ALTRICIA
Clockwise from
top left: Foredeck
switches for
Maxwell windlass;
most new deck
gear is from
Barton; new
stainless dorade
vents on rebuilt
mahogany boxes;
hull and deck
brightwork was
coated in
Awlwood MA
Clearcoat system;
deck cleats are
Nomen folding
models; Andersen
winches at the
companionwayY
ou get a lot of boat for your money
with wooden restorations,” says Peter
Methven, of his classic 13m (42 ft)
McGruer, Altricia. “You have to do a
certain amount of maintenance, but
she’s a great boat with great
provenence and she’s great fun. McGruer yachts were
so well built and I feel proud to have been in the
position to know what I wanted and to work closely
with the Mylor team to bring this stunning vessel back
to her former glory. By the time you have finished the
restoration you know every nook and cranny.”
And Peter should know – he is a qualified yacht and
boat builder with experience spanning every sector
within the industry worldwide. He was awarded an
OBE in 2009 for his services to the marine industry,
working to increase the business competitiveness of
marine sector firms both regionally and internationally.
But none of Peter’s family sailed when he was
growing up. “Boats couldn’t be further from their
psyche,” laughs Peter. “We used to holiday in
Sandbanks and I saved up pocket money and taughtmyself to sail from the age of five onwards. There were
no safety regulations then so I used to watch where the
other boats went and vaguely did it.”
Later on, Peter attended Pangbourne Nautical College.
“My parents thought it was good because there was a
high level of discipline, and I wanted to go because they
had a crack sailing team – in summer I sailed seven days
a week competitively and it was really good.”
Peter sailed Fireflys, National 12s, Merlin Rockets,
and other dinghies, “then I failed the medical to go into
the Navy as a result of rugby injuries so I decided to
become a boat builder”.
After a spell of skippering in the Mediterranean, Peter
went back to the River Hamble. “I didn’t want to be a
skipper forever, so I went back and did my time on the
tools, ended up working for Universal Shipyards on the
Hamble as assistant to the manager. Then I went to
Southampton and did Yacht and Boatyard Management
and have been in the industry all my life, so I’m useless
for anything else!” Peter laughs. “But I’ve had a great
variety of experience, and had my own company for the
last 40 years, so I’ve been very fortunate indeed.”“