Advertisement

Pensioner spends five years renovating yacht, only for it to sink in five minutes

A pensioner watched the yacht he spent five years lovingly renovating in his garden sink after just five minutes on the water.

Boating enthusiast Richard Ogilvy, 75, bought the yacht from another private owner in London 10 years ago and set about doing it up.

Since 2013 he has worked up to eight hours a day – a full working week – ripping off the fibreglass deck, treating the rotten deck and hull and getting the engine running.

On Saturday Richard finally decided it was time to test his handiwork and see how far out to sea she could make it.

Unfortunately the yacht, named Sea Wraithe, did not make it as far as the harbour wall and went under in a matter of minutes.

Richard, from nearby Forres, had to get two of his sons to help him haul the boat out of the water.

The yacht didn't even make it to the harbour wall before sinking (Caters)
The yacht didn’t even make it to the harbour wall before sinking (Caters)

Despite his setback he has not been put off and, having the water out of the boat, he is now determined to see his project through.

Richard said: “Obviously I would have liked to see the boat remain on the surface. A boat is much better when it floats.

“But it was a life-affirming experience finally getting her in the water.

MORE: Fishermen Rescued From Sinking Ship Off the Coast of Shetland
MORE: Watch: Tourist faints after finding out bracelet she broke is worth £35,000

“Seeing the boat come out again was incredible and when we finally get it sailing in a couple of months we will be able to have a few beers, look back and laugh.”

Richard has called in support from a boat repair specialist in Lossiemouth to help him – and major work may still need to be undertaken.

He is now sleeping is his Land Rover at the harbour to make sure the engine of the yacht doesn’t flood at night in high tide.

Richard Ogilvy has spent years restoring the yacht only to watch it sink on the first trial (Caters)
Richard Ogilvy has spent years restoring the yacht only to watch it sink on the first trial (Caters)

He said: ”I see my wife when I go home for some proper food and a shower at the moment, when the tide is low.

“When you have been working on it for so long you just have to keep going. It would seem like a real failure to give up now.”

The yacht was built in 1936 and was originally used to train German naval officers before the Second World War.

Richard, a father of five and grandfather of 15, also believes part of the joy of the project was being able to work on it with two of his sons.

Richard is sleeping in his car by the harbour so he can make sure the engine doesn't flood (Caters)
Richard is sleeping in his car by the harbour so he can make sure the engine doesn’t flood (Caters)

One of them, a mechanic, helped him with the engine and both were there to help him pull it out of the water again.

He said: “When I say this has been a life-affirming experience, I really mean that because it has allowed me to spend quality time with my sons.

“It gave me a lovely feeling of friendship with my children, and brought a lump to my throat.”

Top pic: Caters