Originally named Moccasin, she is the 12th Cal 40 built. Under her original ownership, she raced extensively on the west coast in the mid 1960s, including the 1965 and 1967 TransPacs. She was restored to a very high standard around 2009 in the SF Bay area and renamed Gone With The Wind. She won her class in the 2009 Big Boat Series and was brought east the following year for the 2010 Bermuda Race.
We purchased her in 2020 and enjoy every moment spent on board.
It’s amazing how much Bill Lapworth got right in 1963. The Cal 40 remains an excellent performer and is a joy to sail with timeless good looks.
2023 update:
This year we were contacted by a woman whose father was a frequent crew member on the boat in the 1960s. She gave us a crew shirt worn by him in the 1966 LA-Mazatlan Race. We’re are pleased to be able to reunite the boat with this cool artifact.
It’s clear you enjoy your Cal 40. We chartered one with seven college friends in the Caribbean during a windy spring vacation in the 70s. It was a great boat and we thrashed past every other boat we came across with ease. Have you read this set of ideas about ‘upgrading’ the design into a “Cal 4040” version. It proposes some interesting ideas: https://stephenswaring.com/the-cal-4040/
Hah!
I have read that, an interesting proposal: modify or preserve. Just about any 60 year old design could be “improved”, but should it be? I also race Thistles and Lightnings, so you can guess my answer 🙂
I completely “get” the so-called Spirit of Tradition designs, but i believe older objects, particularly ones of historic significance, are best appreciated in their original form. Most things are a trade off, but I’m drawn to iconic designs. I always come back to my Telecaster and a grilled cheese sandwich!
Best!