Jet 14
Encyclopedia
The Jet 14 sailboat is a One-Design
racing dinghy. The fleets are organized by the Jet 14 Class Association, which is broken into four divisions based upon geographical locations of the fleets. District I is in New Jersey, District II is in Ohio, District III is in Maryland, and District IV is in upstate New York. A variety of events are held for the jets all year, with the major events being the Silver Chevron competition and the Jet 14 Nationals. Clubs often host other Jet 14 regattas during the sailing season that all members of the Class Association and people wishing to learn more about sailing are welcome to attend.
The Jet 14 was based around several principles. All boats had to have strict adherence to the One-Design
rules in regards to speed-producing elements, had to have good performance both all-around and when planing, have minimal initial and maintenance costs, and be easy to transport from one location to another.
Howard Siddons created the first Jet 14 in 1955 by combining the sailing rig of a Snipe
with the hull design of an Uffa Fox International 14
. The hulls were readily available, had low maintenance costs, and were capable of planing under the right conditions. The design worked exceptionally well, and Siddons, with the help of Harry Sindle, created the first of the Jet 14 boats.
Siddons came up with a hull
design that was modified in the interior in order to minimize maintenance and building difficulties. The hull was decked over to keep water from coming into the boat, the spars were kept solid, and sail tracks were added in order to make things easier for amateur boat builders. A metal centerboard was used in order to eliminate expensive and cumbersome lead castings that were used for weight and balance with the boats. Plans, patterns, and instructions were then created so that sailors could build their own boats from stock materials available at any lumber yard if they so desired.
The boat design was incredibly balanced. While the boat was initially believed to be too powerful for adolescents, it was soon determined that some of the design features made it quite adaptable for crews of all shapes and sizes. The metal centerboard lowered the center of gravity, making capsizing more difficult. The smaller sail plan made handling in rough weather easier for smaller crews, and even if the boat did capsize, they will typically float on edge instead of turtling. Because of the size and balance of a boat, crews do not need to include a large member (often called a gorilla) to help keep control in foul weather, like larger two-person boats often do.
The Class association has added some modifications since the initial implementation of the boat's design. Fiberglass hulls first began appearing in 1960, followed by aluminum spars in 1962. The addition of self-rescue or "tanked" boats (so called for the built-in flotation tanks) occurred in 1965. None of these additions particularly affected the speed of the boat, but in 1970, the Class Association approved the use of a spinnaker
in the Nationals, as well as a mid-boom traveler and furling
gear.
The Class Association continues to watch over and improve all aspects of Jet-14 sailing. From the approval of use for the spinnaker (1970), to the 720 rule (1974 Nationals) to the addition of the Silver Chevron Regatta (1976), the class continues to promote good sailing values for all of its member fleets. The class celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2005 and currently sanctions nearly 30 regattas per year. The Senior and Junior National Championships are contested each August.
Beginning in mid-2007, new Jet-14 sailboats have been produced by Allen Boat Company, of Buffalo, New York. Over 1,150 boats have been made by many different builders. There are currently 8 active fleets.
Based on the hull of the International 14
(I-14), a former Olympic class boat, the Jet is a plum-bow two-person sloop-rigged sailboat. The Jet 14 provides moderate-level performance for a dinghy sailboat. It does not require features such as a trapeze
harness, although the hull is capable of planing.
The Jet 14 has a 2008 Portsmouth Yardstick
rating of 97.2.
One-Design
Sloop
International 14
Snipe
One-design
One-Design is a racing method where all vehicles or boats have identical or very similar designs or models. It is also known as Spec series. It is heavily used in sailboat racing. All competitors in a race are then judged based on a single start time...
racing dinghy. The fleets are organized by the Jet 14 Class Association, which is broken into four divisions based upon geographical locations of the fleets. District I is in New Jersey, District II is in Ohio, District III is in Maryland, and District IV is in upstate New York. A variety of events are held for the jets all year, with the major events being the Silver Chevron competition and the Jet 14 Nationals. Clubs often host other Jet 14 regattas during the sailing season that all members of the Class Association and people wishing to learn more about sailing are welcome to attend.
History
The Jet 14 traces its origins back to the early 1950s, when several skippers were complaining about the state of one-design racing. The boats of the era were either too big or too small, too tricky or too slow, most were far too expensive and of the remaining classes many were not particularly adherent to the One-Design principles. It was because of these issues and dissatisfaction that the first of the Jet 14s were created.The Jet 14 was based around several principles. All boats had to have strict adherence to the One-Design
One-design
One-Design is a racing method where all vehicles or boats have identical or very similar designs or models. It is also known as Spec series. It is heavily used in sailboat racing. All competitors in a race are then judged based on a single start time...
rules in regards to speed-producing elements, had to have good performance both all-around and when planing, have minimal initial and maintenance costs, and be easy to transport from one location to another.
Howard Siddons created the first Jet 14 in 1955 by combining the sailing rig of a Snipe
Snipe (dinghy)
The Snipe is a foot, 2 person, one design racing dinghy. Designed by William Crosby in 1931, it has evolved into a modern, tactical racing dinghy with fleets around the world. The Snipe is simple, making it easy to sail and trailer. The boat is recognized by the International Sailing Federation as...
with the hull design of an Uffa Fox International 14
International 14
The International 14 is 14-foot double-handed racing dinghy. The class originated in England in the early part of the 20th century. It is sailed and raced in many countries around the world and was one of the very first true international racing dinghy classes recognised by International Sailing...
. The hulls were readily available, had low maintenance costs, and were capable of planing under the right conditions. The design worked exceptionally well, and Siddons, with the help of Harry Sindle, created the first of the Jet 14 boats.
Siddons came up with a hull
Hull (watercraft)
A hull is the watertight body of a ship or boat. Above the hull is the superstructure and/or deckhouse, where present. The line where the hull meets the water surface is called the waterline.The structure of the hull varies depending on the vessel type...
design that was modified in the interior in order to minimize maintenance and building difficulties. The hull was decked over to keep water from coming into the boat, the spars were kept solid, and sail tracks were added in order to make things easier for amateur boat builders. A metal centerboard was used in order to eliminate expensive and cumbersome lead castings that were used for weight and balance with the boats. Plans, patterns, and instructions were then created so that sailors could build their own boats from stock materials available at any lumber yard if they so desired.
The boat design was incredibly balanced. While the boat was initially believed to be too powerful for adolescents, it was soon determined that some of the design features made it quite adaptable for crews of all shapes and sizes. The metal centerboard lowered the center of gravity, making capsizing more difficult. The smaller sail plan made handling in rough weather easier for smaller crews, and even if the boat did capsize, they will typically float on edge instead of turtling. Because of the size and balance of a boat, crews do not need to include a large member (often called a gorilla) to help keep control in foul weather, like larger two-person boats often do.
The Class association has added some modifications since the initial implementation of the boat's design. Fiberglass hulls first began appearing in 1960, followed by aluminum spars in 1962. The addition of self-rescue or "tanked" boats (so called for the built-in flotation tanks) occurred in 1965. None of these additions particularly affected the speed of the boat, but in 1970, the Class Association approved the use of a spinnaker
Spinnaker
A spinnaker is a special type of sail that is designed specifically for sailing off the wind from a reaching course to a downwind, i.e. with the wind 90°–180° off the bow. The spinnaker fills with wind and balloons out in front of the boat when it is deployed, called flying. It is constructed of...
in the Nationals, as well as a mid-boom traveler and furling
Furl (sailing)
Furling refers to stowing or dousing a boat's sail by flaking , packing , roller furling or just lowering it onto the deck. Nowadays, it is becoming more common to use the term "furling" to refer to reefing a sail that is part of a roller furling system....
gear.
History of the Class Association
The Class Association was started April 17th, 1955 to manage the business side of the class, such as expenses, organization of regattas, and protecting the one-design features of the Jet 14. The official boat specifications were established in 1956. Members of the class association had to pay dues, which covered various administrative and legal costs (such as registering the Jet-14 trademark in 1957), and official measurement certificates were drawn up and distributed. A constitution and by-laws were established for the Class as well. The first Class newsletter, "Jet Blasts," was published and a regatta schedule was created.The Class Association continues to watch over and improve all aspects of Jet-14 sailing. From the approval of use for the spinnaker (1970), to the 720 rule (1974 Nationals) to the addition of the Silver Chevron Regatta (1976), the class continues to promote good sailing values for all of its member fleets. The class celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2005 and currently sanctions nearly 30 regattas per year. The Senior and Junior National Championships are contested each August.
Beginning in mid-2007, new Jet-14 sailboats have been produced by Allen Boat Company, of Buffalo, New York. Over 1,150 boats have been made by many different builders. There are currently 8 active fleets.
Based on the hull of the International 14
International 14
The International 14 is 14-foot double-handed racing dinghy. The class originated in England in the early part of the 20th century. It is sailed and raced in many countries around the world and was one of the very first true international racing dinghy classes recognised by International Sailing...
(I-14), a former Olympic class boat, the Jet is a plum-bow two-person sloop-rigged sailboat. The Jet 14 provides moderate-level performance for a dinghy sailboat. It does not require features such as a trapeze
Trapeze (sailing)
In sailing, the trapeze refers to a wire that comes from a point high on the mast, usually where the shrouds are fixed, to a hook on the crew member's harness at approximately waist level...
harness, although the hull is capable of planing.
The Jet 14 has a 2008 Portsmouth Yardstick
Portsmouth yardstick
The Portsmouth Yardstick or Portsmouth handicap scheme is a system of handicapping used primarily in small-boat yacht racing.The handicap is applied to the time taken to sail any course, and the corrected time can be used to compare widely different sailboats on even terms. Portsmouth Numbers are...
rating of 97.2.
See also
SailingSailing
Sailing is the propulsion of a vehicle and the control of its movement with large foils called sails. By changing the rigging, rudder, and sometimes the keel or centre board, a sailor manages the force of the wind on the sails in order to move the boat relative to its surrounding medium and...
One-Design
One-design
One-Design is a racing method where all vehicles or boats have identical or very similar designs or models. It is also known as Spec series. It is heavily used in sailboat racing. All competitors in a race are then judged based on a single start time...
Sloop
Sloop
A sloop is a sail boat with a fore-and-aft rig and a single mast farther forward than the mast of a cutter....
International 14
International 14
The International 14 is 14-foot double-handed racing dinghy. The class originated in England in the early part of the 20th century. It is sailed and raced in many countries around the world and was one of the very first true international racing dinghy classes recognised by International Sailing...
Snipe
Snipe (dinghy)
The Snipe is a foot, 2 person, one design racing dinghy. Designed by William Crosby in 1931, it has evolved into a modern, tactical racing dinghy with fleets around the world. The Snipe is simple, making it easy to sail and trailer. The boat is recognized by the International Sailing Federation as...