New build bonanza

Much activity in the UK International 14 fleet

The GBR International 14 fleet is currently the one to beat after dominant performances in the last five World Championships, but this year the game is getting even bigger, with nine new boats in build or on the water from a variety of different designs/builders.

This new-building frenzy means that there has also been a flurry of activity on the second-hand market. In addition, a group of new teams are emerging who will push the competition to higher levels than have ever been seen before.

In the case of the new boats, the new Cuckoo's Nest design by Dan Holman is most talked about. With its striking bow design and unusual multi chine, low volume hull form, it looks very different. 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.

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, his boat has one significant difference - the hull has been manufactured in China as part of an Australian-led multinational effort to keep the costs down - an interesting option for new teams looking for a proven fast boat straight out of the box.

The other current fast design is the Ovington Boats-built Bieker 6, that has already proved itself in the hands of Neale Jones and Ed Fitzgerald, with new boats currently in build for Chris Turner and Andy Partington.

In addition 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.

In Weymouth, class stalwart Richard Woof, builder of champion 14s and 18ft skiffs for the likes of Robert Greenhalgh, has a complete Nomex-cored B5 G1. The same design as Archie Massey’s four time world championship winning boat, that had been built for AC / Extreme 40 sailor Alister Richardson with the aim of winning this year's World championship in Carnac. Richardson now has professional commitments to honour, so this brand new weapon is for sale.

 
Adding to his collection of iconic 14s, 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 6ft to 8ft2in, and racks extending 2ft 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 Championship in Carnac, France, but it also means that there will imminently be some more top secondhand boats appearing on the market, allowing new teams to get on the water and be competitive in record time, Archie Massey’s boat and Katie Nurton's sistership being examples.

Additionally, the class has a number of returning teams: multiclass champions Roger Gilbert and Ben McGrane are reuniting with the dream of overcoming the perennial bridesmaid role at the i14 World Championships, while Ian Turnbull and Adam Ovington are two other notable returnees.