Classic Boat Museum

The Classic Boat Museum operates across two locations, displaying approximately 90 watercraft including sailing yachts, motorboats, and rescue vessels within its boathouse facility. The accompanying gallery holds an extensive collection of maritime documents and photographs.

The museum was established in 1996 and preserves among other items the Airborne Lifeboat Mark 1, used during World War II for air-sea rescue operations. This historical collection documents the development of air rescue technology and its importance to maritime operations of that era.

The collection displays items from famous sailors and their voyages, presented alongside books and photographs that tell the stories of individual maritime adventures. Visitors can see personal equipment and documents directly connected to well-known ocean explorers.

Visiting requires flexibility in planning since the two locations operate on different schedules and are not open every day. It is advisable to check ahead which section will be accessible on your intended visit day.

The collection contains the Vigia, an English pleasure yacht from 1872 built in Cowes that remains seaworthy today and ranks among the oldest vessels of its kind still sailing. This boat is maintained and can still take to water, making it a living link to the past.

Location: Newport and Carisbrooke

Inception: 1996

Address: The Boat Shed, 117a Medina Yard, Thetis Road, Cowes, Isle of Wight, PO31 7DJ

Website: https://classicboatmuseum.com

GPS coordinates: 50.70460,-1.29060

Latest update: December 13, 2025 11:44