National 18 Protoype Cuts a Dash in Cork Harbour

14th October 2013

#National18– Have a look at the new prototype National 18 dinghy, looks stunning! The Phil Morrison type got a great reaction when laucnhed yesterday for the CH Marine sponsored Royal Cork Autumn league writes Claire Bateman

Showing true Morrison lineage the boat was built by Ian Teasdale in Devon. Scroll down for more photos below by Bob Bateman.

Pundits say she looks like a cross between an RS400 and a Mark 8 International 14.

Early reports suggest she should be more forgiving to sail downwind in a blow but she might be a little tricky to compete against the existing boats upwind in light airs.

Royal Cork's Peter O'Donovan gaves his verdict on the National 18 facebook page. 'Went out in the trial boat today. It was light enough weather but really a lovely boat to sail. Fantastic space in her too. We tested her in the capsize and one man managed to right her on his own while the rest of us watched in the rib'.

Helming the new development craft is long time RCYC member Dom Long with crew Colin Chapman and Kieran Dwyer.

Along with other recent innovations, such as carbon rigs, the the prototype is to be trialed and a decision taken at next AGM (next summer) on her future!

"Early reports suggest she should be more forgiving to sail downwind in a blow"

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The new boat has an old rig (below), is it big enough for that wide stern, could it use a square top rig?

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The newest National 18 on trial. The class will vote on the development next summer. What's next for this successful Irish class? Could they go the whole hog, put racks on her, twin trapezes and turn her into an 18ft skiff?

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Published in National 18

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National 18

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