The Squib has been described as “a lovely little yacht” but when it is being being sailed competitively it can readily be appreciated for performance characteristics more akin to a racing dinghy.

A huge strength of the strictly one-design Squib is its longevity.   A properly prepared boat of any age – from new to up to fifty years old, can be raced competitively at any level of competition, making the most of any initial investment. It is quite definitely not necessary to change boats regularly to be competitive.

There are three licensed sail makers: Batt Sails of Chichester; Hyde Sails  and Lonton and Gray in Burnham on Crouch. The Class builder is Rondar Raceboats.

The National Squib has proved itself as a classic racing keelboat. The concept originated by Oliver Lee half a century ago is still very successful, with a vibrant and strong class association and active fleets around the UK and Ireland including current and past champions from many of other classes. The standard of racing is second to none.

The National Squib also has a history  of providing  a superb sailing experience for people with a variety of challenges. The East Anglian Sailing Trust based its sailing programme on Squibs on the Orwell River in Suffolk. For many years the Island Sailing Club in Salcombe taught sailing for the blind. The Squib class provided boats to facilitate the sailing event for The Special Olympics at Rutland Water and again in Dun Laoghaire with minimal modifications to the accomodate the athletes’ needs.

Team GBR Paralympic sailors Hannah Stodel and Megan Pascoe have raced with distinction in UK Open Championship events.

• Simple to crew and maintain
• Close, boat on boat, tactical racing in club fleets, at regional and national championships and at regatta weeks
• Durability ensures low maintenance

• Wide range of competitive crew weights
• Win on the water, not at the bank
• One-Design class rules for a level playing field
• Towable by  a medium-sized car