Jessica Watson's yacht to stay in Queensland

Jessica Watson on board her yacht Elle's Pink Lady. Photo / Supplied

Queensland has beaten international offers to snare the yacht Jessica Watson made history in as the youngest person to sail solo around the world.

Ella's Pink Lady will be a permanent exhibit at the Queensland Maritime Museum after the state and federal governments bought it for $300,000 (NZ$406,000).

Premier Anna Bligh said she wanted to make sure the yacht was kept in Queensland.

"The Pink Lady is now part of international sailing history and there were offers from overseas for this boat," Ms Bligh told reporters on Saturday.

"We wanted to make sure we kept it in Australia and frankly I wanted to keep it in Queensland.

"Jessica learnt all her nautical skills in the waters off our shores in Queensland.

"This is a Queensland and Australian icon and everyone will have a chance to see it for generations to come."

Ms Watson said she would visit the museum at South Bank to see her "friend".

"We were a team that got around the world," she said while launching Queensland's season of sailing at the Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron in Manly on Saturday.

"It means a huge amount to me that she will be staying here locally and guaranteed to be looked after hugely at the museum."

Federal Treasurer Wayne Swan joined Ms Bligh and Ms Watson for the announcement.

- AAP