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Royal Navy Sailing Association RNSA 14' Dinghy
This is a rare example of the once popular RNSA 14 foot dinghy, which is in very good condition. These boats were introduced by the Royal Navy to provide rest and recreation for the ships crew and they were also used to teach sailing. They were also very popular among Sea Cadets and many former cadets view them today with great affection as the first boat they learnt to sail in.
The Royal Navy Sailing Association (RNSA) 14ft dinghy was a modified version of the Island Class One. It was in 1937 that the British Admiralty adopted the class, with modifications specified to adapt it for ship-board use.
Its purpose was to provide sailors aboard ship with the opportunity to sail in boats other than heavy Service cutters and whalers. The original gunter rig (avoiding the inconvenient length of the bermudian-rigged mast) made the boats suitable for transport on naval ships and their sturdy clinker construction made them ideal for launching from the shore when required.
There is a record that the Royal New Zealand Navy building one, called Kiwi, which they then presented to then Princess Elizabeth and Prince Phillip to coincide with the marriage in 1947.
The RNSA dinghy – or Rensa as it was commonly known – was in Service use for about 25 years until it was replaced by the fibreglass Bosun dinghy in 1959. However, when the Navy stopped carrying them on warships several builders of these craft then updated them with decking and a few refinements such as side seating and they were then sold to the public as family sailers.
The boat we are offering for sales was built by Edgar Cove of Kingsbridge in Devon, built in 1967. The construction is of mahogany on oak and is a particularly fine example. It has been with the same owner for the last 30 years and has been well looked after and cared for in that time. The owner had complete satisfaction from it, having sailed it extensively with a popular destination been Northern Lakes, The Norfolk Broads and along the South Coast and over to Irish Loughs and the River Shannon.
This boat is bermudan rigged with red sails and oars and a spare boom and tiller and comes complete with trailer. The hull is of clinker construction making for a strong boat.
The owner testifies that the dinghy sails well, and points well and can be easily sailed single handed or comfortably by two.
The tray arrangement in the bows was made and put there by the present owner to carry camping equipment as it makes a practical dinghy cruising boat as well being a bit of a head turner.
Alternatively, for racing then a bow buoyancy bag can be put in this position instead.
It would be very hard to find another RNSA 14 in such fine condition and they rarely come up for sale.