The Class
The National 12 is a development class. Here is a brief history taken from the owners association page (www.national12.org):
"In 1935 the only dinghy raced on a national basis was the expensive International 14, and so to encourage dinghy sailing the RYA published rules for a simpler and cheaper boat. The original rules were simple:
Hulls must not exceed 12 feet in length
Hulls must not weigh less than 190 lbs (including floorboards!)
Hulls must be of clinker construction
Dinghies to carry no more than 90 square feet of sail.
Boats must cost less than £45 (inflation!)
These rules have been modified over the years to take advantage of cheaper non-clinker construction methods and modern materials.
N1 "Gipsy" was designed by Uffa Fox and launched at Cowes in April 1936. The Twelve proved extremely popular, by the first championships in September of that year over 150 boats had been built. Gipsy has now accepted honourable retirement at Exeter Maritime Museum as a landmark in dinghy sailing history."
As technology has advanced, so National 12s have moved on - the latest dinghies being made from carbon fibre, with carbon masts and all sorts of interesting rig adjustments available. My dinghy was built in 1972 and registered in 1973. She was based upon Phil Morrison's China Doll design, but (apparently) has flatter rear sections to make her plane more easily. The previous owner built her with the help of his father, and the finish is absolutely superb, even after 32 years!
Interestingly, the class has been split into three fleets - vintage (for clinker boats), admirals cup for later boats (typically with four planks on each side, making three softish chines), and then there are the latest and greatest self draining speed machines. My boat fits into the Admirals cup era, but is in fact one of the last clinker boats. This probably puts me at a disadvantage on handicap, but never mind!
The rig on N2699 is significantly simpler than the current crop of boats, with just outhaul, cunningham and a kicking strap to adjust the set of the main - no mast rams or shroud tensioners here!
I will write a bit more when I have time (trying to get a trailer sorted and just received an e-mail regarding a possible candidate!)
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