The Snipe at a Glance:

Line Drawing of the Snipe

LOA

15' 6"

LWL

13' 6"

Beam

5'

Sail Plan

main/jib, whisker pole for the jib off wind (no spinnaker)

Sail Area

128 sq. ft.

Weight

381 lbs. (hull, spars, fixed rigging, blades)

Draft (daggerboard up/down)

6"/3' 3"

Hull shape

hard chine

Number of crew

2

Optimum crew weight

275-330 lbs.

Class Association

Snipe Class International Racing Association (SCIRA); governs the affairs of the class and the measurement of the boats

Limitations on changes

Strict one-design but allows for rigging and deck layout innovation

Fleets (US)

76 in 29 States

Fleets (International)

216 in 23 countries

Designer (year)

Bill Crosby (1931)

Snipe Class History

Major regattas

• World, Junior World, Womens World, World Masters Championships (every 2 yrs.)
• Western Hemisphere Championships (every 2 years opposite Worlds)
• Nationals (all countries)
• North American Championships
• South American Championships
• European Championships

Builders

Multi-builder class (at least 3 US)

Construction (hull)

Varies with builder; generally klegecell foam sandwiched between fiberglass and vacuum bagged; many wooden boats (old and new) sailing competitively; no exotic materials (carbon or kevlar fibers allowed)

Construction (mast)

All competitive masts are aluminum, with top taper

Sail controls

jib/main cunninghams; vang; outhaul; mast ram; traveller; jib halyard (eased when used with whisker pole)

Price (US estimate)

• $8000 new (race ready: hull, spars, blades, all running rigging)
• $2500-$4000 for competitive used boat (race ready, usually including trailer)

Sails (US average)

$900