Please select your home edition
Edition

B14s at the Allspars Final Fling

by Crispin Taylor 18 Oct 2023 13:49 BST 14-15 October 2023
B14s at the Allspars Final Fling © Paul Gibbins Photography

The 7th Final Fling was held in Plymouth Sound, organised by the Royal Western Yacht Club and sponsored by Allspars. Both hosts and sponsors did a great job on and off the water with great courses in challenging conditions.

7 B's travelled to the event to sail in the fast handicap fleet for boats of PY<1000. The fleet consisted of 4000's, cherubs, a Nacra 15, Merlin Rocket, int Canoe and a 400.

Saturday's forecast was for gusty NW conditions with a big drop in temperature. Three windward leeward races were held in wind strengths of between 15 and 23 knots.

In the class B14 race one, recent world El Campione's Mark Watts and MJ (797) sailed off over the horizon with Barnsie and Kathy (799) finishing 2 minutes later with Crispy & Gi (789) 30 seconds later for the third place.

Paul and Guy (756) & next followed by Tony & Jamie (788), Wayne & Claire (766) and Amy & Dave (784) mastering very gusty and challenging conditions.

Race two 797 passed 799 on the last beat during a large, one of many wind shifts to take the win by 20 seconds and 789 1.5 minutes after. 788 4th, 766 5th with 756 and 784 retiring from the race.

Race three was quite fruity, winds veering more Northerly and solid 20+ gusts. 797 pulled off another masterclass of strong wind sailing leading from start to finish with 789 2nd and 799 3rd. 766 4th with the rest of the fleet firmly in the retirement camp, along with a number of other fast handicap boats.

Sunday dawned cold and with very little breeze so the lengthy postponement was fortunate for a number of brave souls from the B14 massif who had ventured into Annabel's for a few (lots) and were seen heading home at 4am.

Racing eventually got under way with around an hours delay in 6-8 knots ENE and it was 799's turn to take the win and demonstrate excellent speed to finish a minute ahead of 797 with 789 now with Super Crew (Jack) Solly, a Starcross junior in third. 756 in 4th, 788 5th, 784 6th and 766 7th

Race five was light and shifty. 789 with Super Solly nailed the beat and led down the run only to remember that it wasn't a windward leeward course so dropped the kite and managed to stay ahead at the wing mark with the rest held back by a helping International Canoe, leading for the next round until the B14 Jack Russell, AKA 799 pipped them on the line with a 4 second win. 797 3rd, 756 4th, 766 5th, and 784 6th with 788 returning to shore for a much needed Alka-Seltzer!

Race six was the long-distance race around the cans in the sound and all to play for with 799 having closed down 797 in the results. Who would reign supreme in the B14s and possibly the Final Fling as well. 799 having overstood the windward mark, beaten there by the International Canoe, would this upset the final order?

799 just held out 789 to the windward mark extending down the run to pass the International Canoe only to lose out on the next reach. Rounding 30 seconds behind and leading the B14 charge on the way to the line off the club, could they catch the leader and win both events outright. Confusion reigned at the last mark, which was it? The one on the course board or the one directed by the lead rib?

799 having sailed to the correct course mark had to make a u turn to the 'new' mark and was passed for a short time by 789 who could be heard chucking from a mile away!

799 chasing the International Canoe, ran out of track. On arrival ashore, the Race Committee, after some light-hearted feedback from team 'Jack Russell' aka 799, awarded redress to their position prior to the incident. At the finish amongst the B14s 799 won from 789 2nd with 797 narrowly beaten to 3rd. 784 4th, 766 5th, and 756 6th.

Special mention to Wayne and Claire in only their second TT event and to Amy as the only female helm.

Scores on the doors:

B14 class event
1st 799
2nd 797
3rd 789
4th 756

Fast handicap
1st B14 797
2nd B14 799
3rd Laser 400 4281
4th B14 789

Full results can be found here.

Crispy, class chair met a Phantom sailor on Sunday who said that he'd always wanted to sail a B14 and that they looked great boats... but were fragile, that said, pre Ovington B's are still around represent great value £ for knot value.

It's true that prior to a redesign that Dave Ovington undertook in Y2K, B's could be temperamental with poles and racks being the vulnerable elements. These have been long fixed through evolution of parts with Ovington and Seavolution, and the B14 is a strong and robust boat well used to 30 knot winds in the right hands, requiring little or no maintenance, ask Nick Craig!

It's been a great year for the class, the Facebook page is busy and has seen a significant increase in new members, the traveller's series with 6 events including National and Euro-World championships has seen close racing and camaraderie.

With another full TT calendar for 24, shared nationals with i14's in Torbaydos in June and the Worlds in Sydney, January 2025 now is a great time to put your hat in the B14 ring; you won't regret it!

All images are available at paulgibbinsphotography.pixieset.com/finalfling2023

Related Articles

B14 Europeans and Nationals at Torquay
Four days of 'windy' for the fleet in the English Riviera Royal Torbay Yacht Club welcomed the B14s to the English Rivera for what promised to be a full on four days of sailing in the stunning waters of Torbay in south Devon. Posted on 20 Jun
B14 Europeans and UK Nationals form guide
Jam or cream first? The B14s are heading West to Royal Torbay for their championship sharing this fabulous venue with the International 14s from 13- 16th June. The weather gods are up to their usual tricks with big winds and waves forecast for 3 of the 4-day event. Posted on 10 Jun
B14s at the Weymouth skiff open
Strategies to keep clear air were as important as wind shifts and bends Great race management, eight races, a good moderate breeze and sunshine was the reward for the B14s at the WPNSA Skiff Open, 11th and 12th May. The B14s started with the Cherubs, 4000s and ISO, with separate results and prizes for the four fleets. Posted on 14 May
B14 Open at Stokes Bay
Racing alongside the other skiff classes in a shifty and gusty breeze Ten B14s entered the event with one dropping out at the last moment due to crew issues. As always, Dan Vincent and the excellent ashore and afloat team had everything working like clockwork managing 70 skiffs from 5 classes. Posted on 24 Apr
B14s at the RYA Dinghy & Watersports Show
Although small in number the class is in a very positive place We might be one of the smaller classes at the show but the B14 class was punching above their weight once again. With 2 boats on the stand and the very professional backdrop we welcomed many existing, past and potential sailors to the stand. Posted on 18 Mar
B14 stand at the RYA Dinghy Show
Why are they bringing an older boat to display? The B14 class association will be at stand E20 with two boats on show, a nearly new Seavolution B14, 799 and an Ovington built B14, 769 which was class winner at the battle of the B's event at the Starcross Steamer in 2024. Posted on 15 Feb
Battle of the B14s at the Starcross Steamer
A tense tale of sandbanks and a whippet possessed With the 2024 Starcross Steamer selling out within 24 hours of opening it was promising to be a busy one. We woke to beautiful sunshine and blue skies with a Westerly breeze coming over the clubhouse. Posted on 6 Feb
B14s in 2023 - It's a wrap!
A cracker of a season with seven events, including Europeans & Worlds at Lake Garda The UK and European B14s have enjoyed a cracker of a season with seven events including the European and World Championships at Lake Garda. Posted on 13 Dec 2023
Allspars Final Fling
67 boats take to Plymouth Sound for the 6th edition of this event The Allspars Final Fling, now in its sixth year, saw records broken. With 70 entries and 67 boats taking to the water for the two-day event, the Royal Western Yacht Club welcomed over 100 competitors from all over the country. Posted on 18 Oct 2023
Skiff Fest 24 on Port Philip Bay Preview
Three high performance dinghy fleets will join forces in an Australian first at Safety Beach The International B14 Association of Australia is pleased to confirm the upcoming 'Skiff Fest 24' regatta to be held on the beautiful waters of Port Philip Bay at Safety Beach Sailing Club. Posted on 16 Oct 2023