FAST FACTS: Hurrica V, star of ‘The Great Gatsby’

Boats and yachts are no strangers to Hollywood. Many recreational vessels are featured in music videos. Blockbuster films or large television productions, such as ‘Miami Vice’ or ‘The Wolf of Wall Street,’ feature modern or classic yachts as part of the cast. The same could be said of Hurrican V, which starred in Baz Luhrmann’s 2013 film ‘The Great Gatsby.’

She was built in 1924 as a sailing yacht and later restored ahead of her appearance with Leonardo DiCaprio. Hurrican V, currently owned by Steve Gunns in Australia, has been a mainstay Down Under. The ketch was built at the W.M. Ford boatyard in Sydney and launched in March 1924 for William Oliver, a wool glazier in Melbourne.

The yacht was used recreationally until World War II, when she was recruited into the global conflict as a naval vessel in New Guinea.

After the war Hurrican V was rebuilt and re-rigged as a yacht. During her 92 years of life she survived war, two cyclones and neglect. Hurrican V is now fully restored with a 115-horsepower diesel engine, radar and chart plotter, autopilot capacity, and other modern amenities.

More information about the yacht can be found online at www.hurrica-v.com.