“Spirit of Outward Bound Hong Kong”, our round-the-world and self-sufficient sailing yacht is able to run an offshore voyage to nearby countries across the South China Sea for a unique and unforgettable experience far away from land, surrounded completely by deep blue water at the mercy of the elements.
“Spirit of Outward Bound Hong Kong” is the largest sail training yacht in Hong Kong running expeditionary programmes and is extremely complex and powerful. Once under sail, she requires a willing, disciplined and functional team of participants to ensure operation around the clock.
| Designer | David Thomas, with detailed drawings by Thanos Condylis |
| Builder | Devonport Yachts Ltd, Plymouth, UK |
| Rig | Bermudan Cutter |
| Mast Height | 85 ft 3 in (25.98m) |
| Sail Area Upwind | 2,454 sq ft. (228 sq m) |
| Sail Area Downwind | 4,754 sq ft. (441 sq m) |
| Length Overall | 668 ft 8 in (20.32m) |
| Beam | 17 ft 4 in (5.28m) |
| Draught | 9 ft 10 in (2.99m) |
| Displacement | 41 tonnes at half load |
| Hull | 50B mild steel plate |
| Deck | 316 stainless steel |
| Keel Weight | 12 tonnes |
| Main Engine | Perkins-Sabre M130C |
| Generator | Onan MDKBN 11-13.5 kV |
| Fuel | 1,499 litres |
| Water | 914 litres |
| Accommodation | 2 x 2, 2 x 4 berth cabins, four crew in 2 x 2 berth cabins |
“Spirit of Outward Bound Hong Kong” has a long and distinguished history beginning in 1970 when Sir Chay Blyth became the first person to sail around the world single-handedly from East to West, against the prevailing winds and currents. Blyth’s own yacht ‘British Steel’ was of a similar size and in 1973, skippered the yacht ‘Great Britain’ around the world in the Whitbread Race (now known as the ‘Volvo Ocean Race’) with a crew of complete beginners.
These two achievements bore fruit in plans for a round the world ‘upwind’ yacht race, rounding Cape Horn and across the Southern Ocean. These yachts were to be crewed by ordinary men and women who need not have a background in sailing. Sir Chay Blyth and his associate Andy Roberts oversaw the design and construction of the two fleets of steel cutters forming the organisation ‘Challenge Business’, hence the yachts are referred to as Challenge 67s or Challenge 72s. The yachts took much from Sir Chay Blyth’s experience hence they are strong and powerful.
The first fleet comprised fourteen Challenge 67s designed by David Thomas and Thanos Condylis, where “Spirit of Outward Bound Hong Kong” was part of, identified as C28, a sail number she still wears today. Launched in 1991, she raced twice around the world from 1992 to 1993 (named “Commercial Union” and 1996 to 1997 (named “Concert”).
After the 1996 race the fleet of Challenge 67s were retired to a training role and a new fleet of twelve Challenge 72s were built. C28 was kept busy as a training and corporate charter boat for the Challenge Business, covering many thousands of nautical miles around the UK and transatlantic voyages.
In 2002, C28 was sponsored by Invest Hong Kong and renamed “Spirit of Hong Kong” for a race across the Atlantic Ocean. Outward Bound Hong Kong purchased C28 in 2004 and renamed her “Spirit of Outward Bound Hong Kong”.
