Sailing Dinghy Optimist

Sailing Dinghy Optimist

12ft Skiff

History

The origin of the Skiff is dubious, but it is thought to have roots in the smaller skiff’s sailed on Sydney Harbour in the late 1800s. The Skiff became a class in its own right in 1924, when it was raced in several clubs around Britain, at this time the skiff was manned by a crew of 5, but around about the 1940s it changed to a two man boat, and then became the 2 man boat that is used today. After the 1940s the skiff went international.

Nowadays the 12 ft Skiff is mainly sailed in Australia and New Zealand, although it is growing in popularity in Great Britain.

Performance

The Skiff is similar to the larger and better known 18ft Skiff. Of all skiffs the 12footer is known for being the hardest to sail,, primarily due to its small footprint relative to its sail area, being able to reach up to 25 knots.

References

^ “12ft Skiff Dinghy Class Information”. www.noblemarine.co.uk. http://www.noblemarine.co.uk/boats/dinghy/12ft-Skiff/. Retrieved 2009-06-15. 

^ “Twelve Foot Skiff Association: History”. www.skiff.org. http://www.skiff.org.au/history.htm. Retrieved 2009-06-15. 

^ sail-world.com Aussies fend off Kiwis in 12 ft skiff win, Sail World, January 13, 2007, http://www.sail-world.com/news.cfm?Nid=30251&SRCID=4 sail-world.com 

^ a b “12ft Skiff”. www.freebase.com. http://www.freebase.com/view/en/12ft_skiff. Retrieved 2009-06-15. 

^ “12ft SKIFFS”. www.vanmunsterboats.com. http://www.vanmunsterboats.com/12ft Skiffs.html. Retrieved 2009-06-15. 

^ “General Specifications”. www.skiff.org.. http://www.skiff.org.au/technical.htm. Retrieved 2009-06-15. 

External links

Official Site

Specifications

Information about the boats performance

The skiffs entry on Freebase

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Classes of sailing dinghy, scow, sharpie and skiff (worldwide)

29er skiff  29erXX skiff   405 (“Four-oh-five”)  420 (“Four-twenty”)  470 (“Four-seventy”)  49er  505 (“Five-oh-five”)  3000  A-Scow  Access 2.3  Access Liberty  Adventuress  Albacore  ASC  Astus 14.1  Australian Sharpie  Banshee  Beaufort  Beetle Cat  Bermuda Fitted Dinghy  Blaze  Blue Jay  Bosun  British Moth  BP18  Buccaneer 18  Butterfly  Buzz  Byte  C-Lark  Cadet  Cape Cod Frosty   Cherokee  Cherub  Comet  Contender  Corsair  Coypu  Dabchick  Daring  Dart  Day Sailer  Drascombe  E-Scow  El Toro  Enterprise  Escape  Extra  Fatty Knees  Finn  Fireball  Firefly  Fly  Flying Ant  Flying Dutchman  Flying Eleven  Flying Junior  Flying Scot  Force 5  Frog  GP14  Graduate  Gull  Heron  Highlander  Holdfast Trainer  Hornet  Idle-along  IDRA14  International Canoe  International Twelve  International 14  Invitation  12ft Skiff  13ft skiff  16ft Skiff  18ft Skiff  Jacksnipe  Javelin  Jersey Skiff  Jet 14  Jollyboat  JY15  Lark  Laser  Laser Bahia  Laser Radial  Laser 4.7  Laser 2  Laser 2000  Laser 3000  Laser 4000  Laser 5000  Laser Pico  Laser SB3  Laser Stratos  Laser Vago  Laser Vortex  Laser Funboat  Lelievlet  Lido 14  Lightning  Manly Junior  MG14  Marlin  Merlin Rocket  Minto  Miracle  Mirror  Mirror 16  Mistral  Moth  Musto Performance Skiff  Mutineer 15  Naples Sabot  National 12  Norfolk Punt  NS14  O’Day DaySailer  OK Dinghy  Optimist  Osprey  Otter  P Class  Pacer  Payne-Mortlock sailing canoe  Pegasus  Pelican  Pirate  Penguin  Phantom  Precision 15  Puddle Duck Racer  RS200  RS300  RS400  RS500  RS600  RS700  RS800  RS Feva  RS Vareo  RS Vision  RS K6  Sabot  Sabre  Salcombe Yawl  Sea Bright  Scorpion  Scow (A, C, E, MC, M16, 17)  Snark  Snipe  Solo  Spiral  Starling  Streaker  Sunburst  Sunfish  Tadpole  Tasar  Thames A Class Rater  Thistle  Tinker Traveller  Tinker Star Traveller  Topper  Topper Topaz  Topper Topaz Taz  Topper Topaz Magno  Topper Topaz Omega  Topper Topaz Vibe  Topper Topaz Xenon  Turnabout  Turtle  Twinkles 10 & 12  Vagabond  Vanguard 15  Vaurien  Wanderer  Wayfarer  Windmill  Windy  X boat  Winkle Brig  Woodpussy  Y flyer  Zeddie  Zephyr  Zoom 8

Categories: Dinghies
About the Author

I am an expert from China Suppliers, usually analyzes all kind of industries situation, such as outdoor park bench , outdoor plant pots.

Need help deciding what sailing boat to buy.?

I am 19 and have been sailing for 10 years. I started off sailing optimists and then moved on to toppers,mirrors and RS fevas. I am a competitive sailor and raced on these circuits for many years. I want to move on and up my standard of sailing in a larger dinghy (e.g. 420, laser etc) The problem is I only weigh 48-50kgs and am only 157cms tall. My crew is only 50kg also so our combined weight is too low for a larger double hander.
I enjoy sailing single handers also and I’ve heard that a laser 4.7 may be a good option but I’m not sure if I’ll be able to handle it due to my weight, and height ( would it be possible to hike effectively?)
I really want to get out of the youth classes at this stage and move onto the big stuff. Whatever boat I choose I would definitely be aiming to handle it in up to 30 knots.

you’ve described several great sailing boats, but the real question is “what sailboat classes are being competitively sailed in your area?” while weight is one factor, its not the only one. in light winds you will have a big advantage, and it’s possible to de-power your boat in the stronger winds.

your size puts you right on the low edge for the laser 4.7. it is a smaller sail plan for the Laser. The sail area was reduced by 35% from the Standard with a shorter pre-bent bottom mast section, allowing even lighter sailors to sail. The same formula as the Radial is kept. The hull is the same as the Standard and Radial. Optimal weight for this rig is 110–120 lb (50–55 kg).

you may also like to look at smaller keelboat classes as an option. it’s hard to advise you which boats to look at with out knowing what your local racing fleet looks like.

OPPI Optimist Dinghy Capsize – Adult Demonstration