GP14 Sailing Forums Forum New member and owner of 5794

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    • #20824
      Simon Cowell
      Spectator

      Hi,

      I’m a new member and completely new sailor. I’ve just bought boat number 5794 and would love if anyone had any information on it’s history.

      To my untrained eye the boat appears to be in good condition with just a little TLC required. One thing I have noticed is that there doesn’t seem much protection on the keel from launching off the trailer, is this normal or would a protection strip be usual here? If so where might I find one?

      To anyone wondering why I bought the boat prior to learning to sail, my local club at Hykeham, Lincolnshire uses GP14’s to train with so figured as this one came along I’d snap it up and worry about the rest when they re-open for new members!

      All the best

      Simon

       

    • #20825
      Oliver Shaw
      Moderator

      Simon,

      Welcome aboard.   You have chosen a superb and very versatile dinghy class.   Let’s hope your club opens for training before the season ends.

      Yes,  there ahould be a keelband to protect the wood;   choice is brass or aluminium or stainless steel,  with aluminium being probably the most popular.    Several chandlers stock it,  and most ohers should be able to obtain it for you.   I apologise that because I am currently away on holiday I don’t have access to my usual sources,  but you might usefully try Trident Marine or Speed Sails (as was;  now a new name);  Classic Marine for brass,  if you feel that historical authenticity is a priority for a vintage boat of this age and if her other fittings are brass or bronze.

      The Association has digitised records of most GP14s,  although there are a few gaps;  available on request via the Office.   Meanwhile I can at least give you a steer on when she was built;   according to my records,   sail numbers 5001-6000 were issued in 1962-3.

       

      Oliver

      • This reply was modified 3 years, 10 months ago by Oliver Shaw. Reason: Typos
    • #20829
      Simon Cowell
      Spectator

      Thanks Oliver, appreciate the advice and I’ll fit one of these before I sail it. The boat was refurbed a little while back with underfloor buoyancy added and stainless fittings so think I’ll go with stainless. Looking forward to enjoying sailing as soon as I can but for now I’ll content myself with learning what I can by reading and watching

      Simon

    • #20833
      Oliver Shaw
      Moderator

      The “Series 1 to 2 Conversion” is quite rare.

      Aluminium keelband is more popular than stainless,  beause it is lighter.   If you want stainless you may have to source it from a stainless steel stockholder rather than a chandler.   If you have difficulty in finding it I can probably point you in the right direction once I get back home from holiday,  second half of next week.

       

      Oliver

    • #20836
      Simon Cowell
      Spectator

      Hi Oliver

      I actually got on my back last night and had a proper look. Embarrassingly the keel band is completely intact (and aluminium). My casual glance had seen bare wood and made a rash assumption but this is actually on the side of the keel.
      I’ll take a few pics of the boat if it’s of interest

      thanks for your help

      Simon

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