The GP14  at Skerries Sailing Club

Class Captain: Paul Kelly  Tel: 0863970156  or 353-1-8490354

Jack Holt, sponsored by Yachting World magazine, designed the original GP14 (General Purpose, 14 foot) in 1949 for home construction. The familiar Bell symbol on the sail is taken from the identity of the first builder of kits for the boat, Bell Woodworking in England.

Since its initial launch there have been many changes to the boat but the outer hull shape and deck have remained basically unaltered.

Almost 14,000 GP14s have been built to date and the class is active in the UK, Ireland, Australia and South Africa. An Irish sailor, Hugh Gill, is this year president of the worldwide GP14 class organisation. Skerries Sailing Club hosted the World championships in 1997 and the official opening by President Mary Robinson is commemorated by a plaque in the club entrance hallway. The 2008 World Championships will take place on 2 - 8 August, at South Caernarvonshire Yacht Club, Wales. A large Irish attendance is expected.

The GP14 fleet is a very active class and has sailed in Skerries since 1968.

Whether you are a beginner, eager to learn how to sail, or an experienced sailor looking for good competitive racing, then the GP14 fleet will make you welcome. According to the GP14 International Class website, many of the World's successful sailors learnt to sail in a GP14, including Ellen MacArthur and several winners of other national and international classes, the Admirals Cup and the Olympics. Beginners in Skerries will particularly welcome the wealth of experience we offer in buying and sailing your first boat. Contact the class captain above and arrangements will be made to meet you at the club.

GP14 Class Association Membership Fees 2008 (UK & Ireland )Full Member £27 Youth Member (under 21 on 31 Dec in current year) £13 Associate Member (non-boat owner) £21

GP14 Specifications:

LOA: 4.27 m

Beam: 1.54 m

Minimum weight: 132.9 kg

Sail area: main & jib 12.85 m²  spinnaker 8.4 m²