In ye' olden days...

Basically back then the theory went that the more people you could squeeze onto the windward gunwale, the more rag you could carry, anf the faster you'd go.

I'd have loved to see them trying to tack and gybe one a breezy day though...

Not sure about the Sydney Skiffs, but the Bermuda Fitted dinghies allow crew to be "Jettisoned"

" Unique to the class rules is the jettisoning of crew. Once crew has left the boat (normally on a downwind run) they may not re-board. The trick then is for the remaining crew to manage to keep the boat upright. Finishes are always upwind. It's rare for all the boats in a race to actually finish: one crew member's usually futile job is to furiously bail water as it pours over the leeward side. It's common for boats to swamp and sink in one race, then be righted, bailed and sailed to victory in a later race the same day."

See http://www.boats.com/news-reviews/articledetail.html?lid=113 30 for more info

Just about still on topic I guess, but I made myself one of those in the early 70s I think it must have been?

Panels are cut out using a template, then butted together and glued, the tapes are then added to the outside, again glued on over the joints.

Problem was if you got glue onto the lining, when it dried hard it would rub on your skin, had never hear of a rash vest then!!!

I know I stitched mine as well as glued, this made a big difference and it lasted ages. Kits were quite cheap I remember, certainly a lot cheaper than the Javlin wetsuits.....