International 14 - buyer's guide

Andy Loukes looks at what your money can get you in the leading skiff development class

£3,500-£5,500

This is where to start for beginners to twin wire asymmetric boats. The cheapest current rules boats are the Ovi 1s (see above). Modified old rules boats don't really compete and it might even be worth un-converting them so they can race in the Penultimate fleet. The Ovi 1 is an excellent first 14.

It is relatively stable and forgiving and can be very fast in flat water, with a good crew you could see an Ovi 1 win an open meeting. They can be difficult to keep in the groove in waves.

The Morrison 8 is slightly narrower on the waterline with a significant double chine. The lack of foredeck makes them very comfortable for the crew in light airs and easy to access the fittings at the front. A Morrison 8 was 6th in the 2002 Europeans so the boats are still fast sailnumbers go from around GBR1395 - GBR1435.

Ovi 2s also appear in this price range the first sailnumber being GBR1405. They have no foredeck and are narrower than the Ovi 1 there is no reason to believe that these aren't as fast as the Morrison 8 and in flat water will compete with any 14.

Below: An Ovi 2...



Below: A Morrison 8