History
Spirit was designed and built in the heyday of the formula 40 class, although she had a fairly troubled life in her early days. From what we have been able to research Bruno Fehrenbach designed her in late 1986 after building the Trimaran Apricot as part of Nigel Iren's team. He then started construction of Spirit with Martin Baker and Wesley Massam in September 1986 at Court House Farm, near Bristol UK, where Apricot, Gordano Goose and Ilan Voyager were also built. In 87, they ran out of money as one of the sponsors did not keep their commitments Spirit was then stored outside the shed at the farm for some years.
A while later, Alan Thomas and Mike Golding (then a fireman), offered to buy her. They entered lengthy negotiations until one day they came with a truck and took her away... without paying the rumour goes! Golding then got her to a yard in Plymouth and hired Merfyn Owen to redesign the crossbeams. She is constructed of 1/2 inch strip plank red cedar with 2 x 250g UD E glass either side and epoxy. Originally the only carbon used was in the beams. After completion Spirit then "Spirit of England" went on to pursue a long and successful racing career at the hands of Peter Clutterbuck.
Peter had bought her from Mike Golding in an unfinished state in 1994. He finished her off and campaigned her for 6 years, won 15 races and broke 5 race records. Peter was incredibly successful with Spirit and he and a young Brian Thompson went on to beat many race records around the UK and Europe during the mid to late 90's.
Peter owned her until 2001 when he sold her to Bill Foster of Stonnington, Connecticut in the USA. Bill and Sir Robyn Knox Johnston then competed in the two-handed 2002 Round England and Ireland Race. Unfortunately Spirit suffered float damage in that race and had to retire. Bill then sailed her to the US where she was based until she was sold in 2010.
In 2010 she was sold to her current owner Jason Gard. Jason then sailed her to Newport RI where she underwent a mini refit. Her plywood float or ama decks were replaced with carbon, her rigging and electrical wiring was replaced after which she set sail to Australasia via Panama and the Pacific. Since then she has sailed more than 20,000nm or halfway around the world competing in numerous races and regattas and is now enjoyed as a simple and fast cruiser by Jason and his partner Claudia.
At the end of 2014 while she was ashore in the Whitsunday Islands she underwent a major refit at the hands of Jason and Claudia with all her systems being overhauled if not replaced. Her interior and cockpit were redesigned and spaces that were more functional and suited to long term cruising were built. Boat builder Ian Willet was instrumental during this time and was hired to oversee all the modifications that were made.
Their aim was to create a platform where they could both live as simply and efficiently as possible while and as close to nature. Other main goals have been to produce all onboard power by sustainable methods such as solar. And since June 2015 Spirit has been powered 100% from the sun!
Spirit is their home and this site was created to share her history and future adventures with like minded people.
They hope you enjoy and that it inspires you to fulfil your own dreams!
A while later, Alan Thomas and Mike Golding (then a fireman), offered to buy her. They entered lengthy negotiations until one day they came with a truck and took her away... without paying the rumour goes! Golding then got her to a yard in Plymouth and hired Merfyn Owen to redesign the crossbeams. She is constructed of 1/2 inch strip plank red cedar with 2 x 250g UD E glass either side and epoxy. Originally the only carbon used was in the beams. After completion Spirit then "Spirit of England" went on to pursue a long and successful racing career at the hands of Peter Clutterbuck.
Peter had bought her from Mike Golding in an unfinished state in 1994. He finished her off and campaigned her for 6 years, won 15 races and broke 5 race records. Peter was incredibly successful with Spirit and he and a young Brian Thompson went on to beat many race records around the UK and Europe during the mid to late 90's.
Peter owned her until 2001 when he sold her to Bill Foster of Stonnington, Connecticut in the USA. Bill and Sir Robyn Knox Johnston then competed in the two-handed 2002 Round England and Ireland Race. Unfortunately Spirit suffered float damage in that race and had to retire. Bill then sailed her to the US where she was based until she was sold in 2010.
In 2010 she was sold to her current owner Jason Gard. Jason then sailed her to Newport RI where she underwent a mini refit. Her plywood float or ama decks were replaced with carbon, her rigging and electrical wiring was replaced after which she set sail to Australasia via Panama and the Pacific. Since then she has sailed more than 20,000nm or halfway around the world competing in numerous races and regattas and is now enjoyed as a simple and fast cruiser by Jason and his partner Claudia.
At the end of 2014 while she was ashore in the Whitsunday Islands she underwent a major refit at the hands of Jason and Claudia with all her systems being overhauled if not replaced. Her interior and cockpit were redesigned and spaces that were more functional and suited to long term cruising were built. Boat builder Ian Willet was instrumental during this time and was hired to oversee all the modifications that were made.
Their aim was to create a platform where they could both live as simply and efficiently as possible while and as close to nature. Other main goals have been to produce all onboard power by sustainable methods such as solar. And since June 2015 Spirit has been powered 100% from the sun!
Spirit is their home and this site was created to share her history and future adventures with like minded people.
They hope you enjoy and that it inspires you to fulfil your own dreams!
Race History 2010-2016
2017 - Kings Cup regatta Phuket, Thailand. - 5th on OMR, 2nd over the line 4/5 races.
2015 - Darwin to Ambon Yacht Race - line honours and 1st on handicap
2013 - Australian Multihull Nationals, Airlie Beach - Division 1, 2nd on OMR
2013 - Brisbane to Gladstone Race - 4th over the line and seventh on OMR
2012 - Musket Cove Regatta Fiji - 1st over the line in all races and record holder around of the Malolo Island Race
2012 - Tahiti Pearl Regatta - 1st over the line in all five races and awarded fastest yacht
2015 - Darwin to Ambon Yacht Race - line honours and 1st on handicap
2013 - Australian Multihull Nationals, Airlie Beach - Division 1, 2nd on OMR
2013 - Brisbane to Gladstone Race - 4th over the line and seventh on OMR
2012 - Musket Cove Regatta Fiji - 1st over the line in all races and record holder around of the Malolo Island Race
2012 - Tahiti Pearl Regatta - 1st over the line in all five races and awarded fastest yacht
Race History 1994-2010
1999 - RORC Cowes to St Malo - 1st place and race record
1998 - Round Britain and Ireland Race - 1st place. Beat all other boats in class 1, 2 & 3, leg record and line honours on 4 legs
1998 - RORC Cowes to Ouistreham - 1st place
1997 - RORC Multihull Season - 1st place
1997 - RORC Fastnet - 1st place corrected multihulls under 50ft
1997 - RORC Cowes to Alderney - 1st place (elapsed and line honours)
1997 - RORC Cowes to St Quay - 1st place (tied elapsed and corrected)
1996 - Gelert Three Peaks Race - 1st place
1996 - Jura Scottish Peaks Race - 1st place
1996 - RORC Cowes to St Malo - 1st in class
1995 - Falmouth to the Azores Race AZAB - 1st place (elapsed and on corrected) broke and still holds the record
1995 - Nab Tower Race - 1st place (elapsed)
1994 - Nab Tower Race - 1st place (elapsed)
1994 - Double-handed Round the Island Race - 1st place and record holder
1998 - Round Britain and Ireland Race - 1st place. Beat all other boats in class 1, 2 & 3, leg record and line honours on 4 legs
1998 - RORC Cowes to Ouistreham - 1st place
1997 - RORC Multihull Season - 1st place
1997 - RORC Fastnet - 1st place corrected multihulls under 50ft
1997 - RORC Cowes to Alderney - 1st place (elapsed and line honours)
1997 - RORC Cowes to St Quay - 1st place (tied elapsed and corrected)
1996 - Gelert Three Peaks Race - 1st place
1996 - Jura Scottish Peaks Race - 1st place
1996 - RORC Cowes to St Malo - 1st in class
1995 - Falmouth to the Azores Race AZAB - 1st place (elapsed and on corrected) broke and still holds the record
1995 - Nab Tower Race - 1st place (elapsed)
1994 - Nab Tower Race - 1st place (elapsed)
1994 - Double-handed Round the Island Race - 1st place and record holder