The “Endeavour” was a 130 foot J-Class yacht- and rather technically advanced. The boat was commissioned by Sir Thomas Octave Murdoch Sopwith, and was built by Camper & Nicholson at Gosport, England.

Sopwith was a famous aviator, and had a very successful aviation business. The business led him to become fairly wealthy- and enough so that he could invest in a yacht. He even bought the Shamrock V, the failed challenger to the United States Enterprise. With his experience in aviation, Sopwith applied aviation technology to the design of his new boat- the Endeavour. While the Endeavor did not win any World Cup, it was the closest of any other challenger.

Endeavour pioneered the Quadrilateral genoa- which offered much more sail area and power. This same technology is still in use for J-Class yachts today. Although the Endeavour won many British races, it couldn’t seem to win the World Cup. Over the years, the Endeavour had many close calls. When it was to be demolished after being sold to a scrap merchant, a buyer called just hours before and bought the yacht. The yacht seems to have a bad history- as it even sunk in the Medina River. Again, the yacht was sold to another owner. For the longest time, Endeavour sat in an abandoned seaplane base in England.

Thankfully, in 1984, American Elizabeth Meyer bought the yacht and undertook a 5 year rebuild. The boat was so fragile, that even moving it would destroy it. Repairs had to be taken on-site to save the yacht from sure destruction. New engines, interior, sails, and many other systems were installed to make the boat like new again. In 1989, the boat sailed again for the first time in 52 years.

The Endeavour might not have one the America’s Cup, but it did win the more recent J Class Regatta. The three remaining J-Class boats raced, with the Endeavour winning both Regattas. The Shamrock V and Velsheda both competed, and surprisingly the Velsheda did not win.

It seems that Sopwith did indeed get what he wanted eventually- to beat the incredibly fast Velsheda. It might not have happened in his lifetime, but the maker’s wishes still came true in time. Through all of its hardships, it is an amazement to see the Endeavour still in action. This valuable part of J-Class history has given the sport of yachting many things- including the Quadrilateral genoa, which is still in use today. The boat has recently seen new owners, and was residing in the United States as of 2000 to yacht enthusiast L. Dennis.

Sadly, the Endeavour is one of three remaining J-Class yachts, and is lucky to be able to say such a thing. Numerous close calls in sinking or destructions have all been saved in some way or form- and luckily so. In 2000, owner L. Dennis stated “No one truly owns the Endeavour, she’s a part of racing History, I am delighted to be the current caretaker.” Looking back at the yacht’s history, it seems Dennis couldn’t be more correct.