A Passion for Sailing

The Royal Yacht Britannia Trust achieved a longstanding ambition to regroup the full fleet of former Royal racing yachts which include BLOODHOUND, BLUEBOTTLE and COWESLIP.

The nature of conservation work on historic vessels means at different times, BLOODHOUND and COWESLIP are either on display beside Britannia or undergoing vital work, or in the case of BLUEBOTTLE competing across the globe!

Read on to discover their stories and how these iconic vessels played an important role in Royal life, competitive sailing and maritime heritage. 

Bluebottle racing yacht bearing right

Bluebottle

Crewed by world-class sailors Graham and Julia Bailey, the 70-year-old wooden-hulled yacht is widely considered to be the most iconic of all Dragons and regularly beats its modern-day fibreglass counterparts in international races.

Bluebottle's success
The exterior of Coweslip

Coweslip

COWESLIP, a 20-foot Flying Fifteen keelboat, was designed by the legendary Uffa Fox. Presented to Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip as a belated wedding present in 1949, Prince Philip frequently sailed on COWESLIP with Uffa and, together, they had great success sailing competitively.

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Royal Yacht Britannia Bloodhound

Bloodhound

One of Britain’s most historically significant ocean sailing yachts. BLOODHOUND was built in 1936 by the prestigious Camper & Nicholsons yard and was owned by Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip from 1962 to 1969.

Discover Bloodhound's story
A woman and a man standing inside a boat with other family members

The Fleet

Explore the fleet of vessels under the care of The Royal Yacht Britannia Trust.

Discover the fleet