Trac 14

Summary

The Trac 14 is an American catamaran sailing dinghy that was designed by Australians Richard McFarlane and Jay McFarlane as a one-design racer and first built in 1980.[1][2]

Trac 14
Development
DesignerRichard McFarlane
Jay McFarlane
LocationUnited States
Year1980
No. built1500
Builder(s)AMF Alcort division of AMF Corp
RoleSailing dinghy
NameTrac 14
Boat
Displacement195 lb (88 kg)
Draft0.60 ft (0.18 m)
Hull
TypeCatamaran
ConstructionFiberglass
LOA14.08 ft (4.29 m)
Beam7.50 ft (2.29 m)
Hull appendages
Keel/board typenone
Rudder(s)dual transom-mounted rudders
Rig
Rig typeBermuda rig
Sails
SailplanFractional rigged sloop
Mainsail area119 sq ft (11.1 m2)
Jib/genoa area29 sq ft (2.7 m2)
Total sail area148.00 sq ft (13.750 m2)
Racing
D-PN83.5

The design is a licensed version of the 1976 Windrush 14, which was originally known as the Surfcat and built by Windrush Catamarans of Australia. The Trac 14 is 25 lb (11 kg) heavier than the Windrush 14.[1][3]

Production edit

The Trac 14 design was built under license from Windrush Catamarans by the AMF Alcort division of AMF, Inc. in the United States. The company commenced production in 1980 and produced 1500 by the time it went out of business in 2012.[1][2][4][5]

Design edit

The Trac 14 is a recreational sailboat, built predominantly of fiberglass. It has a fractional sloop rig with hard-coated aluminum spars. The mainsail has seven full sail battens. The dual hulls have spooned raked stems, plumb transoms, dual transom-hung rudders controlled by a tiller, equipped with a hiking extension. The boat displaces 195 lb (88 kg).[1][2]

The boat has a draft of 0.60 ft (0.18 m). The hulls have no keels and instead rely on their curved shape to reduce leeway. This hull arrangement allows easy beaching. The hulls fold under the trampoline to reduce the beam to 6.25 ft (1.91 m) for ground transportation on a trailer.[1]

For sailing the design is equipped with a three-part downhaul and a roller furling jib. There is no trapeze, but the mast rake is adjustable while sailing.[2]

The design has a Portsmouth Yardstick racing average handicap of 83.5 and is normally raced with a crew of two sailors.[2]

See also edit

Related development

References edit

  1. ^ a b c d e McArthur, Bruce (2020). "Trac 14 sailboat". sailboatdata.com. Archived from the original on 20 July 2020. Retrieved 20 July 2020.
  2. ^ a b c d e Sherwood, Richard M.: A Field Guide to Sailboats of North America, Second Edition, pages 42-43. Houghton Mifflin Company, 1994. ISBN 0-395-65239-1
  3. ^ McArthur, Bruce (2020). "Windrush 14 sailboat". sailboatdata.com. Archived from the original on 20 July 2020. Retrieved 20 July 2020.
  4. ^ McArthur, Bruce (2020). "Alcort (USA)". sailboatdata.com. Archived from the original on 6 July 2020. Retrieved 20 July 2020.
  5. ^ McArthur, Bruce (2020). "AMF Corp". sailboatdata.com. Archived from the original on 6 July 2020. Retrieved 20 July 2020.