Menu

Ireland's sailing, boating & maritime magazine

National 18ft UK Success as Class Heralds 80th Anniversary

12th December 2017
 The Morrison designed "Ultra" division was launched in 2015 following an ambitious modernisation program. The Ultra fleet is growing quickly with five new boats currently on order taking the 2018 UK and IRL fleet size to twenty six boats The Morrison designed "Ultra" division was launched in 2015 following an ambitious modernisation program. The Ultra fleet is growing quickly with five new boats currently on order taking the 2018 UK and IRL fleet size to twenty six boats Credit: Bob Bateman

The National 18ft Class scored big last weekend finally making the breakthrough everyone knew was possible with a new Morrison designed National 18 winning the Datchet leg of the GJW Direct Sailjuice Winter Series in the UK. This mixed dinghy handicap series is the biggest in the UK regularly attracting entries of more than 100 boats at each of the seven regattas.

The win was all the more impressive as helm Peter Gray with crew Rich Pepperdine and Simon Forbes were sailing a National 18 for the very first time. Their results on Saturday couldn't be matched in a mixed dinghy fleet brimming with talent. With the Sunday pursuit race cancelled due to adverse weather the team from Staunton Harold Sailing Club were declared the winners.

The National 18 ft class celebrates its 80th birthday in 2018 but as members and follows know the class is not acting its age. The Morrison designed "Ultra" division was launched in 2015 following an ambitious modernisation program. The Ultra fleet is growing quickly with five new boats currently on order taking the 2018 UK and IRL fleet size to twenty six boats with a second hand market also beginning to develop. With additional ongoing interest that number is sure to increase in the coming months.

Published in National 18
Afloat.ie Team

About The Author

Afloat.ie Team

Email The Author

Afloat.ie is Ireland's dedicated marine journalism team.

Have you got a story for our reporters? Email us here.

We've got a favour to ask

More people are reading Afloat.ie than ever thanks to the power of the internet but we're in stormy seas because advertising revenues across the media are falling fast. Unlike many news sites, we haven't put up a paywall because we want to keep our marine journalism open.

Afloat.ie is Ireland's only full-time marine journalism team and it takes time, money and hard work to produce our content.

So you can see why we need to ask for your help.

If everyone chipped in, we can enhance our coverage and our future would be more secure. You can help us through a small donation. Thank you.

Direct Donation to Afloat button

At A Glance – National 18 Dinghy Specifications

The new National 18 ‘Ultra’ Specifications

Designer Phil Morrison
LOA 5.49m
Beam 2.36m
Hull Weight 160kg
Sailing Weight <200kg
Crew Weight No Limit
Main & Jib 22.5 m2
Kite 21.0 m2
PY 910
Construction Vinylester Foam Sandwich

Featured Sailing School

INSS sidebutton

Featured Clubs

dbsc mainbutton
Howth Yacht Club
Kinsale Yacht Club
National Yacht Club
Royal Cork Yacht Club
Royal Irish Yacht club
Royal Saint George Yacht Club

Featured Brokers

leinster sidebutton

Featured Webcams

Featured Associations

ISA sidebutton
ICRA
isora sidebutton

Featured Marinas

dlmarina sidebutton

Featured Sailmakers

northsails sidebutton
uksails sidebutton
quantum sidebutton
watson sidebutton

Featured Chandleries

CHMarine Afloat logo
https://afloat.ie/resources/marine-industry-news/viking-marine

Featured Blogs

W M Nixon - Sailing on Saturday
podcast sidebutton
BSB sidebutton
wavelengths sidebutton
 

Please show your support for Afloat by donating