Mirror 14

Hello Everybody!

I just came across this wonderful website and thought I might share some pictures of our Mirror 14.

If I get enough positive feedback on the Mirror 14 topic I would try and open a Mirror 14 Roll Call document that might serve as a contact database for 14 owners.

My father and our family built this Mirror 14 in 1973/1974. I restored it a few years ago to almost as new condition - epoxy is so much better than old time varnish! It is now based at the Münchner Yacht Club (MYC) in Starnberg, Germany.

I put new mahogany decks and rubbing beads on it and put fiberglass-epoxy coating on the outside - I know, I know: the beginning of the end. But it looks good for the time being. The original plywood was rather inexpensive, Israeli-made AW100 and it was prone to blue-rot. Unfortunately the boat has picked up weight in the exercise, but it is still fun to sail. It is equipped with Proctor spars and Harken hardware. I had the sail re-sown and added additional hand-holes for completely drying the flotation tanks, as well as self draining ports just ahead of the transom. Since the center-board case was always a weak point my father added additional stiffeners. When adults sail the boat, the standard joint between the transom and the outer hull flexes and breaks, so a stepped wooden stiffener was added here. An unsolved issue is the centerboard seal. I replaced the original bottom-mounted hinge with a hinge that attaches to the top of the center-board case and reaches down to the hinge-point via stainless-steel plates. This avoids hinge bracket movement under loads which loosens the fixing-screws and lets water seep into the hull plywood. The historic center-board seal, however, was also attached with brass plates and would, again, breach the outer skin. No good. No solution found yet.

I may put a self-cleating traveller on it this winter, since the old aluminum traveller rail does not withstand the required loads when hauling the traveller and boom windward under heavy conditions. Also a rolling jib may make it easier to sail with children, as belaying the jib halyard requires considerable "manual power".

The boat has sailed on Bavarian lakes for 40 years and has been to the Med (Spain). Although it is a "Mirror", it is probably not a very good family boat. It is a true offshore racing dinghy. Two rather nimble adults required in order to sail her in blustering winds. Not the optimum for a relaxed weekend cruise, but loads of fun as soon as Junior takes to the trapeze ...

Looking forward to feed-back!

Cheers,

Corvin

Mirror 14 (pic. 2)

Mirror 14 (pic. 2)

Mirror 14 (pic. 2)

Mirror 14 (pic. 2)

Mirror 14 (pic. 2)

Mirror 14 (pic. 2)

Thanks for posting those pictures here - I can't remember seeing any images of a Mirror 14 before, and it's come as quite a surprise to see a Mirror with a trapeze and open back end. Is it designed to take a spinnaker? Anyway, it looks beautiful and must be a pleasure to own and sail. I hope there are more survivors out there and that Google will start to point their owners here.

62816inBerlin's picture

Here's a more public welcome to Corvin. "Corvus Rex" -- any linkage to Jack de Crow :-) ?
@ David : in Pete's article on Roy Partridge, there are pictures of both a Mirror 14 and a Mirror 16, see http://forum.mirrordiscussforum.org/node/37 .
Cheers,
Gernot H.

I must have seen pictures of the Mirror 14 before as I recognise the M with extra bits at the top, but I've never seen it shown as well as it is in the photos above. I know the Mirror 16 well though as there was one for a short time at my club.

Ashydasher's picture

Hi Corvin,

Very happy to find this forum, thank you for setting it up. I recently purchased a very run down Marauder sail number 511. The boat had been sitting in a sailing club dinghy park, very exposed, for at least 2 years so the condition is poor. I've started stripping all of the paint and varnish from the decks and cockpit and plan to epoxy the plywood, and redo all fibreglass seams. The hull isn't that bad but will need some attention. I'd post some pics but can't work out how to share them with you.

Any advice would be gratefully accepted. I am tossing up the relative merits of the transom flaps, and for the life of me I can't understand the raised floor for the crew. Is that to give strength to the centreboard case? I also don't have a spinnaker and would like to get one if I could.

Best

James

James,

I'm not sure if the crew deck was incorporated to add stiffness but under the class rules, it can be removed.

Ashydasher's picture

I hope to complete a Mirror 14 kit purchased from Bell Woodworking in the early 60s by my late uncle. The project was 80% finished before being mothballed in his workshop. My boat has a wooden boom which presumably was either a cheaper or earlier variant than Corvin's.

Steve

Corvin that looks to be a beautiful example. I’ve recently purchased a mirror 14 (in fair condition). I’m planning to give it some love in the coming year once I can dedicated some time to it. It’s sail number 214 and is in Melbourne Australia. The guy I bought it off had it a number of years and apparently bought it from some Canadians although not sure if they moved it here, built it here, or weren’t the original owners. I have quite a bit of blue paint to get off it once I get some time. I will be aiming to take it back to varnish topsides and a white hull so seeing your example is a great goal to aim for. I have a mirror (sail number 11818) which gets sailed from time to time with the kids on board. I just wanted to keep a relatively rare boat alive and I like the lines. Will post pics if I can work it out. I will no doubt be in touch to ask questions regarding centreboard and rigging once I get into it. Jack

This reminds I have a Mirror 14 kit still in its box, in a storage container somewhere here in the UK. Red sails, sheets, blocks and everything (apart from the mast, that was too long to ship). It’s never been touched.
My late father brought the kit when we lived in Malta back 1976. They used to make the Mirror and Mirror 14s under license in Msida creek, Malta. I spent my time sailing a plain Mirror.
Not sure when I will be building it. One day ....

PuffinInTegel's picture

Your story makes me wonder about how many more untouched or unfinished projects are lurking in garages, attics and basements all around the world.
If you don't feel up to tackling it, offer it to the world at large at a reasonable sum and I'm sure it'll find a good home. Of course e-bay is the starting place, but there are others such as this forum and the facebook group "dinghies and dinghy bits for sale" etc. The wooden boat forum (http://forum.woodenboat.com) is a very good bet, as members there are mainly dedicated to building, restoring and using wooden boats of all kinds, all around the world.
Cheers,
Gernot H.

Hi All,

A daft question, I know, but does anyone know where I might obtain a set of plans from, either to borrow and scan or to buy.

Cheers,

Dave.

Hi All,

Further to my previous post, I now have a lines drawing, but having acquired a latish Trott boat that needs some work, it would be handy to have a copy of a construction drawing. Does anyone have one that I could borrow to scan please?.. perhaps one provided with a part-finished or unbuilt kit?

Cheers,
DS.

62816inBerlin's picture

Hello Dave,
Perhaps youhaven't noticed. We have a "contact" function on the members profile page. This allows you to send a personal message to the person in question.
Charles S has written that he has a kit and connections to a manufacturer (his family), so he should be able to help you.

Domboy66's picture

Hello all,
I've recently taken on a Mirror 14 after finding it came along with the dinghy trailer I was buying at the time for my Graduate! I had no idea about this class of Mirror and only found out more after visiting your site. I recognised the sail insignia but that was about it! The boat is number 171 and is complete with sails spinnaker & running rigging, but sadly missing a mast & standing rigging? I have the wooden boom but can anyone shed any light on what mast I could use as a replacement? The boat is certainly a survivor but if I can't find a mast then I will have to rethink my options.
Many thanks, Dom

PuffinInTegel's picture

I'd look for any 14-footer mast (Enterprise, 420, Laser?) offered on E-bay etc. Should be possible to adapt it if you can't get an original M14 mast.
Cheers,
Gernot.

FD NED-15's picture

I have a Mirror 14 with a mast, but it is stored. The mast is quite long, longer than a 420 mast, even longer than a 470 mast I guess. Within a couple of weeks I can measure the mast for you if you wish.

PuffinInTegel's picture

While I was looking for the video to refer to on our editorial page, I chanced to find a clip featuring Mirror 14 number 56 being sailed in Vancouver. It dates to 2005, so this boat may still be around.
Maybe someone might be interested to start a "Roll Call" of Mirror 14s ?

Cheers,
Gernot

Justin's picture

Hi... I raced against a M14 in my youth, and was really impressed. Now we can find hardly any information or record of the Mirror 14 /Marauder. I am interested in getting a wreck to pull apart, but also would like to 3D scan any good boats accessible. I live in Sweden and UK and can be on the road in between in summer, with my scanner. 'Anyone keen to let me scan? Also, are there plans available anywhere, and Class Rules ? Is there a Class Association still going?
Cheers,
Justin

I have a very early mirror 14 (1964 - Purchased from Bell Woodworking) It has a wooden boom. The boat has never been in water and just requires the centre board fitting and rigging. I am looking to sell if anyone is interested ? Contact stephen.scorer@ymail.com