title: 16ft Skiff
text: # 16ft Skiff
  
  A 16 ft Skiff is a class of three-person sailing dinghy with twin trapezes and a large asymmetrical spinnaker. The class is unique to Australia, where it is one of the most popular boats sailing with 95 boats registered in 12 clubs. The class has the largest fleet of high performance skiffs on the east coast of Australia. Due to the nature of only allowing two trapezes, the age of the sailors can vary between 15 and 60 years old, making it a versatile class of boat.
  
  ## Construction
  
  The hull, spars and foils are all constructed out of a carbon composite reinforced polymer. Manufacturers of these hulls are generally local boat builders, however are now being sourced overseas. The total weight of the boat is no more than 85 kg fully rigged, resulting in an extremely high sail area to weight ratio.
  
  ## History
  
  The class has been around for over a century and has changed significantly since its beginnings:
  
  ### 1901
  
  Class founded in Balmain
  
  ### 1908
  
      Class expands to Queensland
  
  ### 1922
  
      Class spreads to Western Australia
  
  ### 1976
  
      Rules change to allow any material for hull
  
  ### 1986
  
      Three man crew introduced
  
  ### 1997–98
  
      Stick class rules were introduced
  
  ## Class specifications
  
  * Overall length—4.88 metres (16.0 ft)
  * Construction—Carbon Fibre Reinforced Polymer (CFRP)
  * Min beam—1.52 metres (5.0 ft)
  * Max beam—1.78 metres (5.8 ft)
  * Min weight—70 kilograms (154 lb)
  * Working sail area—22 square metres (240 sq ft)
  * Spinnaker sail area—45 square metres (480 sq ft)
  * Racing crew—Three
  