Back to the future: the restoration of Shamrock V
Work on the vessel began last year, but prior to that, it had been moored in its current location due to years of general wear and tear, as well as the aftermath of a stormy race at the St. Barths Bucket Regatta in 2017. It was sold in 2022, and the new owner is planning a major restoration.
Shamrock V was built in 1930 at Charles Nicholson's new shipyard by tea magnate Sir Thomas Lipton, who was determined to win the America's Cup. That year, Shamrock V faced her American rival, Enterprise, in a match off Newport from September 13 to 18. While the yachts shared a similar hull profile, they differed significantly in their spars and deck equipment. The match consisted of seven races, with Enterprise winning the first two by a wide margin. In the third race, Shamrock V won the pre-start duel, but her lead was short-lived due to a broken mainsail halyard. The massive mainsail collapsed onto the deck, shattering the hopes of Shamrock V's owner. The fourth race was predictably won by Enterprise, leading Lipton to despairingly admit, "I can't win."
Shamrock V has had a long and storied history, with numerous owners and major refits. In 1967, Italian yachtsman Piero Scanu entrusted her to Camper & Nicholsons, where her hull was stripped down to its steel frame, sandblasted, repaired, and repainted. A new engine and spar were installed, and the deck was covered with 2-inch teak.
In the late 1980s, Shamrock V underwent a meticulous and authentic restoration by Elizabeth Meyer, a passionate classic boat restoration expert. Later, in the late 1990s, Brazilian businessman Marcos de Moraes became the yacht's new owner and had her restored at Pendennis Shipyard under the guidance of Dykstra Architects. This restoration focused on enhancing her speed performance, returning the original deck structures and spar configuration, overhauling mechanical systems, and replacing rigging. The interiors were also updated, now featuring rich mahogany finishes.
Today, Shamrock V meets the latest structural, crew, and environmental safety standards and has been awarded the world's first 5-star Superyacht Eco Index certification by Lloyd's Register.
In her current racing configuration, the boat boasts over 743.2 square meters of sails from North and Doyle. While she has a permanent crew of nine, she can race with up to 45 crew members, depending on wind conditions and other factors.
During the peak of the restoration, more than 30 craftsmen were working double shifts. Paul Spooner, who led the project team alongside Fergus Bryan, remarked, "This was a massive undertaking and a tremendous privilege to unite exceptional talent from both the classic and super yacht communities. We have been fortunate to have an enthusiastic and knowledgeable owner who has allowed us to properly and thoroughly restore this significant part of yachting history."
