In 2014, a vessel known as 'Peggy' was excavated from a cellar in Castletown on the Isle of Man. Built between 1789 and 1793, she's an armed clinker-built schooner rigged vessel that was originally built for politician, merchant and banker, George Quayle. You can see her proudly displayed in Castletown today.

While Peggy is sadly unlikely to take to the waters again, you may be surprised to learn that there are yachts still sailing that are over 100 years old!

Madiz (built 1902)

Credit: Wikipedia

Originally built at Ailsa Shipyards in Scotland, Madiz holds the accolade of being the oldest steel or iron vessel to be classified by the Lloyds Register. Designed by G. L. Watson, she's a privately owned 57m twin screw steel yacht with a truly illustrious history. Madiz was originally named Triton, and served as a Royal Patrol Yacht in the Royal Navy during both World Wars. She was involved in the trials carried out for the precursor to the radar. She was also used in an episode of Agatha Christie's Poirot, filmed for Granada Television.

Over the years, Madiz has seen many name changes (Osprey, Hiniesta and others), becoming Madiz in 1972. The Prince Trading Corp in Liberia now owns her.

Delphine (1921)

Built in 1921 at the Great Lakes Engineering Works, for Horace Dodge of automotive fame, Delphine is the largest US-built steam yacht still in existence today. At 78.5 metres long, she is registered as a passenger ship and is still chartered for parties and other excursions. A fire in 1926 sank her, but fortunately she was salvaged and restored - and in World War II, she was daubed in war paint and renamed Dauntless, serving as flagship to the top admiral of the US Navy.

Delphine has changed hands multiple times over the years, and in 1997 was sold at scrap metal prices. However, $60m was spent restoring her to her 1921 glory. In 2003, she was rechristened Delphine and is now moored in Marseille.

Haida G (1929)

The impressive 71.1m Haida G was originally built for millionaire Max C. Fleischmann by Krupp Germaniawerft. The vessel's strength - designed so that she could be used for pleasure cruises, scientific trips and fishing excursions off the Californian coast - is no doubt one reason why she still conquers the seas today.

Only recently renamed Haida G, she has been known under many guises over the years including Dona Amelia and Rosenkavalier. Like the other yachts in our selection, she was also called into wartime service in 1941 under the name Argus and was responsible for patrolling the San Francisco Bay as part of the 12th Naval District in 1941. She was sold in 1946, going through a string of owners including an Egyptian cotton magnate and a US industrialist. Her home is now George Town in the Cayman Islands. She still charters today.

With over 70,000 products in stock, Phoenix Hydraulics specialises in a wide range of hydraulic components including hydraulic cylinders, filtration, power packs, valves and more – all ready for immediate delivery. Contact us to find out more.