The 15 foot sneakbox was introduced in New Jersey Waters in 1920, when the Polyhue Yacht Club of Beachwood purchased a fleet of seven boats from J. H. Perrine of Barnegat, the originator of the class. The popularity of the class was contagious and the following year saw many additional boats at the various clubs on the bay. By 1922 the class was recognized by the BBYRA, for fleets of 30 to 40 boats in a race. There were few restrictions on the fleet, resulting in much experimentation by the youth full skippers to determine the best configuration for the boats.
When the racing regulations for the 15 foot class appeared for 1923 is was evident that the BBYRA had taken a radical step. The fleet was divided into A and B fleets determined by two factors, Age of the skipper and crew, and the weight of sail. Class B included sails of 6 ounce and over material of cotton drill, and skippers and crews not reached the age age 17 on the first race day. Class A had no age restriction and sails were restricted to not lighter than 4½ ounce material. All sails were were limited to a maximum of 165 square feet. This provision of a distinct junior class was vary successful, with youngsters from age 10 upwards competing in the BBYRA races.
From: Sailing Craft Edited by Edwin J. Schoettle 1928
Article by: Charles E Locke, Jr.