There’s no galley on Collective Spirit! And yet this beautiful 30ft wooden yacht, which can only be called a work of art and crafted from 1200 items of wood donated by individuals, has caught the imagination of our team here at GN Espace. And here’s why. As a marine company, GN Espace shares a passion for yachts and yachting and wants to help this not-for-profit initiative get more people onto the water and keep this historic yet modern boat on the water into the future.
GN Espace’s Ralph Olingschlaeger spent a fabulous day out on the water on Collective Spirit amongst the racing fleets during Cowes Week in August. He recounts “The weather was glorious on the Solent and although the winds were light Collective Spirit still showed her sportsboat pedigree, speeding along at over 6 knots on the reach without even hoisting the gennaker. She is a beautifully balanced boat to sail and equally beautiful to look at. Everywhere you look on her you see you see an interesting piece of wood with a story.”
Collective Spirit was commissioned as part of the London 2012 Cultural Olympiad, as a project to build a seaworthy boat entirely from wooden objects donated by the public. A request went out for people to donate any wooden object, the only stipulation being that each piece of wood had to have a story behind it. The beautiful yacht has now taken on a new lease of life, thanks to UK Dufour distributors Universal Yachting who have taken her under their wing and now offer sailing days and a range of packages from their base in Hamble.
GN Espace is proud to have had the opportunity to be involved in the yacht’s legacy.
For more information visit the Collective Spirit website.
