ENDEAVOUR — CAMPER & NICHOLSONS

HISTORY

Endeavour was commissioned by Sir T.O.M. Sopwith to challenge for the America’s Cup in 1934. Having prepared his campaign in Shamrock V, Sopwith was keen to ensure that this yacht was the most advanced design possible. With his experience designing aircraft Sopwith applied aviation technology to Endeavour’s rig and winches and spared nothing to make her the finest vessel of her day. From launching in 1934 she continued her preparation by competing against Shamrock V (then owned by Sir Richard Fairey) and the newly launched Velsheda (owned by W.L Stephenson).

She swept through the British racing fleet and into the hearts of yachtsmen the World around, winning many races in her first season. Like many before her, Endeavour did not win the Cup but she came closer to doing so than any other challenger.

Endeavour pioneered the development of the Quadrilateral genoa, a two clewed headsail offering immense sail area and power, and still used on J Class yachts racing today. She also had a larger and better designed spinnaker but Sopwith was let down by poor crewing. Just prior to departure for the USA, his professional crew went on strike for more money and Sopwith was forced to round up keen amateur sailors, who had the enthusiasm but not the experience. Afterwards, she returned to England to dominate the British racing scene until 1938 when she was laid up prior to the war.

Over the next 46 years, Endeavour passed through many hands, her fate often hanging by a thread. Among other indignities, she was sold to a scrap merchant in 1947 only to be saved by another buyer hours before her demolition was due to begin. In the seventies, she sank in the Medina River in Cowes. Again at the eleventh hour, she was bought for ten pounds sterling by two carpenters who patched the holes in her hull with plastic bags and got her afloat again. In the early eighties, Endeavour sat at Calshot Spit, an abandoned seaplane base fronting the Solent. She was a complete wreck, a rusting and forlorn hulk with no keel, rudder, ballast or interior.

COMMENTS

In 2010, 2011 and 2012 ENDEAVOUR underwent an extensive 18-month refit at Yachting Developments in New Zealand leaving only the gearbox and propeller untouched.

Absolute care has been taken throughout the refit to preserve as much of the vessel as practical while taking advantage of twenty first century sailing systems, enhanced performance and improved functionality. There has been a philosophy of longevity and serviceability throughout the refit ensuring Endeavour will remain the historic icon she is today for future generations.

The comprehensive 18-month refit included removal and replacement of the weather deck including entire deck equipment. Steel deck framing was relocated to accommodate load paths of the new deck layout.

Dykstra & Partners, naval architects, were instrumental in the design of the new sail plan, deck layout, rudder and structural engineering. The hull has been repaired, sandblasted and reinforced to accommodate new rig loads. The main engine, generators, hydraulic systems, winches, electrical system, electronics, bow thruster, air conditioning, mast and sails have been replaced or upgraded. The new carbon fibre mast was built by Southern Spars Auckland, the mast features EC6 carbon standing rigging.

Accommodation forward of the mast has been reconfigured by John Munford and Adam Lay; the new interior has been built in-house by Yachting Developments tradesmen.

DISCLAIMER

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