FOURTEEN years of restoration work on a yacht that has spanned three centuries are nearing completion at Kempsey.

The 12 ton gaff cutter, Citara, now lying at Seaborne Yacht yard, should be ready for sea trials by Easter and set fair to sail the Atlantic in October.

Originally named Rover, the boat was built by Robert Aldous of Brightlingsea, Essex, in 1887 and was typical of many small cruising yachts built at the time.

With five sails and a rig spread of 931sq ft, Citara is 38ft long excluding the bowsprit, with a 9ft 8in beam and 6ft draught.

Built of larch planking on oak frames, with teak decks, the four-berth yacht was sailed regularly in the North Sea and English Channel by previous titled owners.

Rot had set in by the time Anthony Squire began restoring her in his back garden at Fernhill Heath, 100 years after she was built.

Mr Squire, now of Wells Road, Malvern, expected the work to take six months and cost about £10,000.

"Anyone who sets out to restore a yacht is off his rocker," he now admits, having lost count of the true cost of restoration.

But he says a brand new gaff cutter of this type would cost more than £200,000, with quality somewhat compromised.

"We have been working on her for 14 years, as finances permitted. She is a very expensive old lady, but no doubt she will be worth it," he said.

"She is probably the best living example of the gaff cutter, as she has been completely restored to exacting standards from the keel up.

"We are on the last lap, which includes commissioning her auxiliary engine, electrics, upholstery, rigging, new sails, as well as many licks of paint and varnish."

Now he and Danish skipper Jasper Olsen are looking for two intrepid souls to join them in sailing across the Atlantic in October and November 2002.

They plan to sail from the south coast to the Canary Islands and join a flotilla of up to 300 yachts sailing to Antigua.