Classic yacht Altricia will sail again after arson attack

by Louise Midgley on 28 Jul 2016 A classic yacht which was a centrepiece at this year’s London Boat Show, following a painstaking three year restoration at Mylor Yacht Harbour is back under the care of Mylor’s Marine Team after she became the victim of arsonists.

Fifty year old “Altricia”, a McGruer 8m Cruiser-Racer, was a magnet for thousands of visitors from across the world during the ten day Show at ExCeL London - drawn by her classic lines, gleaming mahogany finish, shining stainless steel and state-of-the-art equipment.

After the Show her owner Peter Methven OBE placed her in storage near his home base in Gloucestershire – but police have confirmed the adjacent hay-barn was set alight in an arson attack and consequently she suffered serious heat damage and blistering to her starboard side.

“It was all very distressing, especially after all the time and work which I and the fantastic Mylor team put into restoring this beautiful boat, that she should be the victim of mindless vandals who, the police believe, will almost certainly never be caught,” says Peter.

“Altricia has been fully surveyed since the fire – and the main thing now is that the experts at Mylor Yacht Harbour know her so well and they know exactly what needs to be done to bring her back to the perfect state she was in for the Boat Show.”

Since arriving back at Mylor Yacht Harbour the Marine Team have removed all the varnish from Altricia’s starboard side, coach-roof and trunking - of which they had applied eight layers just last year. They have repaired severe damage to her topside planking, the varnish is being re-applied and the cracked starboard windows replaced so that once again she is nearing her original immaculate condition.

“This has been a real shame for Peter and our team who have invested so much energy into Altricia and her restoration,” says Marine Team Project Manager Henry Goldsmith. “Peter certainly hoped to be sailing her in the waters off Mylor this summer and thanks to the work we’ve been putting into this second restoration - he very soon will be!”