again,’ she said. ‘It’s a fantastic project and may inspire a few more kids to read Chichester’s book! Go for it!’