The British Moth’s ancestor is the American Moth, which was
popular across America in the 1930′s, almost 1500 moths were
registered with the American Moth Boat Association. Based on
this, Sydney Cheverton designed a boat more suited to British
waters. The length of 11 ft. was retained, with the scow bow and
hard chine construction. The mast was increased to 20 ft.
carrying a sail of much higher aspect ratio but smaller overall
area (75 sq ft. to 63.5). The small cockpit with wide side decks
was retained to permit “dry” capsizing. The first British Moth
was built to this design in 1932. It was made of 3/8 inch
mahogany, on frames spaced at 12 in., the deck was 3/16 inch
thick, the centre plate a large triangular board. The mast and
boom were bamboo with the sail being laced on. The sail itself
carried four short battens and had very little roach. The
rigging was formidable for such a small boat; twin forestays and
a pair of shrouds on each side, as well as a backstay on
outriggers from the transom and a strike