The Skipper 14 was sold with three different rigs, ranging from the
basic one with a small gunter rig with nasty nylon stretchy sails, to
two different bermudan rigs. The biggest rig was not bad, with proper
terylene sails. I had one once, bought new when they were first
built, which I then modified straight away, by fitting toestraps, a
self-bailer, nonslip, and cutting holes for waterproof access hatches
in the inner moulding and adding some extra GRP reinforcement to the
hull moulding in places.
The hull is, if you look at it, quite a fast shape, and as built, very
very light. With the bigger bermudan rig, they are generally faster
offwind than an Enterprise or GP, but not as fast as an Albacore. To
windward fractionally slower than a GP or Ent, but not by that much.
With the basic gunter rig performance was pretty poor, except offwind
in a blow, when the planing ability of the hull kicked in, though
there was a problem with twist in the mainsail, which causing
instability on runs and very broad reaches. The hull designer was
Peter Milne (Fireball etc).
The deck sometimes was fitted with nasty bowrails, but these were
optional. They had a stern locker that would take a small outboard: I
used a small 3hp Seagull on mine very occasionally. I found it near
ideal as a boat light enough (they were light) to handle ashore easily
singlehanded, including up and down a very steep slipway. It was also
light enough to tow behind a Ford Anglia 998cc without ruining the
performance.
If you think they are horrible boats look again at the underwater
shape - and you'll find it's not that much different to a Laser. Add
in substantially more sail area (with the bigger rig) on aboiut the
same weight and slightly longer length and offwind it really goes.
I must confess I'm always surprised that so many of them are still
around - the original construction quality was pretty poor - chopped
strand mat only and a very light layup. I kept mine for the year I
wanted to, and sailed a lot of miles in it, before moving on to buying
a cruiser. Thirty odd years on, I'd now quite like something similar
as an afternoon daysailer, with enough go to plane nicely, which mine
definitely did.
Post by r***@btinternet.comAnyone know anything about these dinghie They look like a family type
fun boat . Can they have an outboard attached and whats maximum size
What about rigging how does it go>/ As you may ahve guessed I have
just acquired one with bits mising I think
Many thanks
Rich
John Wilson
jwilsonNO****@yachtsnet.co.uk
Remove characters from e-mail address to reply
www.yachtsnet.co.uk - full service online yacht
brokerage with full details and multiple photos
of all boats. Free classified adverts for small
boats and genuinely useful marine links.