Thunderstreak Finds New Owner in Peter Hall
The legendary Thunderstreak, built in 1963 for Tommy Sopwith by Dick Bertram’s renowned Bertram Boat Company in Miami, USA, has been acquired by Peter Hall of Bembridge, Isle of Wight. Hall, previously known for racing his classic 1986 27’ Hunton Mango Crazy and this season’s indomitable 34’ 1973 Cigarette Dry Martini, is set to take the helm of this iconic vessel.
Hugo Peel, the outgoing team leader, commented: “Thunderstreak has finished every race she started over the past six seasons, a record few competitors can match. As we retire from the sport, we are delighted that she has a new ‘curator’ in Peter Hall to carry on her legacy after this year’s Cowes-Poole-Cowes race.”
A Champion’s Legacy
Thunderstreak secured its third consecutive UK National Class 3e Championship in 2024 before coming ashore in Cowes for a well-earned retirement. “Simply, we had run out of trophies to win,” said Hugo Peel. “Team:Royal Yacht Squadron retired at the top of its game after five years of unprecedented racing success.” The Isle of Wight-based team, with a crew averaging over 70 years of age, delivered remarkable performances in a race-boat over 62 years old.
One for the Oldies!
Thunderstreak was the oldest boat competing in the GoGPS Cowes International Powerboat Festival, with Team:Royal Yacht Squadron also boasting the oldest driver and crew, averaging “north” of 71 years. All crew members are part of the Royal Yacht Squadron, enabling the vessel to race under the team’s prestigious banner.
“Priceless” Thunderstreak Sold
In an off-market transaction, Peter Hall approached Hugo Peel to enquire about racing Thunderstreak in the 2026 season. Hall remarked: “This race-boat has been a fierce competitor against my 27’ Hunton Mango Crazy over the past three years. We became very familiar with Thunderstreak’s stern as we raced neck-and-neck in nearly every event. Now, she’s mine, and we will campaign her in 2026 in races organised by UKOPRA and BPRC.”
Hugo Peel added: “Thunderstreak is a unique piece of marine history and a reliable, highly successful race-boat, winning countless trophies and awards because she finishes every time out. Peter Hall and his crew, including Terry, are now her new ‘curators’. With their experience racing classic boats like Dry Martini and Mango Crazy, they are perfectly suited to continue her championship-winning legacy.”
John Moore has a longstanding involvement in event organisation and powerboat racing journalism. He organised the historic Cowes–Torquay–Cowes races between 2010 and 2013 and was actively involved with British offshore racing from 2017 until 2025.
In 2017, Moore founded Powerboat Racing World, a digital platform providing global powerboat racing news, insights, and event coverage.
He is now Editor of Powerboat.News, continuing to contribute to the sport’s media landscape with in-depth reporting and analysis.