Snipes in Hungary

Originally published on the Snipe Bulletin – Summer 2007

Capt. Zsolt Regenyi of Hungary recently wrote to the SCIRA office for the 75th Anniversary. He writes:

The first Snipe was built here in 1948 by József (Joci) Reichstetter who is now 84 years old.

Born in 1923, he began sailing when he was 12. “Ketyi” was the nickname of his sailing instructor.

In 1940 he was able to obtain the drawings for the Snipe from abroad with the assistance of a journalist. He is a handicapped man and in spite of that he made very good work all his life.

He built the first Hungarian Snipe by himself in 1948, and was Hungarian Champion in the Snipe.

The name of the boat was “Bukfenc” which translates to “tumble or somersault.” Later he built 4 more among others, and another Snipe for himself in 1985 which is still in use today. The workmanship was very good on all his boats, especially taking into consideration his paralyzed leg (one was absolutely useless).

Regattas began in Hungary in the Snipe in 1949 which he won and was 2nd in 1950. He finished actively sailing in 1955. He is now a painter and a model boat maker. He was emotionally influenced by his first instructor “Ketyi” and a painting of his instructor is enclosed as well as a photo of the first Hungarian Snipe “Bukfenc” and Snipe #2.