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Chuck Lantz | profile | all galleries >> Galleries >> 18' SKIFF NATIONALS - SF BAY - 9/3/ 2004 tree view | thumbnails | slideshow

18' SKIFF NATIONALS - SF BAY - 9/3/ 2004

All photos are unedited. More photos from 9/2 and 9/3 will be added soon. For information on purchasing photo prints or CDs, contact: Chuck@2003AC.com

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Chuck Lantz04-Sep-2004 08:35
Thanks, Rick. The 18-foot skiffs used to be called the "Aussie 18's". They were first used as river and harbor workboats in Australia in the 1800's. Small, fast hulls, with lots of sail area. Naturally, anything that fast and crazy had to be raced. They've developed from the original wooden hulls and spars, to the current high-tech super-boats you see here.

They can hit 30+ knots in a decent breeze, and it's not unusual to see them actually fly up and out of the water on a downwind run, with only the rudder-tip still in the water. They are so light, four crew can carry the entire boat, sails and all. As you can see, they are top-heavy, with no keel. So, if they are put in the water without crew to balance them, they'll tip right over.

Sailing them in a good wind has been described as "like being sprayed with an ice-cold fire hose". They're a bit rare in the States, but are extemely popular in Australia and New Zealand.
Guest 04-Sep-2004 06:13
I'd not seen these kinds of sailboats Chuck, thanks for sharing. They carry an amazing about of sail area for the size of the boat, no doubt why three guys can hike out so far just to keep the boat upright. The tiller extension I see them use is something else! Gotta think these boats really fly through the water, yes?
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