About the Snipe

Serious Sailing, Serious Fun! Designed in 1931 and raced around the world, the Snipe celebrated its 80th birthday in 2011. While many boat designs and classes have come and gone, the Snipe and the Snipe Class have thrived. Key to the class … — ***Serious Sailing, Serious Fun!*** Designed in 1931 and raced around the world, the Snipe celebrated its 80th birthday in 2011. While many boat designs and classes have come and gone, the Snipe and the Snipe Class have thrived. Key to the class success is the camaraderie shared by Snipe sailors both on and off the water.

A 15' 6" two-person dinghy, the Snipe is best sailed by teams that weigh 270 to 325 lbs. The Snipe trailers easily and may be effectively sailed by all ages. In Annapolis, teams including couples, adults with teens, and parents sailing with their kids in addition to teams of people who are not related at all all enjoy the Snipe. Many post-college teams enjoy the Snipe, seeing it as a step beyond college sailing that demands high skills--but not the commitment of an Olympic campaign. Fleet 532 always welcomes new members and has a loaner boat that allows prospective members to experience "Serious Sailing, Serious Fun," (the Snipe motto) firsthand.

Fleet 532 is very active, hosting the Colonial Cup in the spring and the Frigid Digit in the fall. Spring, summer and fall series round out the SSA offerings. In addition there are numerous nearby regattas, including the Oxford (MD) One-design Regatta, Atlantic Coast Championship (often in Surf City, New Jersey), and regattas in New England. Annapolis Snipe sailors sightings have occured at the Atlanta Halloween Regatta and the Snipe Winter Circuit, which includes multiple regattas in Miami, Florida! Annapolis sailors also often participate in Nationals, Women's and Junior Nationals, and North Americans, which all rotate around the country, giving sailors a great variety venues. Annapolis Snipe Fleet teams also often represent the United States at international championships including Worlds, Women's Worlds, and the Western Hemisphere and Orient Championships. One of the hallmarks of Snipe sailing is the very high level of sailing Snipes on the international level.