Skipper 14 Dinghy

[skipper14]

We've just acquired a pretty good condition Skipper 14 for the children however can find absolutely nothing on the web about the makers or a history of the boat. The only thing we did find was the Class Association for Skipper 12's and 14's, however there is little in the way of background info. Can anyone help?

Many thanks

 

[Trevethan]

I sailed a 14 about 22 years ago.. great kids boat on the water, though not very "exciting" very stable, and very heavy to drag up a slip. I sailed mine in teh Taw Torridge estuary mostly. Also did a couple of trips to Lundy and various beached on the north Devon coast. (skippers surf very well and was about the only time it ever got on the plane in less than a force 6!) Did pretty well in the open sea.

Never capsized. However did do a capsize drill in it once and it all but sank. Water in the aft locker and cockpit meant that we had about 5 inches freeboard once righted! Bailed out the locker which helped and went up the beach to deal with the rest. I very much doubt that you will manage to tip her over. To do it on purposed took four people on the gunnel rocking the thing and anoth with a line on the mast to get it to go over!

Handles well (ish) with a seagull outboard on the back. Make sure there is a block of wood or similar inside the lip of the little tray on the stern to stop the outboard clamps from cracking the grp.

Not certain, but I think that Peter Milne was the designer. Usually the boats have a little plaque by the mast step with the details.

Hope this helps and feel free to message me if you have other questions

 

[AndrewB]

Built by Richmond Marine (based in Richmond!) in the 1970's. There were four boats in the range, the Minisail (at one time a competitor to the Laser), Skipper 12 and 14, and a dayboat, the Skipper 17. All designed by Peter Milne.

The Skipper 12 and 14 were aimed at young families and characterised not only by the very simple rig, but by a high boom and small sail area which gave them safe but rather restricted performance under sail. However, they were also designed to handle well with a small outboard. They were prone to weakness at the mast foot where a ply inset could rot. Both rely on a double-skin construction (with built-in foam) for buoyancy, and it is important to check this is intact, as I have heard of accidents caused by flooding through a crack in the outer skin.

For many years there was a very active class association. The last address I have is P. D. Wilding, 93 Long Gore, Godalming, Surrey GU7 3TW

 

[ToSkipperA14]

We've just acquired a pretty good condition Skipper 14 for the children however can find absolutely nothing on the web about the makers or a history of the boat. The only thing we did find was the Class Association for Skipper 12's and 14's, however there is little in the way of background info. Can anyone help?

Many thanks

Here's a full write-up by Sir Alec Rose.

http://skipper14.attwood.fi/