National Ace for sale in Kent United Kingdom

Wooden Ships Comments on this Classic National 18 Dinghy

National 18 built in 1952, Sail No.36

The National 18 Restricted Class began in 1938 following a design competition for an 18’ sailing dinghy, suitable for day sailing but fast enough for racing. Well known designer Uffa Fox won the competition with his ‘Ace’ design for a clinker built wooden boat.

This boat has been completely rebuilt to a professional standard with all new planking, frames and decks.

The boat was found in a very poor and damaged state after many years of storage, the current owner decided it would be a fin project to rebuild her. This became a complete rebuild with an almost new boat, keeping only the keel and centreboard and centreboard case.

Original rig with rebuilt mast and new standing rigging.

Confirmed by class regulators that she confirms to the Uffa Ace (National 18 Restricted Class) measurements and therefore could race within the fleet.

Complete with rig and road trailer.

Length: 18’

Beam: 6’9”

• Clinker planked in utile mahogany, all copper rivet fastened to steam bent oak timbers.
• Original centreline with iron ballast keel. Original centreboard box and iron centreplate.
• Decks made from ¼” marine plywood screwed and glued to oak deck beams. Decks overlaid with utile planks set in epoxy and finished with varnish.
• Mahogany thwarts and pine slatted sole boards.

• Fractional Bermudan sloop rig on a keel stepped wooden mast. Mast repaired with a new top section in Sitka spruce.
• 2 sets of sails including original Egyptian cotton sails.
• New stainless steel standing rigging.
• New running rigging.

• Galvanised road trailer
• 3 x buoyancy bags
• Sole boards
• 2 x mainsails
• Headsail
• All running and standing rigging
• Rudder and tiller
• Centreplate and lifting mechanism
• Toe straps