The 12 foot skiff is a development sailing class that is sailed in NSW, QLD and New Zealand.

The main regattas are the State, Australian and Interdominion championships. NSW also holds interclub regattas during the season at Lane Cove, Saratoga, Abbotsford and Woollahra Sailing Club.

The highlight of the summer season, and considered the major regatta for 12 foot skiffs is the Interdominion championships normally held in January each year. The event alternates between Australian and New Zealand.

There are minimal hull measurement rules basically restricting length, beam and weight giving freedom for people to design and build their own boats, with the option also available to buy a "ready to sail" hull.

During the summer season, 12's are sailed weekly at local clubs (see contact), with the State Champsionships held prior to Christmas, the Interdominion Champsionship in January and the National Champsionships over Easter to close out the season.

It is common for people to buy the components for a boat and build it themselves, or seek assistance from the association. Hulls are Carbon Foam sandwich and have a minimum weight of 45kgs. A well built and maintained hull will be competitive for many years.

Cherub class hulls comply to the 12ft skiff rules and can competitively be sailed with minor (or no) modifications.

The Majority of boats run 2 or 3 carbon masts with a combination of sails giving up to 4 rig combinations. This allows the boats to race in 5 - 33 knots enjoyably. All the equipment lasts for several seasons as the wear and tear is spread across the rigs, and with sail material developments and carbon spars, its common for equipment to last for many years. This also means 2nd hand equipment is still competitive.

Campaigning a 12 requires a range of skills, including boat handling, tuning, boat maintenance, organisation and training. However, with recent equipment developments, and the introduction of carbon masts, 12's are manageable boats and any sailor with relative experience, such as cherubs or moths, would quite easily adapt.

Contact your local club or the association for any further information.