International Fourteen
Alison Watts and husband Eric sailing their new International 14.
Why it's Different: The International 14 is the best known of all the racing dinghy classes. It developed in England in the 1930s and reached a high point in 1935 with Uffa Fox’s famous design Alarm. This was the first true planing hull and walked away with every race she entered. Alarm’s lines were widely copied, numerous boats built and I was lucky enough to acquire one in Montreal in 1955. I sailed the boat for many years, then my children (and now their children) but by 2012 it was beyond economical repair so I decided to build a new one and this is the result.
An International 14 is like no other boat I’ve ever sailed: responsive, light on the tiller and able to take advantage of even the ghost of a wind. I think of this boat as a classic because it marks a high point in the evolution of this particular class. By making plans and a building manual available I’m hoping that others will consider building one of these unique boats. Our boat was built by W.J. Malette in Gananoque, Ontario 1936-7. By comparing lines drawings it is clearly a very close relative of Uffa Fox’ Alarm designed and built in 1935. |
Building The International 14Digital Download -- Complete Building Manual and Plans
Building the International 14 in the Nova Scotia workshop
Rebecca Watts enjoying idle moments in an International 14.
Length: 14 ft.
Beam 5ft. Sail Area: 125 square feet in main and jib. Weight: 225 pounds. Mast Height: 22 ft. 6 ins. above gunwale. The original boat was built lapstrake with 3/8 in. red cedar planking on white oak steamed frames. Iron centerboard and built-up spruce mast with stainless steel rigging. Fastened with copper clench nails throughout. |
Lines Plan
Sheet One. Very detailed sheets of plans take the guesswork out of building.