13ft skiffs

Originally posted by tgruitt Jim, is there anyone in the south west who does test sails in a cherub.

Very doable I would have thought. Weymouth and Plymouth are regular venues for us. Hit the Message form on the website and contact the webmaster and he'll see what can be set up.

Yep, the 13 was designed very much as a feeder for 16s. The 16' skiff clubs (which often have loads of money and provide interest-free loans for boat purchase, nominal membership and undercover boat storage, something like $150+ for starting each race IIRC and maybe $300+ for a scratch of handicap club heat win) wanted a "pet" feeder class as they couldn't control the existing feeders (Cherubs etc). They also felt they weren't getting enough of the feeder crews into 16s.

The skiff movement also doesn't like SMODS but they like ODs (nowadays). The boat looks really nice and is from all accounts quicker than a 29er as well as looking easier to sail. It has U shaped hull sections, more like a 16' skiff or typical modern design than the Bethwaite Vee shaped sections.

The U sections and higher volume seem to make the boat more stable, and more buoyant and give it more dynamic lift. In a medium-speed boat they are the normal choice. Compared to a Cherub they have more length and easier lines.

Will it happen as a big class? Unlikely, I'd have thought. The biggest skiff club has 30 or so active Cherubs, the 3rd biggest (or so) has about a dozen. So even inside the skiff movement, the 13 is pushing it. Pity. It looks to me better than a 29er (but I haven't sailed one or  quizzed those who have).



Edited by Chris 249

Hi Tom

I havent sailed a 13 foot skiff but have sailed a cherub! I'd get one of them.

As far as I can work out the 13' is designed to be the feeder class into the Aussie 16' skiff and looks like an okay boat. At least with a cherub, a growing class in this Country, you will get the opportunity off class racing at open meetings and the nationals. As you probably know, its not the biggest class in the world but its quality not quantity that counts .

As for importing boats from Aus, i would have thought that it aint going to be cheap to get one boat over here.   

Hi,

I was wondering if anyone had sailed a 13ft skiff before, I know they are sailed in Australia but I'm thinking about getting one imported, does anyone know if they are any good. Or am I just as well off getting a cherub?

Thanks

Tom