The owner of one of Bermuda’s oldest handcrafted sloops is looking for someone to take the helm of the historic vessel and help write the next chapter in its 150-year history.

Hugh Watlington poured his heart and soul into Shamrock in 2004 when he bought the crumbling sloop and embarked on a major restoration project to give it a new lease of life.

Mr Watlington, 63, is now hoping to find someone with a passion for sailing and an appreciation of the boat’s heritage to buy it and look after it for the next generation.

“I now have to pass the mantle on to someone else and am putting her up for sale at a low price to the right person,” he said.

“I would hate to see her put in a museum at this stage, as she is in excellent shape, has new sails and has just come off the slip.”

Mr Watlington bought Shamrock from Somerset resident Joffrey Pitman in 2005 and began a major refit with the help of US shipwright Manny Palermo as the boat had been left in the water for some time.

He spent about $60,000 on the project and for the last 12 years has used the sloop for charity events and photo shoots as well as his leisure.

It is believed Shamrock dates back to the late 19th century, when she was owned by Horace Gibbons from St George’s who used it to fish.

“Shamrock has a very interesting history and we believe she was built around 1870,” Mr Watlington said.

“A rebuild was done on her about 40 years ago by Joffrey Pitman, who did a lot of research on Bermuda’s inshore sloops until he found this one.

“We understand she is the last one with a rig in her and her mast was a crooked cedar tree.

“Before that, she was bought by an Englishman by the name of Colin Cooper from St George’s resident Horace Gibbons.”

If you would like to contact Mr Watlington, e-mail hw88@me.com