Cheshire 14
The Cheshire 14 is an American catamaran sailing dinghy that was designed by Frank Meldau as a racer and first built in 1962.[1][2]
| Development | |
|---|---|
| Designer | Frank Meldau |
| Location | United States |
| Year | 1962 |
| No. built | 500 (1994) |
| Builder(s) | Fiberglass Unlimited/Custom Fiberglass International |
| Boat | |
| Boat weight | 185 lb (84 kg) |
| Draft | 2.08 ft (0.63 m) with the centerboards down |
| Hull | |
| Type | Catamaran |
| Construction | Fiberglass |
| LOA | 14.00 ft (4.27 m) |
| Beam | 6.42 ft (1.96 m) |
| Hull appendages | |
| Keel/board type | dual centerboards |
| Rudder(s) | transom-mounted rudders |
| Rig | |
| Rig type | Bermuda rig |
| Sails | |
| Sailplan | Fractional rigged sloop |
| Mainsail area | 105 sq ft (9.8 m2) |
| Jib/genoa area | 30 sq ft (2.8 m2) |
| Total sail area | 135 sq ft (12.5 m2) |
| Racing | |
| D-PN | 80.0 |
The design is the smaller stablemate of the Isotope catamaran.[2]
Production
The design is built by Fiberglass Unlimited, now called Custom Fiberglass International, in Wake Forest, North Carolina, United States and remains in production. By 1994 it was reported that 500 boats had been built.[1][2][3][4]
Design
The Cheshire 14 is a recreational sailboat, with the hulls built predominantly of fiberglass with internal tubular frames. The hulls are connected by three tubular aluminum cross-members, which also support the mainsheet traveler, the mast and the forestay respectively. The boat has a fractional sloop rig with a rotating mast and anodized aluminum spars. The hulls have spooned raked stems , vertical transoms, dual transom-hung rudders controlled by a tiller and dual retractable centerboards. the boat displaces 185 lb (84 kg).[1][2]
The boat has a draft of 2.08 ft (0.63 m) with the centerboards extended and 0.42 ft (0.13 m) with them retracted, allowing beaching or ground transportation on a trailer.[1]
For sailing the design is equipped with a righting bar, roller furling jib, sail battens made of ash wood and positive flotation. Optional equipment includes a trapeze and fiberglass battens.[2][4]
The design has a Portsmouth Yardstick racing average handicap of 80.0. The boat can accommodate three adults, but is normally raced by one sailor.[2]
Operational history
In a 1994 review Richard Sherwood wrote, "the Cheshire catamaran predates the Hobie and has been in production for almost 20 years. The pivoting centerboards are unique to the Cheshire and its sister, the Isotope. The boards are easier to retract than daggerboards."[2]
References
- McArthur, Bruce (2020). "Cheshire 14 sailboat". sailboatdata.com. Archived from the original on 14 July 2020. Retrieved 14 July 2020.
- Sherwood, Richard M.: A Field Guide to Sailboats of North America, Second Edition, pages 36-37. Houghton Mifflin Company, 1994. ISBN 0-395-65239-1
- McArthur, Bruce (2020). "Custom Fiberglass International". sailboatdata.com. Archived from the original on 14 July 2020. Retrieved 14 July 2020.
- Custom Fiberglass International (2013). "Cheshire Catamaran". intl-fiberglass.com. Archived from the original on 27 August 2018. Retrieved 15 July 2020.