Home › Sports › Sailing › Skiff

What is Skiff in Sailing?

A high-powered, lightweight racing dinghy with a large sail area and flat hull that skims (planes) across the water, crewed on trapeze wires. The Olympic skiffs are the 49er (men) and 49erFX (women).

Example: Skiff crews spend the whole race suspended over the water on wires.

Related terms

Tack (manoeuvre)Tack (port/starboard)Gybe (jibe)Beat (upwind leg)Run and reachWindward and leewardLaylineMark
Full Sailing guide