Skipper 14 Dinghy - Any Good?

That sounds like it could be fun /forums/images/graemlins/ooo.gif I could be tempted to come and partake in a little silliness being as I am a 44 year old going on 14 /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Whilst I think of it, do you, or anyone else for that matter, know of any good places from the Wash southwards, to launch, that are not mega tidal? I launched a few times from Cley next the Sea, which was great as the tide hardly goes out there, BUT, you need the arms and legs of Popeye to get back up that shingle beach….!
 
We used to launch our on a shingle beach using a large fender as a roller. Worked well, but really you still need 2 people+, especially getting up the high tide mark. If you have something to clip on to at the top you could always set up a small hand winch, the sort you get on a trailer. Would still use skiis or something though otherwise you will be putting a new bottom on her!
 
Brilliant idea! I’d not thought of a large fender. I can see how that would work. Last year I chopped a couple of 8’x4’ sterling boards in half, laid them on the shingle and wheeled the launch trailer over them. It worked, but it was still hard work!

Ideally what would be good is somewhere that has got a launch ramp which you can use regardless of the tide, so you can come and go as you please without the superhuman effort, after a pleasant day, of getting the dinghy back up the beach and onto the back of the car. Does such a place exist I wonder?
 
Beer beach in Devon is very steep, with ankle-breaking pebbles. The local SC has obtained a bunch of old industrial conveyor belts which they lay over the beach to provide 'runways'. I think there's a winch at the top as well, but there are usually enough bored holiday makers around to give you a shove.
 
I’ve looked at this site before, last summer actually, when I was trying to find somewhere, but they only list sailing clubs and the like, whereas there must be good places to sail from that require “local knowledge”, I’m hoping I will find somewhere or someone can give me a steer as to where there is such a place.

Cley next the Sea is great apart from that haul up the beach, its torturous on the arm, legs and back! Holkam bay would be fantastic, but the nearest you can park is a mile from the water, with fences and steps along the way, so that’s out of the question. Wells is always MEGA busy and parking is an issue… and so it goes on…..!
 
Re rigging Skipper 14

I am pleased to here the good words about the Skipper 14. I am about to resurrect one from years of it sitting idle. Does anyone know where I might find an owners manuals or rigging information on the Skipper 14 ?
 
Skipper 14

I have just bought a skipper 14 off the web. Boat, trailer, sails etc all in good order, however its not rigged, i.e. with blocks and pulleys for the gunter rig or the kicking strap or the main sheet. If I am been honest I am struggling to get my head around rigging it. Do you have any diagrams or photos of whats needed to rig this?
Thanks
 
There's a choice of Bermudan or gunter rigs, both with un-stayed masts and very simple to set up. This is mine with a borrowed Mirror dinghy jib.


picture.php
 
Turkey said:
I am pleased to here the good words about the Skipper 14. I am about to resurrect one from years of it sitting idle. Does anyone know where I might find an owners manuals or rigging information on the Skipper 14 ?
Click to expand...

blueberry said:
I have just bought a skipper 14 off the web. Boat, trailer, sails etc all in good order, however its not rigged, i.e. with blocks and pulleys for the gunter rig or the kicking strap or the main sheet. If I am been honest I am struggling to get my head around rigging it. Do you have any diagrams or photos of whats needed to rig this?
Thanks
Click to expand...

I have one of these and I have what may be the "owners manual" - more of a slim booklet with pictures and diagrams that looks like it came with the boat originally. A delightfully dated writing style!

I can scan it and send it in PDF to anyone who wants a copy but I am not sure hw to do that through this forum. So if someone can tell me how to I will see what I can do.

I rigged mine for the first time today and it seemed fairly straightforward.
 
To all you Skipper and Minisail owners......
I maintain the wooden boat that belongs to the chap who produced and sold the Minisprint, Minisail and Skipper boats.

He told me that they designed the early skippers to be car toppable, so made them very light.
They then found that most owners we putting them on trailers and filling them with camping gear, and this obviously did some damage.
The later ones they made thicker.

I shall tell him about this thread and I am sure he will be tickled pink to hear all the positive views after all this time.
 
Lakesailor said:
Certainly not very well built. This one is cracked due to being sat on the trailer in the wrong spot and filling with water.
I ground back the crack and looked inside (between the skins) to see large lumps of expanded polystyrene - loose. Just stuffed in when it was made.. The gel-coat is thicker than the lay-up so there isn't a terrific amount to bond the repair to.
Anyway, I plan to repair it (already got the first layers of mat on) and sell it with mast and sails and a launch trolley, but I'm keeping the trailer.
It'll make a decent fun boat for a family as long as they stay on the lakes or rivers.


Skipper01.jpg


(It's not osmosis. Someone had painted the hull and damp has got under the paint.)

Skipper03.jpg


Skipper07.jpg
Click to expand...

I had one until a about 3 years sold it for £250 ,I had it on Derwentwater and found it good fun in a blow,otherwise bit slow,pointing not so good.It took me while to sell it and would think you would have similar problem being not far away.
Mine had a rubbish trailer though.
Looking at your pictures it looks though it might end up the same way as the last one u posted about.
Good luck either way :)
 
Hi
I own a skipper 14 and are any of you able to give me some advice on how to sail them or any tips on how to look after/maintain it?

thanks
 
Skipper 14

Maintenance is easy, just make sure you can get any water out of the hull, remove all the bungs, use a thin stick to check that they are clear inside as the polystyrene tends to block them, and then tip the boat high at the bow.

As I sail on the river Tees where we have several bridges, I have dispense with the Bermuda rig, using half the mast and made a lateen sail with polytarp and windsurfer masts. This works exceptionally well. It points well and is is safe (so far) in force 6. Probably helped by 10Kg of lead in the centre board. It was a cheap boat and is not likely to be used in Class Racing so I am quite happy to modify it to suit my needs.
The next experiment will be a junk rig.
Check out Tees Barrage Upstream Sailing Association on Facebook for images
 
Hi

I have one of the later models with the rail round the front.
They are realy fun and quick to sail and are very flat on the water.
They are also very good with a engine on the back
(We have a seagull 40 plus and that pushes us along nicely).
Thanks fo the info, any more info on the would be great!!!

Thanks
Jagster95
 
Hi Guys
Just wondering if anybody can help me with the gunter rig. I have a skipper 14 given to me and just about to repaint and rig again have all the parts but not sure how this 'gunter rig' goes together any photos,any tips much appreciated
Thanks paul
 
Minisail

Seanick
Your friend who built the Skipper and Minisail might be interested to watch the developments of a class association rebirth. Currently mainly on Googlegroups at http://groups.google.com/group/minisail there is also a fledgling website and meetings are being arranged, mainly at CVRDA venues,the members of the group would love to hear from him. Please pass on an invitation to him.
Regards
Steve C (Firsthome)

Seanick said:
To all you Skipper and Minisail owners......
I maintain the wooden boat that belongs to the chap who produced and sold the Minisprint, Minisail and Skipper boats.

He told me that they designed the early skippers to be car toppable, so made them very light.
They then found that most owners we putting them on trailers and filling them with camping gear, and this obviously did some damage.
The later ones they made thicker.

I shall tell him about this thread and I am sure he will be tickled pink to hear all the positive views after all this time.
Click to expand...
 
Skipper 14 Sails required

Hi, Just gott a Skipper 14 with what i think is a Bermuda rig but no sails. an anyone help me to get a set of sails or provide the sail sizes or plans. Thanks
 
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