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Snipe Class Racing
Charlie's Snipeovation Snipe Sailboat Racing Genius!
Serious sailing, serious fun — race logs, conditions & settings
Serious sailing, serious fun — race logs, conditions & settings
Official class rules governed by the Snipe Class International Racing Association (SCIRA). The Snipe is a strict one-design class — all boats must comply with identical specifications for fair competition.
📄 Download the full official Class Rules PDF from snipe.org
The Snipe is a 15-foot 6-inch (4.72m), two-person, one-design racing dinghy designed by William F. Crosby in 1931. It is governed by the Snipe Class International Racing Association (SCIRA). The class is sailed in over 30 countries with active fleets worldwide.
SCIRA is the governing authority for the Snipe class. All boats shall comply with the International Snipe Building Specification and these class rules. Only SCIRA-licensed builders may produce hulls for class racing.
Each Snipe shall have a valid measurement certificate. Sail numbers are assigned by SCIRA national secretaries. Boats must be available for measurement and inspection at any event. The measurement certificate must be available upon request.
Snipe hulls may only be built by SCIRA-licensed builders. Current licensed builders include JibeTech (USA), DB Marine/MAS (Italy), Zeltic (Spain), and Persson (Sweden). Building without a license is prohibited.
Length Overall (LOA): 15 ft 6 in (4.72 m)
Waterline Length (LWL): 12 ft 8 in (3.86 m)
The hull length is measured from the forward face of the stem to the aft face of the transom along the centerline. Tolerances are specified in the measurement handbook.
Maximum Beam: 5 ft 0 in (1.52 m)
Measured at the widest point of the hull. The hull features a hard-chine design.
Minimum Hull Weight: 381 lbs (173 kg) — rigged hull without sails
This includes all rigging, fittings, and equipment permanently attached. If a hull is underweight, corrector weights shall be added and secured in a position specified by the class rules. The minimum weight ensures sound construction and fairness.
Draft (board down): 3 ft 3 in (0.99 m)
Draft (board up): 6 in (0.15 m)
The Snipe uses a retractable daggerboard (not a pivoting centerboard). The board trunk position and dimensions are specified in the building specification.
Hulls shall be constructed of fiberglass reinforced plastic (FRP). Wood hulls built prior to fiberglass adoption remain eligible. No exotic materials (carbon fiber, Kevlar) are permitted in the hull shell. Core materials are specified by the building specification. All hulls must conform to the official mold dimensions.
The transom has an angled rake as specified in the building plans. The rudder is transom-hung using pintles and gudgeons. The tiller with extension is mandatory. The rudder blade shall be of the shape and dimensions specified in the class rules.
Sufficient built-in buoyancy is required to keep the boat afloat when capsized or swamped. Air tanks or foam flotation shall be fitted as specified. The buoyancy shall be sufficient to support the crew in the water alongside the capsized boat.
Only fittings and modifications specifically permitted by the class rules may be used. All boats must maintain the one-design character. Decks, cockpit layout, and structural modifications beyond what is permitted are prohibited. Running rigging control lines and their leads may be configured as the sailor chooses within the rules.
The Snipe uses a fractional sloop rig with a single set of shrouds and no forestay (the jib luff wire acts as the headstay). The rig is unstayed aft — there is no backstay.
Maximum mast length: 6,499 mm (21 ft 4 in) from heel to top measurement point (post-2000 boats)
Material: Aluminum alloy
Mast step position: The step shall be located 390–400 mm from the sheer as specified
Carbon fiber and other exotic materials are not permitted. The mast section, wall thickness, and taper must conform to approved specifications. Controlled pre-bend is permitted within class tolerances.
The boom shall be aluminum alloy. Maximum and minimum dimensions are specified. The boom attaches to the mast via a gooseneck fitting. Boom vang, outhaul, and cunningham attachment points are permitted as specified.
Shrouds: Single set of shrouds, wire or rod as permitted
Wire sizes: 2.5mm compressed strand or 3mm standard are commonly used
Spreaders: Required, one pair. Spreader length and sweep angle are adjustable within class limits
Chainplate positions are fixed by the building specification. Shroud tension is adjustable at the turnbuckles.
Mast rake is measured as the distance from the top of the mast to the transom using a tape measure hoisted on the main halyard. Typical rake ranges from 25'8" to 25'11" depending on conditions. The rake is adjusted via shroud tension and turnbuckle length.
Total sail area: 128 sq ft (11.9 m²)
This is the combined area of the mainsail and jib. No spinnaker or other headsails are permitted. Only two sails may be carried and used while racing.
The mainsail dimensions (luff, leech, foot, and roach) are strictly specified. Battens are required and their number, length, and position are controlled. Sail shall not extend beyond the black bands on mast and boom. Window panels are permitted within specified size limits. The mainsail shall be measured and stamped by an official measurer.
The jib dimensions are strictly specified. The jib luff wire serves as the headstay. Jib sheet lead position is adjustable within the cockpit. No overlapping headsails (genoas) are permitted. The jib shall be measured and stamped by an official measurer.
Sails shall be made of woven polyester (Dacron) cloth. Laminate sails (Mylar, Kevlar, carbon) are not permitted. Sails may be obtained from any sailmaker. Popular Snipe sailmakers include Quantum Sails, North Sails, and Olimpic Sails. Each sail must carry the SCIRA class emblem and assigned sail number.
Each boat is assigned a unique sail number by SCIRA. The Snipe class insignia (the snipe bird) shall be displayed on the mainsail as specified. Sail numbers shall be displayed on both sides of the mainsail in contrasting color, with minimum numeral height and spacing as specified in the class rules.
The Snipe uses a retractable daggerboard (not a pivoting centerboard). The board profile, maximum thickness, length, and width are specified. Material shall be wood, fiberglass, or approved composites — no carbon fiber. The board shall fit within the trunk without excessive play. The leading and trailing edge profiles are controlled.
The rudder blade shape, dimensions, and profile are specified. The rudder is transom-hung and may be a fixed or kick-up design. Material shall be wood, fiberglass, or approved composites — no carbon fiber. The rudder cheeks and blade thickness are controlled by the measurement rules.
Number of crew: 2 (skipper and crew)
There is no maximum or minimum crew weight limit in the class rules. Optimal combined weight is generally 260–340 lbs (118–154 kg). Both crew members may hike using hiking straps. Trapeze is not permitted.
Required equipment includes: paddle or oar, bailer or pump, and adequate personal flotation devices as required by the sailing instructions. An anchor with sufficient line may be required by the Notice of Race. All required equipment shall be carried while racing.
Electronic instruments for measuring wind speed, wind direction, boat speed, or compass heading are prohibited while racing. A traditional magnetic compass is permitted. No communication devices may be used for coaching during racing. Cameras and recording devices are permitted but may not provide performance data.
Hiking straps are mandatory and their positioning is specified. All hiking shall be done using the hiking straps — no mechanical hiking aids, racks, wings, or trapeze systems are permitted. Crew members' bodies shall not extend beyond the hull's natural line as aided by the hiking straps.
SCIRA sanctions the following major championships:
World Championship — alternates between Western and Eastern Hemispheres
Western Hemisphere & Orient Championship (WHOC)
European Championship
South American Championship
National Championships — organized by each country's national secretary
Championship events have specific entry requirements including SCIRA membership and valid measurement certificates.
To race in SCIRA-sanctioned events, the skipper must be a current SCIRA member. Crew membership is encouraged but may not be required for all events. Membership is obtained through national SCIRA secretaries. Annual dues support class administration, publications, and championship organization.
Chartering (borrowing) boats for events is permitted and encouraged to promote international competition. The charter boat must have a valid measurement certificate and comply with all class rules. Charter arrangements are common at major championships where shipping boats is impractical.
Reference: SCIRA — Official Snipe Class Rules. This is a reference summary. Always consult the official class rules PDF for complete and binding text.
