British International 14 fleet set for a remarkable year
by Isabella Hartland 9 Apr 2016 11:16 BST
9 April 2016
Geelong Worlds fleet © Rhenny Cunningham
2016 is promising to be a remarkable year for the GBR International 14 fleet. After a dominant performance at the last five World Championships, the GBR fleet have been the nation to beat on the global circuit, but this year the game is getting even bigger, with 9 new boats in build or on the water from a variety of different designs/builders. This new-building frenzy, which would be the envy of many manufacturer one designs, means that there has also been a flurry of activity on the second-hand market. In addition, a group of new teams are emerging in the fleet, who will push the competition to higher levels than have ever been seen before, and enjoy the extraordinary longevity and value that a good used i14 brings.
In the case of the new boats, the new Cuckoo's Nest design by Dan Holman is the one that has got everyone talking. With its striking bow design and unusual multi chine, low volume hullform, it looks very different, and we all wait with baited breath to see how it performs. The first production boat coming out of Composite Craft in Cowes will be sailing straight into the capable hands of four-time World Champion Archie Massey and crew Harvey Hillary - it's going to be enough to make the front of the fleet fear for their lives.
On top of this is a glut of existing designs with new boats in build. Andy Fitzgerald, class stalwart and already owner of a rapid Bieker 5 design has put his hand in his pocket for a new boat (his 15th International 14!). Identical to the all-conquering Dave Hollom designed Crumpet and Scrumpet of Glen Truswell & Sam Pascoe fame, but with one significant difference - the hull has been manufactured in China as part of an Australian led multinational effort to keep the costs down, a very interesting option for new teams looking for a proven fast boat straight out of the box.
The other current fast design is the Bieker 6, showing great pace through the GJW Direct SailJuice Series in the hands of Neale Jones and Ed Fitzgerald, and with new boats in build for Chris Turner and Andy Partington, these Ovington Boats-built weapons are on the pace and will be tough to beat.
Outside of the above teams there are also new boats for Katie Nurton and Alistair Cattanach (Hollom / Composite Craft), Dan Holman (Cuckoo's Nest / Composite Craft/Holman) and also the boat most recently seen on the RYA Dinghy Show stand, the prototype Cuckoo's Nest which was built by Falmouth Marine School for Cornish sailmaker Peter Crockford. Peter's boat utilised components from his previous boat to keep the costs down while providing a rapid (and evil looking) boat on the water.
Down in Weymouth, class stalwart Richard Woof, builder of champion 14s and 18 foot skiffs for the likes of Robert Greenhalgh, has a complete nomex cored B5 G1. The same design as Archie Massey's 4 x worlds winning boat, that had been built for AC / Extreme 40 sailor Alister Richardson to win the worlds in Carnac. Alister now has professional commitments to honour, so this brand new weapon is for sale. Anyone looking for a turnkey new boat with worlds winning ability and zero time should contact Richard Woof Marine in Portland.
Adding to his collection of iconic 14s, Richard Woof has recently completed a trial wide wing International 14. Since its inception in the 1930, the International 14 class has never been content to sit on its laurels or ignore potential improvements. The wide wing boat, an immaculately finished product based on a 12 year old plug for the RMW12 design, features removable racks with overall beam up from class maximum 6' to 8'2", and racks extending 2' behind the transom. The intent of the boat is to quantify performance and handling gains, as well as any structural issues that may arise. The boat is currently being evaluated and developed by members of the fleet, expect to hear plenty from those lucky enough to take it for a spin!
The upshot of all of this?
Not only is it going to be an epic year on the water with the historic POW Week at Hayling Island SC and the World Championships close by in Carnac, France, but it also means that there will imminently be some more fantastic second-hand boats appearing on the market, allowing new teams to plug and play at the front of the fleet. Archie Massey's 4 time world champion boat & Katie Nurton's sistership are great examples of this.
Additionally, we have a number of returning teams: multiclass champions Roger Gilbert & Ben McGrane- reuniting with the dream of overcoming the perennial bridesmaid role at the i14 World Championships, and Ian Turnbull & Adam Ovington being two other notable returnees coming back to mix it up at the front of the fleet.
To wrap up this year's fantastic series, the key events will be covered by VR Sport.tv, so be prepared to have to put your earphones in at work for some epic footage of these things driving dinghy sailing to its limits.
For more information on everything 14 visit www.gbr.international14.org or our Facebook page.
There's even more to come... watch this space!