Snipe (boat class)
| Notation | |
|---|---|
|
|
| Boat dimensions | |
| Length above : | 4.72 m |
| Length WL : | 4.12 m |
| Width above sea level : | 1.52 m |
| Draft : | 1.00 m |
| Mast height : | 7.1 m |
| Weight (ready to sail): | 172.8 kg |
| Sail area | |
| Sail area close to the wind : | 11.9 m² |
| Others | |
| Rigging type: | Sloop |
| Class : | One-size-fits-all |
The Snipe is a two-man sailing dinghy with a length of 4.72 m (15.5 feet ). It is used for regatta sailing and meets the requirements for a one- size-fits-all class . The Snipe was designed by William Crosby in 1931. Over time, it has developed into a modern, tactically demanding regatta dinghy with a worldwide distribution in over 26 countries.
The Snipe is simple and small, it is easy to sail and, due to its low weight, easy to transport from regatta to regatta. The International Sailing Federation has recognized the Snipe boat class as an “international class”, which has resulted in a production of 30,000 units worldwide.
The international Snipe slogan is: Serious sailing, Serious fun .
As a sailboat that has had a lasting impact on sailors, it has become a defining boat class in the sailing world. It is a remarkable fact that the two top sailors Paul Elvstrøm and Torben Grael have sailed in the Snipe class with five and four Olympic medals respectively. The Snipe can be used by all different types of sailors, regardless of their age, weight or gender. Mixed teams are very common in the Snipe class.
Due to the regulations of a one-size-fits-all class, few things on board have changed in the past few years, so there is a good used boat market.
The name "Snipe" is derived from the bird species snipe , as you can see from the boat class symbol . This is called "Snipe" in the English-speaking world.
In the Snipe class there is lively regatta activity at all levels: local, national and international. The Int. Class association is organized in fleets and their championships allow a good comparison of the teams with each other at different levels.
World champion in the Snipe class
| year | Skipper and nationality | fleet |
| 1934 |
 William E. Bracey (USA)
|
1-Dallas |
| 1935 |
Perry Bass (USA)
|
1-Dallas |
| 1936 |
Philip Benson, Jr. (USA)
|
4-Sea Cliff |
| 1937 |
Arthur M. Deacon (USA)
|
3-Central Long Island Sound |
| 1938 |
Charles Gabor (USA)
|
10-Lake Mohawk |
| 1939 |
Walter Hall (USA)
|
62 Corinthian |
| 1940 |
Darby Metcalf (USA)
|
90 Los Angeles |
| 1941 |
Darby Metcalf (USA)
|
90 Los Angeles |
| 1942 |
Charles Heinzerling (USA)
|
190-Gull Lake |
| 1945 |
Bob White (USA)
|
94-Newport Harbor |
| 1946 |
Bob Davis (USA)
|
94-Newport Harbor |
| 1947 |
Ted A. Wells (USA)
|
93-Wichita |
| 1948 |
 Carlos Vilar Castex (ARG)
|
274 Club Náutico San Isidro |
| 1949 |
Ted A. Wells (USA)
|
93-Wichita |
| 1951 |
Jorge Vilar Castex (ARG)
|
274 Club Náutico San Isidro |
| 1953 |
 Antonio José Conde Martins (POR)
|
369-Vela Atlantico |
| 1955 |
 Mario Capio (ITA)
|
712-Tugillio |
| 1957 |
.svg){kind=small} Juan Manuel Alonso Allende (ESP)
|
151-Real Club Marítimo del Abra y Real Sporting Club |
| 1959 |
 Paul Elvstrøm (DEN)
|
585-Copenhagen |
| 1961 |
.svg){kind=small} Axel Schmidt (BRA)
|
477 San Francisco |
| 1963 |
Axel Schmidt (BRA)
|
477 San Francisco |
| 1965 |
Axel Schmidt (BRA)
|
477 San Francisco |
| 1967 |
Nelson Piccolo (BRA)
|
426-Rio Grande do Sul |
| 1969 |
 Earl Elms (USA)
|
495 Mission Bay |
| 1971 |
Earl Elms (USA)
|
495 Mission Bay |
| 1973 |
Félix Gancedo (ESP)
|
146-Real Club Mediterráneo |
| 1975 |
Félix Gancedo (ESP)
|
146-Real Club Mediterráneo |
| 1977 |
.svg){kind=small} Boris Ostergren (BRA)
|
426-Rio Grande do Sul |
| 1979 |
Dave Chapin (USA)
|
91-Island Bay |
| 1981 |
Jeff Lenhart (USA)
|
495 Mission Bay |
| 1983 |
Torben Grael (BRA)
|
159-Rio de Janeiro |
| 1985 |
Santiago Lange (ARG)
|
274 Club Náutico San Isidro |
| 1987 |
Torben Grael (BRA)
|
159-Rio de Janeiro |
| 1989 |
 Ricardo Fabini (URU)
|
506 Yacht Club Uruguayo |
| 1991 |
Axel Roger (ARG)
|
737-Club Universitario de Buenos Aires |
| 1993 |
Santiago Lange (ARG)
|
274 Club Náutico San Isidro |
| 1995 |
Santiago Lange (ARG)
|
274 Club Náutico San Isidro |
| 1997 |
 Mauricio Santa Cruz (BRA)
|
159-Rio de Janeiro |
| 1999 |
 Nelido Manzo (CUB)
|
22-Havana |
| 2001 |
Alexandre Paradeda (BRA)
|
426-Rio Grande do Sul |
| 2003 |
Augie Diaz (USA)
|
7-Miami |
| 2005 |
Augie Diaz (USA)
|
7-Miami |
| 2007 |
Tomas Hornos (USA)
|
77 Winchester |
Web links
Individual evidence
- ↑ Website Int. Snipe Class Association.Retrieved March 8, 2009