GYPSY reaching in over 30 knots of wind on the Derwent River in Hobart Tasmania, in 2006.

Images(4)

General Arrangement of ARETHUSA by Walter Reeks from the 1911 Rudder magazine, the plan used by…

Gypsy

Vessel numberHV000107

Sail NumberB 11

Sail NumberC 5

Builder Wyn Tatnell and William Ball

Designer Walter Reeks (1861-1925)

Designer Alfred Blore

Date1914

DimensionsVessel Dimensions: 10.97 m x 9.14 m x 3.2 m x 1.37 m x 2.74 m, 6.89 tonnes (36 ft x 30 ft x 10.5 ft x 4.5 ft x 9 ft, 7 tons)

DescriptionThe 1911 issues of Rudder magazine (USA) contained a design for a 41 foot long cruising yawl by Walter Reeks of Sydney, NSW. The information published included a sailplan and lines plan, and this was scaled down by about 18% by Hobart designer Alfred Blore to become a 36 foot long hull. The keel arrangement was altered to reduce draft and to include a centreboard.

Wyn Tatnell and Sydney Ball built GYPSY for Mr. R.S Watson at their Norfolk Bay yard on the Derwent River in Tasmania. It was launched in 1914 but not finally completed until after the First World War. In 1919 it was sold to Syd Knight, and has remained in his family's ownership ever since, passing through 3 generations.

As noted in 'Those that Survive' by Graeme Broxam, GYPSY remains in almost original condition. Only minor changes to fittings, ballast and rig have happened along with the usual necessary repairs that come with its age. The engine has been replaced and at this time had new Dacron sails instead of the cotton suit originally made for the yacht. The hull is Huon pine construction, typical for a Tasmanian hull. It began its life with an 8 hp Sterling petrol engine, this was replaced in 1956 by a Clae marinised FJ Holden car engine, then a Volvo Penta diesel was installed in the 1970s, and now it has a Nanni diesel as auxiliary.

Another notable achievement is that GYPSY has had an annual 10 day or so cruise every summer along the Tasmanian coastline. GYPSY has also been a regular entry at the Australian Wooden Boat festival held in Hobart every second year since 1994. With its original gaff rig, construction and layout GYPSY stands out as an excellent example of a typical 1920s cruising yacht. GYPSY has also proven to be a fast yacht, having taken first place in the cruising division of the Hobart Regatta in 1925, 1927, 1929, 1930 and 1932.

July 2023 update: GYPSY received a new suit of sails to mark the 100th year of ownership by the Knight family, with no change of rig.
SignificanceThe yawl GYPSY is wooden cruising yacht built in Tasmania. It was adapted from a design by Sydney Naval architect Walter Reeks scaled down by Alfred Blore, well known in Tasmania for many designs of his own and other vessel draughting and consulting work. GYPSY remains in original condition and has been owned by the same family since 1919. Every year it has particiapted in the Hobart regatta and also made a 10 day family cruise.