skiff or no skiff

Simple.

Can your average traditional classes club sailor get in one for the very first time and get it succesfully round the course in a F4 under control without swimming too much or hurting themselves?

Yes?

It ain't a skiff.

Just read the first posting and find it quite amusing that someone sailing a Laser4000 would describe the 49er as tamed down!!!

The gospel according to St.Rawberry:

Skiffs are Australian 12ft, 16ft, and 18ft skiffs, aswell the historical 6ft-22ft skiffs. A skiff class involves unrestricted rigs, a long history, and a particular way of life, not just a charecteristic hull shape. The term "skiff" has been stolen by SMOD manufacturers to market their badly built and badly designed dinghies, with the aim of trying to assosiate them with the "real skiff" performance and culture, so they can make more money. Other types of boat may be based upon "skiffs", and skiff design principles, but are not "real skiffs". They are "skiff like".

Anyone who thinks a SMOD can ever be a skiff is just the sort of pleb who is brain-washed by the marketing bullsh*t.

When a SMOD manufacturer describes their dinghy as a skiff, do you think they're trying to assosiate it with this:

Or with this:

This is my opinion, and I'm sure you have yours. I'm not going to argue about this with you, or try to persuade you differently. Because frankly, your wrong, and I don't care!

This is the word of the Strawb. Sermon over!

And whoever said skiffs have to have "flat bottoms" needs to take a look at this:

Maybe you should pop Down-Under and tell the owner of this vessel, that he's unfortunately disillusioned and he doesn't own a skiff after all.

A bit offensive ...

So this isn't a skiff then?

or this ...

I think there are boats that claim "skiff" status that are not but I think your view is a little black & white and the world isn't like that.

Rick