gbii-yacht-#151827

Length: 77.5 feet

Beam: 18 feet

Mast Height: 100 feet

Weight: 55 tons

Sails: 23 - over an acre

Sheets and Ropes: half a mile

Fore Stay: ST STL - 115 ft

Back Stay: ST STL - 110 ft

Standing Rigging: ST STL - 1000 ft

Running Rigging: Various - 500 ft

Winches: 30

Water: 500 gallons

Fuel - Diesel: 100 gallons

Range - Fuel: 450 miles

Range - Sail: 30,000 miles plus

ABOUT GBII

GBII is constructed of fibreglass and foam sandwich to give the lightest possible displacement, hence greater speed. Designed to be the fastest yacht in the world, she was purpose built for Sir Chay Blyth CBE BEM to enter and win the first Whitbread. From the moment the historic launch in 1973, GBII’s racing successes have made her a legend on the seas recognised everywhere she goes.

DESIGNED TO BE THE FASTEST YACHT IN THE WORLD OF ITS TIME

GBII HISTORY

Her unique achievements were recently recognised at the Volvo Legends Reunion and Regatta in Alicante when she received the Ian Bailey-Willmot award for embodying the spirit of ocean racing.

GBII (re-named to reflect her history and the Scale of her achievements) was launched by HRH Princess Anne in 1973 as Great Britain II and was skippered by Sir Chay Blyth with a crew from the Parachute Regiment in the first Whitbread Round the World yacht race. She won this inaugural event on elapsed time, sailing 27,120 miles in 144 days 10 hours at an average speed of 7.41 knots, a new world record.

 

Read more GBII History

She went on to win the second race on elapsed time four years later. GBII has taken part in every Whitbread Round the World Race and was the first yacht to race five times around the world.

Today GBII has been in the care of a private family for some fifteen years. She regularly crosses the Atlantic and can be seen cruising in the Mediterranean as part of her busy programme combining cruising with display sails at events including Cowes week, Antigua race week and others.

Below the yacht has been converted for cruising with many original features retained. She is now rigged as a sloop however the deck layout is almost identical to that Sir Chay Blyth designed back in 1974.

GBII LINE HONOURS

  • 1974/75

    Winner, elapsed time, first ever Whitbread Round The World Race 

  • 1975/76

    Winner in 134 days, Financial Times Clipper Race to Australia. The Clipper Ship Passage record, beaten by GBII in this race, and originally set in 1867 by 'Patriach' was 138 - 69 days out and 69 days back

  • 1977/78

    Winner, elapsed time, second Whitbread Round The World Race

  • 1981/82

    First British Yacht, in third Whitbread Race

  • 1982

    Winner, elapsed time, Tall Ships Race, Falmouth-Lisbon-Southampton

  • 1983

    Winner, elapsed time, Tall Ships Race, Travemunde-Karskrona

  • 1984

    Tall Ship Race, St Malo-Quebec-Liverpool

  • 1985

    Fastest ever monohull, Antigua-Azores in 11 days, average 218 miles per day

  • 1985/86

    Beat passage time, in the fourth Whitbread Race

  • 1986

    Winner, Brent Walker Pursuit Race

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THE GBII EXPERIENCE

Cowes is known as the International home of yacht racing with “Cowes Week” being one of the UK’s longest running and most successful sporting events. Treat your guests to a full Cowes hospitality experience, enjoy a great mix of classic sailing and social activities that are renowned at this prestigious event.

There are up to 40 daily races for over 1,000 boats making this one of the largest sailing regattas in the world. The Isle of Wight sees more than 100,000 spectators come to watch the sailing, enjoy the parties and live entertainment, allowing you to experience the unique atmosphere of Cowes, in a very special way.

 

GBII HOSPITALITY

Enjoy corporate hospitality at its finest on board your own private luxury sailing yacht, spending a memorable time with your most valued clients literally standing in the feet of legends.

Enjoy the relaxed atmosphere and spectacular colourful views of the yacht racing that brings the Solent to life on board this piece of History.

It will make it an unforgettable day for you, your clients or staff all being looked after by our  professional attentive crew making this day special for you.

GBII ITINERARY

09H00 Guests meet in Cowes and are greeted onboard by our skipper and crew with bacon sandwiches and coffee.

09H30 Following the skipper briefing, we will sail onto the Solent waters bound for Yarmouth on the Isle of Wight. Tea, coffee and soft drinks are available all day.

12H30 In Yarmouth we will drop anchor and after transfer ashore enjoy a 2 course lunch at Salties Bistro (soft drinks included).

14H00 Up anchor and a gentle sail back to Cowes with afternoon tea and cakes served on the way.

16H30 Arrive back in Cowes & departures for mainland

A more tailored package can also be created on request which can include lunch in the Royal Yacht Squadron and rib support vessel to further enhance the enjoyment of the day

Professionl Skipper, Crew/Hostess aboard the boat

Continental breakfast including champagne/Bucks Fizz

Pre-lunch Pimms and canapes

Gourmet buffet lunch served onboard

Inclusive bar (beer, white wine and cider, excludes additional champagne) and soft drinks

Afternoon tea and cakes

Loan of all safety equipment and wet weather gear

Insurance

All mooring fees and boat costs

GBII tailored merchandise available on request

All pre-event and on site management

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GBII MERCHANDISE

Look the part or take home the memories with our high quality merchandise, suitable for a corporate welcome gift.

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GBII CREW GILET

A re-styled technical sleeveless jacket with high resistance to wind and Durable Water Repellent finish making this a versatile garment across a wide range of temperatures.

Colours: Carbon

Price: £95.00

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GBII LONG SLEEVE TSHIRT

Great crew shirts...outfit the entire team! Also an effective technical base layer...plus SPF 40 protection!

Colours: White

Price: £45.00

BOOKING ENQUIRIES

For further information regarding GBII hospitality packages, please fill in the form and we'll get back to you with the prices and custom packages.

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