National 18 Class Association exhibits the new Morrison designed boat

by National 18 Class Association on 5 Apr 2016 The National 18 Class Association exhibited the new Morrison designed National 18 (Ultra) for the second time at the RYA Suziki Dinghy Show in London in March 2016. After its first full year of racing, including successful outings in the SailJuice Winter Series, the boat is becoming very much part of the dinghy racing scene and continues to appeal to a wide range of sailors.

The boat exhibited at the Dinghy Show was sporting the 'new rule' square top laminate mainsail, larger spinnaker, and twin spinnaker poles introduced by the Class Association - and enjoyed her naming ceremony on Saturday with a party in the strong traditions of the Class! The boat and her new rig attracted great interest; she was not only one of the largest boats at the show but also one of the most striking.

With the 2016 sailing season now getting underway the eleven new Morrison 18s delivered to date will be racing actively in a number of the big multi-class events this year. In addition, five new boats are currently nearing completion and a fleet of at least 16 will race for the 2016 National 18 Championship, being hosted by the Royal Findhorn Yacht Club, Scotland, from 31 July to 5 August, where they will sail alongside the previous Proctor design (Ultimates) and the original Uffa Fox design (Classics).

The Morrison designed National 18 has, as intended by the Class, created a performance three-person dinghy with one trapeze that is fast and capable of being handled by crews of varying ability, age, and experience; she is not an extreme boat and many people commented that she looks a 'proper boat.'

The National 18s are renowned for their companionship and great social scene both and on and off the water, as well as for outstanding high performance racing; there is still time to enjoy sailing with the National 18 fleet this summer if orders are placed with official builder White Formula by the end of April.