Invicta 12: gunter or peak sprit rig

This is the classic dinghy that started Clive's small boat collection and taught him the importance of a tight snotter

- 

New Zealand is one of the better places to go boating but I was not based in Auckland and had little time off work or easy access to launch facilities.

I lived in Wellington, which is not the easiest of places for small boat sailing. So, after eight years of being boat-less, the first thing I did on moving back to the Rye area was to explore the boatyards and launching facilities on the Rother.

Sitting on her trailer in the corner of Sea Cruisers' chandlery and boat yard was a traditional 12ft gunter rigged sailing dinghy in low maintenance GRP. I snapped her up for £650 and towed her home to prepare her for the season. I was attracted by her simple working boat lines.

She was an Invicta 12 designed and built by Brian Cory in the early 1970s. In all about 25 of these boats were built either as centreboard sailing dinghies or as small motor fishing boats.

Family business

Having built himself an Enterprise sailing dinghy in 1957, Brian Cory, an avid sailor, developed a passion for boatbuilding, and Cory Yachts has been building boats since 1966; from racing dinghies to cruising motorboats, every boat is built with craftsmanship and passion.

Brian's son, Simon, joined the firm and is now at the helm of the business. Brian's sailing background must have been a useful experience for a boatbuilder.

Simon has a long list of yacht and dinghy racing achievements including winning four national championships and a Eurocup. He has sailed his own yacht Cool Blue at Cowes Weeks, being second and third in class regularly.

He has also cruised Cool Blue extensively across Europe. Building boats since 1985, Simon is also a highly experienced designer and boatbuilder.