How to keep older Flying Fifteens competitive

Following conversations about the number of boats available for sale within the fleet, the discussion drifted onto the fact that older boats (Ovington 9s & 10s especially) can be just as competitive as a new boat given the right level and direction of investment.

The comment was made that there are plenty of under and unused F15s in most fleet dinghy parks that could form the basis of a campaign by new top-level (and club level) entrants into the fleet, but because of their knowledge of other fleets where new boats are paramount to success, there may not be an appreciation as to the longevity of a F15 hull and how something sitting unloved in a boat park could be brought up to a competitive level with just a little effort.

I asked several the UK fleet leading helms about their experiences of racing boats that are not in their first flush of youth and how they keep them competitive.

Jeremy Davy has the oldest (3760 registered in 2002), but Richard Lovering’s is now over 10 years of age (4002 registered in 2012), and Charles Apthorp has F15s of various vintages including 3591 built 1997, although as he would admit it is a little non-standard for the time.

We asked them, “What would you say to someone looking to enter the fleet with ambition, lacking the budget for a new boat, but able to make a lower-level investment.” Here is an amalgam of their responses.

The following is good advice for both current owners of older boats and those seeking to buy them. Not maintaining your boat is throwing money down the drain as much as spending on maintenance may seem when you lightly use the boat. You risk not get the money for your boat when selling that you were expecting.

• Excellent condition sails are a must have for performance. Spinnakers need to be renewed annually if you are seeking to compete at a high level in Championships, the same may be said for jibs, whereas mainsails may last 2 seasons. At the front of the fleet, older sails are used for club racing and the newer sails kept back for these top events. This is a budget item for the new owner.

We think, because the Ovi boats have always been so well made, that any Ovi-made boat is competitive. It always struck me that Steve (Goacher) kept 3721 for a long time after the Mk10 came out and I think that’s because he wasn’t convinced the Mk10 was faster. When we sailed 3712 at the 2017 Inlands (because 3760 was still in the container coming back from the Kiwi Worlds) we thought we were quick against all the new boats. So I personally think that any Ovi, including Mk9s, should be competitive at the front of the fleet.

• Masts age, especially if the boat is sailed at sea and in salt water, so it may be worth replacing them every 4-5 years, and it needs to be straight. F15s don’t suffer breakages in spars as much as other fleets so it is possible to have a 10to 15-year-old mast in a boat. Ask the current owner if he knows the age of the mast. If the answer is no, then you can assume that it may be at or beyond the replacement age.

• Hull and keel underside kept up together, smooth, and repainted when necessary to prevent rust forming in the keel. The rudder post should be straight, and the rudder should sit correctly against the underside of the boat. If the boat has an older rudder, then upgrading to a new one may be a consideration.

• Fittings and ropes need to be replace as required. If a boat has been left for a long time, you can expect quite a lot of this. A lot of F15’s are fitted out with Harken fittings which means they last a long time especially if washed and maintained. Ropes wear all the time and one breaking during a race is unforgivable if it is due to parsimony.

• Make sure the boat cover is in excellent order, made with breathable material and well fitted to protect boat from elements when not in use (wind, water, UV protection). You will need to replace this every few years!

• Never let a boat sit with water in it. Never leave a boat with the undercover fitted for long periods. Nor allow it to lie in such a manner that water can pool inside the boat.

“Anyone who buys a second-hand Ovi Fifteen will never lose money because they’re such awesome boats. That’s why the Fifteen will always be the best double-handed keelboat in the World, because you can buy one, compete in a fantastic class and always know your investment is safe!”

Fundamentally, an older Ovington Mk 10 or a Mk 9 can be purchased and brought up to generally modern specifications and levels of performance. Look to buy a boat that has been well looked after and upgraded during ownership, or expect to have to spend on your new boat after purchase.

Some owners have upgraded Ovington Mk 9’s, placing a new bulkhead in front of the mast and removed part of tank in front to save weight. This increases the stiffness of the boat.

If your new boat costs 4-5 k and you have spent another 3k bringing it up to as new trim it is like to be at the front of the fleet with a good sailor, inland and also at sea in winds up to F3 (Ovington 9). Compared to the £25k+ for a new boat, you are getting into the fleet at a good price.

After all this has been taken into consideration remember that the fastest item in the boat is “the nut on the end of the tiller!”

So, are you investing in yourself? Learning from others,

• Planning your campaigns, understanding the tides if required

I would say the boats that perform well are the ones that have been well cared for during their ownership. That isn’t what people want to hear but pulling a boat out of a boat park for £5000 that has not been looked after will come with a bill to get it back up together. Certainly, the materials in modern boat building mean they have the potential to remain competitive for a longer period of time.

• Keeping up levels of fitness,

• Keeping records of settings and what appears to work and what does not.

We enjoy sailing a boat that gives a thrilling ride and exposes mistakes but depreciates very slowly. More people will come to realise that over time and if we look after our boats, when we need them no longer, they will find new grateful owners if we have invested our time and money to care for the boat.

Exclusive craft insurance for Members of the UK Flying 15 Association

The UK Flying 15 Association insurance scheme is designed to protect your Flying 15 craft and your liability to third parties.

It provides members with bespoke benefits, such as new-for-old cover on sails, masts, spars and rigging. In addition, our scheme wording does not have a Hitchlock and Clamping condition.

As well as providing exclusive benefits and competitive premiums, with an additional £20 discount for UKFFA members*, the scheme provides important income for the Association, which helps fund activities for members.

For a personal quote, please contact:

Why not call us for a free quotation for your club’s insurance programme?

We may be able to reduce your premium costs as well as reviewing your cover to ensure your club has the protection it needs.

Jerry Dungate

T: 01883 333512

E: jerry.dungate@ukglobalgroup.co.uk

W: www.ukglobalgroup.co.uk

*A £20 administration fee is removed each year for members of the UKFFA. UKGlobal, UKGlobal Group and UKGlobal Insurance Brokers are trading names of UKGlobal Broking Group Limited. UKGlobal Broking Group Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority No.840855. The UK Flying Fifteen Association is an Introducer Appointed Representative of UKGlobal Broking Group Limited. Marketing Info - 11.01.23