American 14.6

{{short description|Sailboat class}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2019}}

{{Use American English|date=August 2019}}

{{Infobox sailboat specifications

|name = American 14.6

|class_image =

|line drawing =

|line size =

|line alt =

|line caption =

|image boat = File:American 14.6 sailboat 2246.jpg

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|designer =

|location = United States

|year = 1988

|no built = 1200

|design =

|class =

|brand =

|builder = American Sail

|role =

|boats =

|crew =

|trapeze =

|draft = {{convert|3.50|ft|m|abbr=on}}

|air draft =

|displacement = {{convert|340|lb|kg|0|abbr=on}}

|hulls =

|hull type = Monohull

|construction = Fiberglass

|loa = {{convert|14.50|ft|m|abbr=on}}

|loh =

|lwl = {{convert|13.00|ft|m|abbr=on}}

|beam = {{convert|6.17|ft|m|abbr=on}}

|hull draft =

|hull weight =

|engine = Outboard motor

|appendages =

|keel type = Centerboard

|ballast = none

|rudder type = transom-mounted rudder

|rigs =

|rig type = Bermuda rig

|I =

|J =

|P =

|E =

|mast length =

|rig other =

|sails =

|sailplan = Fractional rigged sloop

|sailarea main =

|sailarea headsail =

|lp =

|sailarea spin =

|sailarea gen =

|sails other =

|sailarea upwind =

|sailarea downwind =

|sailarea total = {{convert|112|sqft|m2|abbr=on}}

|rating =

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|previous =

|successor =

}}

The American 14.6 is an American sailing dinghy that was first built in 1988.{{cite web|url = https://sailboatdata.com/sailboat/american-146|title = American 14.6 sailboat |access-date = 28 August 2019|last= McArthur| first = Bruce |work = sailboatdata.com|year = 2019|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190701181520/https://sailboatdata.com/sailboat/american-146|archive-date =1 July 2019|url-status= live}}

Production

The design has built by American Sail in the United States since 1988 and remains in production. 1200 examples have been completed.{{cite web|url = https://sailboatdata.com/builder/american-sail-inc-usa|title = American Sail Inc, (USA) |access-date = 28 August 2019|last= McArthur| first = Bruce |work = sailboatdata.com|year = 2019|archive-url = https://archive.today/20200711144824/https://sailboatdata.com/builder/american-sail-inc-usa|archive-date = 11 July 2020|url-status= live}}

Design

File:American 14.6 sailboat 2248.jpg

The American 14.6 is a recreational sailboat, built predominantly of fiberglass, with closed-cell flotation and anodized aluminum spars. It has raked stem, a vertical transom, a transom-hung, kick-up, spring-loaded rudder controlled by a tiller and a centerboard. It displaces {{convert|340|lb|kg|0|abbr=on}} and can accommodate four people. Features include a storage area for lunches and drinks.{{cite web|url = https://americansail.com/products/boats/american-146|title = American 14.6 sailboat|access-date = 28 August 2019|author=American Sail Inc |work = americansail.com|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170206141516/https://americansail.com/products/boats/american-146|archive-date = 6 February 2017|url-status= live}}

The boat has a draft of {{convert|3.50|ft|m|abbr=on}} with the centerboard extended and {{convert|0.33|ft|m|abbr=on}} with it retracted, allowing beaching or ground transportation on a trailer. The boat is delivered with a {{convert|700|lb|kg|abbr=on}} capacity trailer.

The boat is equipped with a motor bracket and can fitted with a small outboard motor for docking and maneuvering.

Operational history

A review in boats.com described the design as, "as an extremely stable, large, dry, daysailer providing fun for all ages".{{cite web|url = https://www.boats.com/reviews/defining-daysailing/|title = American 14.6: Defining Daysailing|access-date = 15 August 2019|author=Staff |work = boats.com|date = 18 June 2003|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180622054400/http://www.boats.com/reviews/defining-daysailing/|archive-date = 22 June 2018|url-status= live}}

The Society for the Education of American Sailors noted the design "is designed for the beginning sailor or those who are seeking a large, stable sloop that offers hassle-free sailing."{{cite web|url = https://bergen.sailseas.com/american.php|title = About the American 14.6|access-date = 28 August 2019|author=Society for the Education of American Sailors|work = bergen.sailseas.com|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180622002751/http://bergen.sailseas.com/american.php|archive-date = 22 June 2018|url-status= live}}

See also

References

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