Gretel is a 12 Metre yacht that unsuccessfully challenged for the 1962 America's Cup.
History Gretel was ordered by Frank Packer to challenge for the 1962 America's Cup. Designed by Alan Payne, it was built by Lars Halvorsen Sons, Sydney, being launched on 19 February 1962 and christened nine days later at the Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron by Pattie Menzies.Challenge yacht to sale as Gretel Canberra Times 1 March 1962 page 32Gretel 1962: the hands-on challenge Afloat issue 423 July 2025 pages 34-38 It was defeated 1-4 by Weatherly in the America's Cup.Gretel Robbe & Berking It returned to Australia in December 1962.Gretel comes home Canberra Times 11 December 1962 page 40
After serving as a trial horse to Dame Pattie and Gretel II in the leadup to the 1967 and 1970 America's Cup, it was sold to Alan Bond as a trial horse for Southern Cross in the leadup to the 1974 America's Cup.Local yachtsman for Gretel II Port Lincoln Times 16 November 1972 page 3 In 1975 it was sold to former skipper Jock Sturrock who sailed it in the 1975 Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race. In 1977 ir was sold to Sydney property developer Bernard Lewis, who skiped it to a second placed finish on handicap in the 1980 Sydney to Hobart.
In 1982 it was sold and moved to the Whitsunday Islands as a charter vessel. It was sold in 2002 and shipped to Italy. In 2011 it was sold to Robbe & Berking, Flensburg, Germany, where as at June 2025, it remained awaiting restoration.
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