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Gypsy Moth IV)
Gipsy Moth IV is a 54ft ketch that Sir Francis Chichester commissioned specifically to race single handed around the globe racing against the times set by the clipper ships in the 19th Century.
She was the fourth boat he called Gipsy Moth. The name originated from the Gipsy Moth type of aircraft that Sir Francis completed pioneering work in aerial navigation techniques.
Gipsy Moth IV made maritime history in 1966-67 when Sir Francis completed the fastest solo circumnavigation in a small vessel, sailing from Plymouth to a stop over in Sydney, Australia and back via Cape Horn in just 274 days (226 days actual sailing time). In his writings Sir Francis complained about some of the handling characteristics of Gipsy Moth IV.
The boat had tiller steering which was very unusual for a yacht of this length. Tiller steering had to be used to allow for self steering equipment essential for the trip. Gipsy Moth IV was fitted with self steering equipment built using the design priciples established by Blondie Hasler
After the death of Sir Francis, Gipsy Moth IV was put on permanent display at Greenwich, England in a land locked purpose built dry dock near the Cutty Sark. The yacht was open to the public for many years but eventually due to general deterioration was permanently closed to visitors but remained on display at Greenwich.
Gipsy Moth IV remained undisturbed but slowly and surely rotting away until in 2004 she was purchased by the United Kingdom Sailing Academy (UKSA ) for the sum of £1 and taken to the famous Camper & Nicholson yard for restoration. The purchase is part of an ambitious plan by the UKSA , Yachting Monthly , and The Maritime Trust , to restore her to sail in the 2005 Blue Water Round the World Rally .
In 2005 the bill for retoration was reported in the yachting press to be estimated at £1,000,000.
Further reading
Gipsy Moth Circles the World, Francis Chichester. Hodder and Stoughton 1967.
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