Philip L Rhodes 76 ft Bermudan Ketch 1962

An extremely well-bred yacht from a period when the transatlantic relationship between Philip L. Rhodes and Abeking & Rasmussen was particularly close; for very good reason both designer and builder were fiercely proud of GAEL. Rhodes’s 60-page specification and a healthy build budget challenged arguably Europe’s finest builders to raise their already high skill levels, and allowed use of only the best materials: in particular, double teak hull planking reinforced by the best alloys of bronze. Five owners in 60 years have risen to the subsequent challenge of honouring that perfection in maintaining GAEL as one or the finest yachts ever of this size and type, and enjoying her beautifully conceived public and private spaces and ease of sailing at fast passage making speeds.