Snipe Fleet 12Fleet 12 and the Snipe class
Snipe racing on San Francisco Bay, part of a class that has been racing worldwide since 1931.
About Fleet 12
Snipe Fleet 12 is the San Francisco Bay home of the Snipe, the two-person, one-design dinghy that has been racing since 1931. The class is governed by SCIRA and recognized internationally by World Sailing.
Snipes have raced on the Bay for generations, and the Bay has hosted the US National Championship several times: at Encinal Yacht Club in 1988, and at Richmond Yacht Club in 1995 and again in 2008. Today we sail out of Richmond Yacht Club and Encinal Yacht Club, on some of the best dinghy water in the country. Our fleet is a mix of seasoned class veterans and newer sailors, and we like to keep the racing serious and the dock afterward friendly.
This year we’re focused on growing the fleet. We want to bring new sailors into the class, work with younger sailors, and make it easier to try a Snipe without buying one. We’re also expanding our calendar to include more Bay venues, starting an end-of-season awards program, and building toward a two-day NorCal championship.
If you’ve sailed dinghies before, are looking for a competitive but welcoming class, or just want to crew for a day, we’d love to hear from you. Check the calendar for upcoming races and reach out through the contact form to get involved.
Fleet 12 through the years
Generations of Snipe racing on San Francisco Bay.
About the Class
Many boat designs and classes have come and gone, but the Snipe Class has always been there to offer Serious Sailing, Serious Fun!® With boats that last and fleets around the world.
The Snipe Class offers the best racing you can imagine, for champions and beginners. We have fun building skills in local fleets and provide a stairstep to World Championships, Western Hemispheres, Europeans and Nordic Championships. The growth potential is unlimited in the Snipe. Our sailors span from daysailing fun to those who have aspired and won in Olympic Classes and the America's Cup.
Whether you want to sail locally with friends on weekends, or aspire to international competition with a global network of friends, the Snipe is the boat for you.