[sgunns]

Gentlemen,
Thanks for your input. It appears the long way around gybe may be best with sea room.

The yacht is Hurrica V, designed by Nicholson in 1922 and built in Sydney (Australia) and launched 1924 as a cruising yacht for the 72 year old owner. She has spent all of her life on the east coast of Australia.

Research at the NMMuseum in London has everything except deck and sail/rig plans. Early photos show her as a gaff ketch rig, but she was bermudan ketch when purchased.

Our restoration costs have gone mad to insanity, to the point where we have sought drastic cost cutting. She was recently advertised for sail in Classic Boat, but I did not really anticipate a sale, and the work continues at the yard. The mizzen mast was the first to go and Gerard Dijkstra in Holland is designing the new gaff rig.

We looked at a bermdan sail plan but she had lost all her character, and the bowsprit had to be cropped to suit the balance. She would look a bit like Halloween. So we decided to go the whole hog and do the gaffer with topsail. But after the comments, I wonder if I am doing the right thing.

I will try and post a photo, but am not sure how at this moment.

Thanks for the input.

Steve