Snowbird Information, Review, Specs

The Snowbird's journey began in 1921 with Willis Reid's design, aimed at providing an affordable and easily home-built dinghy. This original iteration achieved significant recognition when it was selected as the one-design class for the 1932 Olympics, a testament to its competitive and equitable design. In the 1940s, Edson B. Schock, a notable naval architect and a relative of the founder of W.D. Schock, further developed the design, publishing modified plans in Rudder Magazine. This updated version became particularly popular among junior sailors in Newport Beach, California.

W.D. Schock, a company known for its commitment to quality fiberglass yachts and for democratizing sailing, began building a fiberglass version of Edson Schock's modified Snowbird in 1961. This move showcased W.D. Schock's pioneering adoption of fiberglass as a primary construction material and their focus on producing accessible yet competitive sailing vessels. A total of 28 fiberglass Snowbirds were built by W.D. Schock, carrying forward the dinghy's enduring design into a new era of boat building.

Sailing Performance and Handling

As a compact and lightweight cat-rigged dinghy, the Snowbird is characterized by its responsive handling and agile performance. With a length overall of just under 12 feet (11.95 ft) and a notably light displacement of 130 pounds, she is designed for nimble maneuverability. Her beam of 5 feet provides a stable platform for her size.

Equipped with a centerboard, the Snowbird offers significant versatility in terms of draft, capable of sailing in just 0.38 feet of water when the board is raised, and reaching a maximum draft of 3.0 feet when fully deployed for optimal upwind performance. The reported sail area of 102 square feet, combined with her light displacement, suggests a boat that is quick to accelerate and performs well in lighter wind conditions. Her heritage as a one-design Olympic class vessel underscores her design's emphasis on pure sailing characteristics, making her a fun and engaging boat for learning and racing alike.

Accommodations and Layout

Consistent with its design as a small sailing dinghy, the Snowbird features a straightforward, open cockpit layout. Given its dimensions, there are no enclosed accommodations or interior headroom. The design prioritizes functional space for the crew and essential sailing controls, reflecting its purpose as a daysailer and junior racing boat. The simple, uncluttered arrangement allows for ease of movement within the cockpit and a direct connection to the sailing experience.