Restoration of a classic yacht "Hatasoo"

Aim: To raise funds via donations and rewards for the restoration of Hatasoo to save a unique boat which is part of Scotland's sailing heritage.

The Cause  "Hatasoo"

Hatasoo is a yacht that was built in 1894 by the legendary designer and builder William Fife III, who was a third generation boat builder on the west coast of Scotland.  William Fife Jr. created many beautiful yachts, two of which competed for the America's Cup - Shamrock I in 1899 and Shamrock III in 1903.  Very few of these yachts have survived to this day, with most have being broken up.

Hatasoo is one of the smallest yachts that William Fife Jr designed and built, but that hides the fact she was one of, if not the most successful yacht he every conceived.

Back in the late 1800's there was a class of racing yachts called the Clyde Lugger 17/19 which raced on the west coast of Scotland.  When Hatasoo entered the scene in 1894 she went on to win over 100 of the 113 races she entered and broke the class.  A replacement class was created in 1896 and no further 17/19's were built.  We know of only four 17/19's left in existence.  One is in the National Maritime Museum in Falmouth as a static display and the other two are in storage needing rebuilt.

With that in mind its amazing that she is still here and until a few years ago was the last of her class still sailing.  Unfortunately time does eventually take its toll and Hatasoo is in need of a major restoration. there is very little that will not need attention and for such a small yacht, at only 17 feet long at the waterline, it will require a lot of time and expertise to save her for future generations.

I would like to enable an important piece of yachting history to return to the Clyde waters and continue sailing her as a boat and that she doesn't become a static exhibit in a museum.  This will require her to go through a full restoration, saving as much of her as we can, as most of Hatasoo is still the original boat that was built in 1894.

We started the restoration from our own funds and will be committing 10's of thousands of pounds.  I will be helping with the restoration when I can but the skilled labour is being undertaken by A & R Way Boatbuilders.  They have undertaken many restorations of historic boats and as the work is progressed, it will be documented for future generations.  As with most historical restorations the cost to restore far exceeds the cost of building new.  Each part will need to be taken apart carefully, numbered in sequence, repaired and then reinstated.

Initial estimates for the full project are between £70,000 and £100,000, which is why we have turned to raising funds.  Please help us to maintain the last sailing 17/19 from the original class and one of the most successful Scottish racing yachts ever built.

The restoration will be published on a blog as she progresses.  It would be fantastic to be able to restore Hatasoo back to her original state and preserve her for future generations.  For her to grace the seas of the Clyde again.  For a few others to experience the wonder of sailing and watching her compete.

There is more information on a blog that I am writing, which gives the history of the yacht and hopefully explains more about why she needs to be saved.  The blog will also give her supporter confidence of where the money is being spent.

Hatasoo.blogspot.com

Hopefully you can see the beauty as I can and will feel that she is worth your support.

There are various rewards. Below are pictures of the selection of rewards.

As the work takes place it will be photographed and updates will be posted on the Blog Hatasoo.blogspot.com

Hatasoo.blogspot.com

We have started the project and below is a picture of the keel having been removed.  Lots more information and pictures are on the blog Hatasoo.blogspot.com

Funding method

Keep what you raise – this project will receive all pledges made by 12th September 2025 at 5:32pm