Goss 'Mystery' at boating regatta

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More than 80 classic yachts are taking part in Plymouth Regatta

The West Country sailor Pete Goss has been showing off at a Plymouth festival the wooden fishing boat he hopes will carry him to Australia.

The Cornish lugger, Spirit of Mystery, was launched in June.

Mr Goss plans to set off on his voyage, along with several family members, in October.

He said the Plymouth Regatta was a first for him and he was enjoying being part of a classic wooden boat rally full of "interesting characters".

I've found myself amongst this really friendly family Pete Goss

More than 80 Classic yachts have arrived on Plymouth's waterfront for the event.

Organisers hope thousands of visitors will turn out to see the historic vessels and watch them racing.

Speaking from the deck of Spirit of Mystery, Pete Goss said: "This is a first for me.

"I've never had an old wooden boat... I've found myself amongst this really friendly family with all these old boats and interesting characters."

Fellow sailor Andrew Demaine said Plymouth's horseshoe-shaped Sutton Harbour was the "perfect venue" for people to walk along the quayside looking at the boats.

Pete Goss said he has never had an old wooden boat before

Pete Goss' trip to Australia was inspired by seven Cornishmen who voyaged almost 12,000 miles from Newlyn to Melbourne in Australia in 1854.

Their open Mounts Bay lugger, Mystery, made the epic journey in 116 days.

In October Mr Goss, 46, his son Eliot, 14, brother Andy, 42, and brother-in-law Mark will set sail in a vessel that is as close a replica as possible to the original.

The family connection is also a tribute to the original sailors, who were all related.

Like them, the Goss crew will be relying on just a sextant and the stars to navigate, first to Cape Town in South Africa and then to Melbourne.

The naming ceremony for "Spirit of Mystery" will take place later this month.