Last updated: 18-Aug-03
The NS14 is an Australian designed sailing dinghy, intended for competitive family sailing.
It has a simple rig, is light enough to be lifted from a trailer into the water by 3 persons of average strength, requires no olympic skills to sail, and is affordable for the private sailor.
After some experimentation, the class restrictions were formulated around the successful combination of the New Zealand Javelin hull and a sail area of 100 square feet.
From the original two prototypes the class grew rapidly. Over 2000 boats are registered in the state of New South Wales, with numbers continuing to increase.
Control of the class was transferred in 1965 from the Northbridge Sailing Club to the NS14 Association of New South Wales. The Association is now a National body with State Associations active in New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, Tasmania, South Australia and in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT).
The NS14 is a dinghy which is ideal for two adults or an adult and child.
Because the boat does not have a spinnaker or trapeze, yet retains high performance, it is ideal for parent/parent/child combinations of skipper and forward hand. The minimum weight and age rules do not allow for any individual advantage in these areas.
The minimum hull weight of 64 kg (150 pounds) is light enough for easy on shore handling, whilst the ample buoyancy allows the boat to be righted and sailed on after a capsize. The crew can be completely independent of the boat on and off (and in) the water. This is a big plus for family sailing, where novice crews are common.
The simple design makes for convenient and easy boat rigging when preparing for racing or family sailing.
The NS14 is not really a "one design" class, but is a restricted development class, which allows variations within its simple restrictions. Experimentation with proportions of the 9.3 square metres (100 sq ft) of sail has produced a highly efficient combination of jib and main sail, which contributes much of this boat's amazing performance.
In hull shapes, experimentation has produced some interesting designs but as yet no one design has proved noticeably superior. The rules prevent exotic materials and radical shapes being used.
Length 4.27m Sail area (jib and main) 9.3 sq m max Weight of hull 64 kg min Max height to top of mainsail 5.5 m above deck Beam 1.6 - 1.83 m
The boat must pass between two horizontal beams, spread 660mm apart. No trapezes, sliding seats or spinnaker.
The boat must have buoyancy to be rightable after a capsize.
The complete rules are available from the Association Secretary.
New sails must be measured before a boat may compete in class events. Some boat repairs e.g. those requiring changes to any ballast weights, will also require re-measuring of the boats.
To contact the NS14 Association in your area please see the contacts page.