Balmain Bug: classic Australian dinghies

Lobsters, sails and some wood

When fate takes you to Sydney, ask the locals for the meaning of the phrase "balmain bug". Most of them will tell you that this is a type of lobster. However, some Australians will remember that the “balmain bug” is not only marine life, but also a whole class of dinghies!

Balmain Bug is a common name for a class of Australian dinghies from the early 20th century. They were also called Scythians. In length, such boats were only 1.83 meters, however, there were also larger specimens about 5.5 meters long.

Skiffs look like children's toys from afar. However, fierce races were held on these boats. Moreover, the Scythians directly influenced yachting in Australia - today in Sydney Harbor you can find light carbon 5-meter skiffs, which are the direct “heirs” of the Scythians.

Class History

The heyday of the Scythians came in the 1920s. Then skiff races were held on an ongoing basis, attracting hundreds of spectators and onlookers. There is no need to talk about illegal bets ... 

It was possible to meet the Scythians on Sunday throughout the harbor. Balmain Bugs were fun for the common people - there was even a playful urban legend about this. 

It is said that the price for one skiff was calculated according to the formula "pound per foot" (1,27$ for 30 centimeters). Thus, according to legend, when good times came in Sydney, yachtsmen bought a 20-foot skiff (6 meters), and when they were replaced by bad ones, yachtsmen appeased their appetite, sold a 20-foot skiff and bought a 10-foot (3 meters) skiff.

Over time, the Balmain Bug was replaced by classic Australian skiffs, which can still be found in Sydney Harbor. These skiffs adopted some of the design features of the Scythians, but still more in line with the trends of the new era.

Features Balmain Bug

The main feature of this type of dinghies are the sails. Depending on the dimensions of the boat, the designers almost always set the maximum possible number of sails. 

These small boats have limitations - when the wind is stronger than 15 knots, the control of the boat becomes difficult. Alas, even a slight wave on the water is already becoming potentially dangerous for skippers, as the dinghy begins to go under water without much difficulty.

It is not known how many original Balmain Bugs remain. Today there are only two replicas of these skiffs. One of them was built by enthusiast Jan Smith. She is located at the Balmain Sailing Club and occasionally sails into Sydney Harbour. The boat is a fairly frequent guest at historical exhibitions and events. 

Balmain Bug Average Specifications

30.06.2023