Legacy Sailing
Photo Gallery 70
Chris' International 14 Adventure or "How many strings does this thing have?"
In September, just before we departed for Florida, Chris was overcome by his desire to sail a really high performance skiff at least once. So in a moment of madness he bought a much used International 14 dinghy from Ontario. A 14 hour drive to pick it up two days before our departure for Florida added a bit of spice to the adventure. Since we were unable to purchase and register a trailer for it we tied it onto the roof of the van for the trip south. Fortunately, although it is 14 feet long, the hull only weights about 180 pounds. The carbon fiber mast, while 24 feet long, is easily lifted in one hand. Once in Florida Chris and brother-in-law Russ set about trying to figure out the many sail and rig controls before heading for the water. Chris also found a trailer, built a box, got the trailer and the dinghy dolly modified so they all nest together on the trailer and got Alaska registration. Our first sail at Dunedin causeway was short...about 200 yards before we hit a sandbar and capsized repeatedly trying to get back afloat. We learned lots despite the short distance covered. Our second sail was conducted in much deeper water on Clearwater Bay. We had a nice 1 1/2 hour sail, stayed upright, managed to set the chute and even got Russ out on the wire for a while. We returned again to Clearwater Beach and had another successful sail, though we were looking for a bit more wind than the 3-4 knots we had. The boat still smokes along even in really light air. Despite a few mechanical difficulties including a broken masthead spinnaker block we had a good sail. We've certainly learned that this boat is way overpowered and inherently unstable. The movement of the crews head is enough in light air to change the angle of heel!

Learning the Ropes
Setting out for Florida the I-14 had to ride on top of the van, with the dolly resting atop the hull. Combine that with the 24 foot carbon fiber mast sticking out front about 8 feet and it made an ungainly	The I-14 has a nine foot carbon fiber spinnaker pole that slides out of the bow. The grrlz loaned Chris a fish toy to stuff into the pole tube to prevent it from sliding out if I had to brake hard.
Unloaded on Russ's lawn in Florida the International 14 provided a puzzle for Chris and Russ to try and sort out.	On the I-14 the spinnaker extends nine feet when the chute is raised, and then slides back into the hull when the chute is doused and sucked back into it's storage bag. It took us many tries to find a workable rigging for the spinnaker halyard.
The mast on the I-14 is 10 feet taller than the boat is long. This huge sail flies off a carbon fiber pole that extends out from the from of the boat.	This side view of the I-14 with its chute up gives an idea how far the spinnaker pole extends from the bow.
It took several weeks but Chris finally got the new trailer outfitted with a box for sails and equipment and tracks to hold the dolly on the trailer. The boat rides on the dolly atop the trailer.	The I-14 has enough lines to control the rig and the sails. Even with practice it is taking Russ and I nearly an hour to get the mast up and all the sails ready to go.
We have found it easier to attach and adjust some of the sails and equipment when the boat is lying on its side. This view shows some of the lines in the cockpit. These lines control the sail and allow all the shrouds and stays to be adjusted underway.	Russ and Chris attach the tiller to the rudder head before getting ready to leave the beach.
All set up and ready to go, The Splinter, as named by Joan rest on the beach.	Russ and Chris push the I-14 off the beach until the water is deep enough to attach the rudder.
Chris attaches the rudder while Russ steadies the boat just off the beach.	Russ hops into the I-14 as we depart the beach.
Finally away from the beach Chris and Russ sail north along the beach in Clearwater Bay.	After successfully tacking Chris and Russ sail south along the beach just prior to setting the chute. Sadly the boat is so fast that Heather couldn't catch up to snap a picture.

Updated 12/4/2009