GP14 History
Posted on April 21st 2007, by Craig HewettJack Holt designed the GP14, originally sponsored by the Yachting World magazine, in 1949 for home construction from the then comparatively new material of Marine Plywood.
It was conceived as a General Purpose dinghy, and although equipped with wooden mast and boom, and cotton jib and mainsail, it was also excellent to row, and had a standard conversion for fitting a small outboard motor.
Since its initial launch there have been considerable changes to the boat but the outer hull shape and deck have remained basically unaltered.
The Wooden Series Mk1 was built to Jack Holt’s original design and had buoyancy tanks fitted under the slatted seats (see photo).
Some have a full buoyancy tank under the fore deck and/or a full buoyancy tank under the rear deck. The mast sat on top of the hog and had a square heel plug.
In 1983 modifications were approved to bring older boats down to weight by replacing original centreboard by one of 6mm ply and the transom by 5mm ply and reducing beam and seat slats.