What should happen to Drake's Island? The Fastnet 500. Viva Aviva. And a new literary festival
It's The Beagle: August 22 2026
The Fastnet 500 and the Aviva
Scene on the Sound
Beagle maritime correspondent The Captain keeps his eyes on the horizon
The Fastnet 500 is now set to be a biennial race – slotting into the ocean sailing programme in the years between classic Fastnet races. So, the next Fastnet 500 will be in 2028.
Meanwhile, what happened this year?
As detailed last weekend, there were eight entries to this year’s race, but only four made it to the start line. The Open 60 Super Bigou, the smaller (at 12.95 metres) of the two catamarans – Slinky Malinki and two monohulls – the 35’ GT35 Nova and the 33’ Liamar.
As predicted Super Bigou powered ahead, but on the return leg, she lost all battery power and had to retire into Falmouth, leaving Slinky Malinki to come first – she got back at 1814 on Wednesday evening and wins both on ‘first over the line’ and by handicap. Liamar went into harbour just outside Cork for a day or so and has just sailed again. As I write (Thursday afternoon) she is rounding the Fastnet Rock, but has retired from the race. Finally, the only other boat in the race, Nova, crossed the finish line on Thursday afternoon at 1425.
The Royal Western Yacht Club’s next major ocean race, World Star 2026, will start from Plymouth Sound on Saturday 26th September. World Star 2026 is a new non-stop, solo and double-handed global yacht race for 35-60 foot yachts. The fleet will circumnavigate the globe leaving the three great capes to port – so past Southern Africa (the Cape of Good Hope), South of Australia (Cape Leeuwin) and then south of South America (Cape Horn).
The superyacht Aviva anchored in the Sound on Monday afternoon after transiting here from Gibraltar. It is not known if the owner, Joe Lewis, a Bahamas-based British billionaire, was onboard, although it is stated that Aviva is both his home and his office – hence, Aviva is not one of those superyachts that can be chartered. She moved on Saturday to Thurlestone in the South Hams.
Joe Lewis is said to be worth between $7-$10 billion, so the (guesstimated) cost of £250m for Aviva is not likely to bother him too much – even when considering that the accepted wisdom is that a superyacht costs 10% of her capital cost to run per annum. Aviva is unusual in a couple of ways – she has a full-sized Padel court within her hull, and she seems not to have any facilities for a helicopter to land. The crew of 35 look after up to 16 guests in eight suites. She is 98m (322 ft) long and displaces nearly 5000 tons – about the same as a Type 23 frigate, like, the regularly seen here, HMS Portland.
Sunday visitor
Look out in The Sound tomorrow evening for the arrival of the Netherlands' ship Johan de Witt. She ship is equipped with a large helicopter deck and a dock for large landing craft, capable of carrying six NH90 NFH helicopters or four CH-47F Chinooks.
What is the realistic future for Drake’s Island?
Drake’s Island is back on the market - this time for £2 million. But what could anyone actually do with it?
Beagle Opinion by Andy Towcester
There are few property listings quite like it. For £2 million you can buy Drake's Island in Plymouth Sound — complete with a centuries-old fortress, tunnels, military buildings and some spectacular views. And, inevitably, the speculation has started again.
A luxury hotel? A billionaire's private retreat? A celebrity hideaway? (The Beagle can confirm that the recent tabloid headline about Tyson Fury being interested in buying it was complete and utter tosh.)
The hotel idea isn't entirely fanciful. Plans have previously been approved for a 43-bedroom hotel, with visitor facilities and the conversion of historic buildings.
But there is a rather important question. Who the heck would build it?
The £2 million asking price is only the beginning. Restoring an extraordinary but badly weathered historic site, providing electricity, water, heating, transport and all the other infrastructure required to operate an island hotel could cost many millions more.
So perhaps we should think more creatively. And perhaps Plymouth Council, English Heritage, the National Lottery, Babcock, the city's creative leaders and, heck, even Chris Dawson and Darcey Bussell, should all be involved and have a stake.
A maritime innovation centre, making use of Plymouth's growing reputation for marine technology? A university or research facility? A marine conservation and education centre? A performance area? A restaurant? All of the above...
The reality, of course, is that Drake's Island isn't an empty development site. It is a hugely important historic asset, with listed buildings and scheduled ancient monument features. Whatever happens will have to work with the heritage rather than against it.
That is why the next buyer faces a much bigger challenge than simply finding £2 million. They have to have a vision, and be able to answer:
What should Drake's Island become? Who is going to pay for its upkeep? And how can it become financially viable without losing what makes it special?
Plymouth has been talking about the island's potential for years. Perhaps this time, rather than another grand vision, what it needs is a realistic one.
Because the real prize isn't owning Drake's Island. It is defining its future.
- Carter Jonas is instructed by the Fixed Charge Receiver to seek offers in excess of £2,000,000 (Two Million Pounds) for the freehold interest in Drake's Island. See the sale details here
Read. Write. Yap. A new festival
A brand new literary festival is coming to the Royal William Yard. A programme of events, drop-ins and activities are happening throughout September.
It's called Read Write Yap: organisers say whether you're a passionate bookworm, a curious browser, or someone who just wants a space to sit down with a good story, there will be something for you.
Much of the festival is rooted in place and community: so local authors, independent booksellers, spoken word artists, and Plymouth's home-grown creatives all get a space.
A second-hand book stall pop-up shop opens in Arcade on September 1. And the month will close with a book fair - described as part market, part celebration.
BEAGLE NEWS IN BRIEF
🗞️ In case missed our midweek email, fencing has gone up around the former Register Office. The site is now more of an eyesore than it was previously, with debris, rotting food and drink, clothing and waste all left inside the compound. Meanwhile a new attempt is being made to win planning permission - this time for a nine-storey apartment block. Read our full report here
🗼St Lukes Hospice is preparing to auction its Guiding Light lighthouses with its 'Big Charity Auction' on October 1. Anyone interested is asked to pre-register at this web address: https://stlukesguidinglights.com/auction/
🏢 Work is due to start soon on the Civic Centre refurb. Plymouth Council is being urged to recommend awarding Morgan Sindell £7million for the first phase of the contract, which will see scaffolding go up on the Grade II listed tower in September.
🏉 And Plymouth Albion RFC caused a stir after players were spotted at Tinside Lido modelling and launching their new 2026/27 home and away kit
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