Manly/Belmont - NextGen 16ft Skiff
Welcome to the new production 16ft Skiff, commissioned by Manly and Belmont 16ft Skiff Clubs.
One of the main objectives of the project has been to offer a production 16ft Skiff that ensures consistent quality and performance. The committee overseeing the design phase of the project embarked on an elaborate tender process to select the best building partner and awarded Ellis Engineered the manufacturing contract. The Clubs also invested in precision carbon tooling to ensure longevity and consistency of skiffs produced.
The final deck design (while maintaining the original one design Craig Hughes/ASSA hull shape) has been carefully considered by the project committee, (consisting of members of both clubs) and is a result of sailor feedback from three information sessions held at the major clubs over the winter 2024 period.
Damic Design was chosen to design the new deck, tooling, and oversee production and manage customer service.
The skiff has been optimised for ease of manufacturing and to allow for a variety of different configurations to suit sailor preferences. This includes:
Easy integration of a spinnaker chute as an upgrade option
Hidden control line take ups for a clean and modern deck layout
Strong emphasis on improving hull stiffness with elaborate frame layout and improved ergonomics
Moulded kick-off bars that extend further aft
View our list of Frequently Asked Questions if you’d like to learn more.
KEY INFORMATION
Financially backed by joint partnership between Manly and Belmont 16ft Skiff Clubs, endorsed by ASSA
Australian made by Ellis Engineered at Boolaroo (Lake Macquarie, NSW)
Design work by Luka of Damic Design
Key decisions by Manly/Belmont Partnership Committee
Prototype ETA is for June 2025. Assuming no significant alterations are required post testing, production is scheduled to start by mid-2025 with a limited number of boats available for the 2025/2026 sailing season
Optional spinnaker chute
Kick-out bar and cleat position
NOTE: The production boat may vary slightly from the above renderings. These are for illustrative purposes only.
Batch 3+ Pricing TBC
Base package includes a painted white hull (no foils) in cradle with includes basic hardware like mast step, rudder gudgeons, jib track, though deck fittings and soft pad eyes, supplied attached.
Payment SCHEDULE
$5,000+GST - To secure build slot
50% - At production commencement
Balance - Prior to delivery
BUILD SLOTS
PROTOTYPE - in progress
—————Batch 1—————-
BUILD 1 - confirmed
BUILD 2 - confirmed
—————Batch 2—————-
BUILD 3 - confirmed
BUILD 4 - confirmed
—————Batch 3—————-
BUILD 5 - available
DESIGN FEATURES, MATERIALS & FINISH
3 component boat with hollow side-tanks and floor under foredeck
Precision machined tooling verified by scan to +/-1mm accuracy view 3D scans
Supplied as standard spinnaker bag configuration or optional upgrade to spinnaker chute (additional $1,885 + GST)
Estimated bare hull weight of less than 62kg (white boats only)
FEA engineered frame layout for increased stiffness and longevity
Integrated kick-out bars to match side-tank profile, extending further aft
Access for under-deck rigging
Hull shape, geometry and layout based on the ASSA skiff
Pre/Preg Carbon over 10mm Nomex/PVC Foam Construction
2K polyurethane painted finish in standard white or a choice of 5 upgrade colour options (additional $2,750 + GST)
Supplied as a bare painted hull in cradle as a default option
Additional items include: Foils, Ronstan hardware package, ropes package and installed foam grip
Project Gallery & Updates
Week of June 23: Secondary bonding of frames complete, gluing flanges complete, deck de-moulded
Week of June 16: Chainplate solids installed, floor fitted, deck skin layup
Week of June 9: Frames bonded, deck layup preparation
Week of June 2: Hull and floor fully cured, frames loose-fitted and prepped for bonding, peer review completed
Week of May 26: Boat orders confirmed, hull nomex and floor foam lay up, deck layup preparation, frame lamination and templating
Week of May 19: Deposit invoices issued, hull skin and core layup, floor skin layup, frame panel layup
Week of May 12: Prototype production commenced & boat draw completed for eligible EOIs
Week of May 5: Prototype build preparation & boat draw announcement
Week of April 28: Post-cure of moulds and prototype build preparation
Week of April 21: Hull and floor moulds are finished, deck mould framing in progress.
Week of April 7: Deck mould infused, hull mould frames trim/fit and secondary bonding. Gunwale flange lamination completed.
Week of March 3: Mould manufacturing is underway with the hull mould being prepped for infusion
Skiff floor plug machining - Nov '24
Skiff deck plug after rough finish - Nov '24
Skiff deck plug complete - Dec '24
Skiff hull plug complete - Dec '24
Skiff hull plug delivered - Dec '24
Hull plug prep before layup - Mar '25
Cockpit floor mould - Mar '25
Hull mould infusion - Mar '25
Hull mould nearing completion - Apr '25
Nomex/Carbon panel samples for prototype - Apr '25
Finished hull mould - April '25
Hull layup - May '25
Floor skin & solids - May '25
Hull outer skin - May '25
Hull shell complete - June '25
Floor de-moulded - June '25
Hull with frame layout - June '25
Interested in getting a new skiff?
Please fill out the Skiff Order Form and we’ll be in touch with you on next steps and a deposit.