Sorted!

International 14 class lay down the law on future developments

In a recently completed global vote, the International 14s have taken some key decisions over the future of the class. This has put an end to the last couple of years of uncertainty, during which various proposals to change the rules have been made and in some cases, trialled.

It has now been decided NOT to change the class rules, other than the introduction of a restriction intended to prevent the emergence of fully-hydrofoiled boats (while allowing continued use of rudder T-foils or variations thereof). This will pre-empt some undoubtedly interesting, but potentially expensive, extreme development routes, but will otherwise allow continued active development within a stable rules framework.

Boats built to the current rules but now a few years old (such as those which have won the last two Worlds) will continue to be competitive. And this all means that this could be a great time to get into the class!

The 14s have been discussing for a couple of years now potential changes to the class rules - notably over whether to increase the width of the boats (to further increase power), or to allow wings to extend aft of the transom (to allow the boats to be driven harder downwind). A further dimension was added to this debate with the emergence of variable angle of attack rudder hydrofoils, and with experiments in Australia with a fully hydrofoiled boat. Although clearly a clever and innovative development, hydrofoils raised concern over future development costs and obsolescence of existing boats.

Decisions were needed - and have now been made through the class ballot. The key points decided were:

· NOT to increase the width of the boats, or to allow wings to extend aft of the hull; and
· to continue to allow rudder hydrofoils, with some room for further experimentation, but to put limits in place to prevent the emergence of fully hydrofoiled boats

The class also decided not to proceed with a proposed decrease in hull weight.

These decisions continue the stability of the 14 class rules, which have remained substantially unchanged since alterations associated with amalgamation with the Australian and New Zealand 14 foot skiffs in 1996. Within that framework, development has continued apace – note the trends to narrower, winged hulls, the development of flexi-top masts, and the introduction of the rudder hydrofoils.

But there are now many boats built to the post-1996 rules which already reflect these developments, which are highly competitive, and which are now becoming available on the secondhand market for very reasonable prices.

It’s a good time to get into 14s. There are good boats available at good prices. There’s a combined European Championship and Prince of Wales Cup Week next year at Hayling Island - one of the first major events to be held at what will then be perhaps the UK's primary small boat sailing location.

And after that, a World Championships in Japan, to which two or three container loads of British boats have already stated their intention to go, to sample the famous Japanese hospitality. So see that ‘for sale’ list and you too could next year be sampling the delights of adjusting a rudder hydrofoil while twin-wiring under an unlimited-area asymmetric in one of the world’s most innovative, challenging and just plain fun racing sailboats!