Snipe (dinghy)
 Class symbol | |
 | |
| Development | |
|---|---|
| Boat | |
| Crew | 2 |
| Draft | 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) |
| Hull | |
| Hull weight | 381 lb (173 kg) |
| LOA | 15 ft 6 in (4.72 m) |
| Beam | 5 ft (1.5 m) |
| Rig | |
| Sails | |
| Upwind sail area | 128 sq ft (11.9 m2) |
| Racing | |
| D-PN | 91.9[1] |
| RYA PN | 1117[2] |
The Snipe is a 15+1⁄2 foot, 2 person, one design racing dinghy. Designed by William Crosby in 1931, it has evolved into a modern, tactical racing dinghy with fleets around the world. The Snipe is simple, making it easy to sail and trailer. The boat is recognized by the International Sailing Federation as an International Class and is sailed in 26 different countries. There have been over 30,000 Snipes constructed worldwide.
The global Snipe slogan is "Serious sailing, Serious fun".
The Snipe class has both developed and attracted some of the sailing world's top competitors. The top two olympic medalists in sailing Torben Grael and Paul Elvstrøm have competed in the Snipe. Grael, winner of five Olympic medals, began his world class career by winning a junior Snipe world championship, and subsequently two world championships. Elvstrøm was Snipe world champion in 1959 having won three of his four Olympic golds and world championships in the Finn and 505 class.
It can be sailed by all types of persons, no matter their age, their weight, or their sex. Co-ed crews are very popular in Snipe sailing.
Perhaps because of the very limited evolutions of the boat allowed over the years, there is an excellent second-hand market.
Regattas are held in most countries and local, regional, national and international championships offer great opportunities to compete at different levels of skills.
It's also easy and cheap to transport.
History
During a meeting of the Florida West Coast Racing Association in march, 1931, Bill Crosby promised to publish a new trailer boat design in the magazine "The Rudder". This was done on the July, 1931 issue, and the new boat was called "Snipe". The first unit was built in Pass Christian, Mississippi and was issued sail number 1 of the class in September, 1931. By may, 1932, 150 boats were already registered, and by the end of the year the number reached 250. In July, 1936, the class was the largest racing class in the world.
References
- ^ "Centerboard Classes". US Sailing. Retrieved 31 July 2012.
- ^ "The RYA Portsmouth Yardstick Number List for 2004" (PDF). Royal Yachting Association. Retrieved 22 August 2012.
- SCIRA Deeds of Gift, [1].
- SCIRA listing of fleets, [2].
- SCIRA Regatta Results, [3].
- 2007 World championship official website, [4]
- 2009-12 Snipe Class International Racing Association official rulebook, [5]
External links
- Snipe Today online magazine
- SCIRA
- Snipe USA
- Snipe Brazil
- The versatile Snipe is one of racing's best buys, as its top skippers will gladly testify. Sports Illustrated Aug. 03 1959
Current Builders