At last there is a lottery that seems to offer great odds – a raffle with a maximum of 200 tickets, the prize of which is a 41-foot classic yacht to sail away. Virgin Islands Search and Rescue (VISAR) are holding the raffle on 2 June during their Waterworld fundraising event in Leverick Bay, North Sound, Virgin Gorda, in order to raise funds for a new boathouse for their Atlantic 21 lifeboat. Often referred to as the RNLI of the British Virgin Islands, VISAR is a wholly charitably funded, volunteer organisation serving those who use the waters around the BVIs.

The yacht, called Hannah B, has been donated by Mr and Mrs Mike Curry of Nashville, Illinois. Originally built in 1959, she is a classic Rhodes Bounty II sloop, built in GRP and with an LOA of 40ft 10in (12.6m). Her long overhangs give her a waterline length of 28ft (8.67m) and she has a beam of 10ft 3in (3.17m). With Doyle sails dating from 2000, and fresh Awlgrip paintwork, Hannah B is offered in immaculate condition, and has been valued at US$55-60,000.

Tickets for the raffle cost US$500 each, of which there will be a minimum of 100, and a maximum of 200 – which represents great odds. In the unlikely event that the target number of 100 tickets is not reached, all monies will be returned. The draw itself is expected to take place at around 1630 on 2 June.

Tickets can be purchased or reserved by contacting Mrs Alexandra Greenspon at:

VISAR, PO Box 3042, Road Town, Tortola, BVI. Tel: 1 284 494 4357. Fax: 1 284 494 6613.

Most forms of payment, including VISA and Mastercard, are accepted. More details can be found on their website at www.visar.org