View source for Byte (dinghy)

{{Short description|Sailing dinghy for one person}}
{{Infobox Sailboat Specifications
| name = Byte
| image = Byte CII.svg
| imagesize = 
| alt = 
| caption = 
| class_symbol = 
| class_image = Bytesailboatlogo.jpg
| class_imagealt = 
| class_imagesize = 120
| crew = 1
| type = [[Monohull]]
| design = 
| construction = [[Glass-reinforced plastic|GRP]]
| rig = 
| keel = 
| trapeze = 
| loa = {{convert|12|ft|m|abbr=on}}<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.byteclass.org/index.cfm?eid=2048&ntid=1252 |title=Rules of Byte |publisher=www.byteclass.org |access-date=July 31, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120705142153/http://www.byteclass.org/index.cfm?eid=2048&ntid=1252 |archive-date=July 5, 2012 }}</ref>
| loh = 
| lwl = 
| beam = {{convert|4|ft|3|in|m|abbr=on}}
| draft = 
| hull = {{convert|100|lb|kg|abbr=on}}
| mastheight = 
| mainsailandjib = 
| sailarea = 
| mainsail = {{convert|73|sqft|m2|abbr=on}}
| jib = 
| spinnaker = 
| d-pn = 97.4 (91.4 C-II)
| rya-pn = 
| phrf = 
| year = 
| image boat = Byte_CI.jpg
| designer = 
| location = 
| role = 
| updated = 
| olympic = 
}}

The '''Byte''' is a small one-design sailing [[dinghy]] sailed by one person. It was designed by Canadian Ian Bruce, who also commissioned and marketed the [[Laser (dinghy)|Laser]].

==History==
The Byte began as an inexpensive version of the [[Europe (dinghy)|Europe]] dinghy that could target sailors weighing between {{convert|45|and|65|kg|lb|abbr=on}}.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.byteclass.org/index.cfm?eid=2048&ntid=1251 |title=History of Byte |publisher=www.byteclass.org |access-date=July 31, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120705142145/http://www.byteclass.org/index.cfm?eid=2048&ntid=1251 |archive-date=July 5, 2012 }}</ref>

==Design==
The Byte is {{convert|12|ft|m|abbr=on}} long, {{convert|4|ft|3|in|m|abbr=on}} wide and roughly {{convert|100|lb|kg}}. The hull is composed of glass reinforced [[polyester]] and foam sandwich. The Byte is designed for sailors weighing {{convert|120|to|145|lb|kg|abbr=on}} although most sailors weighing {{convert|90|to|160|lb|kg|abbr=on}} should have no problems sailing this boat on a recreational basis. The Byte sail size is only {{convert|58|ft2|m2|abbr=off}} making it the ideal boat for those sailors who enjoy the independence and simplicity of a cat rigged boat, such as the [[Laser (dinghy)|Laser]], but who are not strong or heavy enough to control a large sail.

The rigging is similar to that of the Laser except one noticeable difference. The [[mechanical traveler|traveler]] is just below the [[main sheet]] block and not at the [[stern]] of the boat (similar to a [[Finn (dinghy)|Finn]] or Europe dinghy). This eradicates the chance of the main sheet getting caught on the [[Transom (nautical)|transom]] which is a common complaint of the Laser. The sail controls are also "split" and led to both side-decks, again somewhat like a [[Finn (dinghy)|Finn]] or [[Europe (dinghy)|Europe]] and allows for more technical adjustments.

The [[Portsmouth Yardstick]] handicap of a Byte is 1147.<ref name="RYA2012">{{cite web|url=http://www.rya.org.uk/SiteCollectionDocuments/technical/Web%20Documents/PY%20Documentation/PN%20List%202017%20(Web%20Version).pdf|title=Portsmouth Number List 2017|date=2017|publisher=Royal Yachting Association|access-date=19 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170630075649/http://www.rya.org.uk/SiteCollectionDocuments/technical/Web%20Documents/PY%20Documentation/PN%20List%202017%20(Web%20Version).pdf|archive-date=30 June 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref> The alternative D-PN handicap rating is 97.4.<ref name="UScb">{{cite web|url=http://offshore.ussailing.org/Portsmouth_Yardstick/Current_Tables/Centerboard_Classes.htm |title=Centerboard Classes |publisher=US Sailing |access-date=31 July 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120816160142/http://offshore.ussailing.org/Portsmouth_Yardstick/Current_Tables/Centerboard_Classes.htm |archive-date=16 August 2012 }}</ref>

===Byte CII===
The Byte was updated in 2004 with the development of a fully battened sail and two piece carbon-fibre mast. This CII rig has a slightly larger sail made of mylar and similar in appearance to the 29er sails. The new rig is designed to be self-depowering and was a welcome update to the previous byte rig. The inspiration for the new rig and sail was to create an out-of-the-box, cost effective, women's and youth boat. These developments give a speed improvement reflected in the Byte CII's Portsmouth Yardstick of 1147 <ref name="RYA2012" /> and D-PN of 91.4.<ref name="UScb" />

==Fleets==
Although the Byte class operates on numerous continents, its largest fleets in Canada, Singapore, Bermuda, Great Britain and Switzerland.

==Events==
===Class World Championships===
{| {{MedalistTable|type=Event}}
|-
| 1999<br>Open
| {{flagathlete|[[Eric Holden ]]|CAN}}
| {{flagathlete|[[Alexander Kirkland (sailor)|Alexander Kirkland]]|BER}}
| {{flagathlete|[[Leete Parker Garrett]]|USA}}
|-
| 2001<br>Open
| {{flagathlete|[[Silja Lehtinen]]|FIN}}
| {{flagathlete||CAN}}
| {{flagathlete||CAN}}
|-
|}

===Youth Sailing World Championships===
The Byte CII is one of two boats designated in the ISAF Regulations for use as the Girl's One Person Dinghy for the ISAF [[Youth Sailing World Championships]]. The other is the Laser Radial. The Byte CII has been used at two Youth World Championships, in Australia and Canada,

===Youth Olympic Games===
The Byte dinghy was used for both male and female competitors in the [[Sailing at the Youth Olympic Games|Youth Olympic Games]] during the first two events held in Singapore and Nanjing.

==Builders==
The Byte CII is produced by Zou Inter Marine, Qingdao, PRC. Zim Sailing, Rhode Island, USA. Hartley Boats, UK. Nautivela SRL, Milan Italy, Xtreme Sailing Products Singapore, Armada Boats, São Paulo, Brazil and by Performance Sailcraft Pty Ltd, Sydney, Australia

The long time Asia-Pacific Laser manufacturer Performance Sailcraft Australasia (PSA), after receiving permission from ISAF, acquired the Copyright and worldwide building and marketing rights to the single handed Byte and Byte CII dinghy in 2012.

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20180413163820/http://www.byteclass.org/ Byte Class Association]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20110707102418/http://www.sailing.org/classes/BYT.php World Sailing Byte Microsite]
*[http://www.hartleyboats.com/index.php?id=184 Hartly Boats - Constructors specifications]

{{Classes of World Sailing}}
{{Sailing dinghies and skiffs}}
{{Olympic class sailboats}}

[[Category:Classes of World Sailing]]
[[Category:Dinghies]]
[[Category:Youth Olympic sailing classes]]
[[Category:Two-person sailboats]]
[[Category:Sailboat type designs by Canadian designers]]