Perhaps some insight could be found in the history of the evolution of the International 14 monohull dinghy class. History can be found at www.international14.org.
Here is the introduction to the text of the history, as told by the official historian, who is in England (the second and third paragraphs might be particularly pertinent):
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THE HISTORY OF THE INTERNATIONAL FOURTEEN
To tell the story of the International Fourteen is to recall the early history of small boat racing in this country, for the International Fourteen was originally the National Fourteen and it was but an amalgam of this country's principal 14ft dinghy classes of the early part of the century. Today there is a wide choice of International and National dinghy classes and examples of each can be found in most sailing centres.
Seventy years ago the situation was very different, as parochial forces jealously guarded their local class — specially devised to meet local conditions. Argument raged over the merits of various designs and the case for one design or restricted classes. From all the discussion the Fourteens were to gain one of their greatest assets, a liberal set of rules that allowed progressive development and encouraged experiment.
The philosophy that led to the formation of the first National dinghy class holds good today, but on an International plane. For the International Fourteen is one of the few classes that allows nations to design and build craft to their own ideas, and yet still compete on equal terms with dinghies of other nations; the modem Fourteen, as will be seen, draws its inspiration from many parts of the world.
