Design
To contain costs and to provide closer racing, strict one design rules were introduced in 1997/98 for hull design and construction. A design by former skiff sailor, Craig Hughes, was accepted as being the most progressive and suitable to take the Class forward. The design rules also fixed the number of masts and sails which could be registered for the Australian Championship Series. Only two masts can be used and the number of sails is limited to three jibs, two main sails and two spinnakers. Boats utilise these sails in combinations to give different rig sizes which can be selected for optimal performance in different wind strengths.
16ft skiff specifications:
| Hull length | 4.88m (16ft) |
| Min beam | 1520 mm |
| Max beam | 1780 mm |
| Max sail area (working) | 22 m2 |
| Sail area (spinnaker) | approx. 45 m2 |
| Min crew | 3 |