Byte (dinghy)
Class symbol
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| Crew | 1 |
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| Type | Monohull |
| Construction | GRP |
| Hull weight | 100 lb (45 kg) |
| LOA | 12 ft (3.7 m) |
| Beam | 4 ft 3 in (1.30 m) |
| Mainsail area | 73 sq ft (6.8 m2) |
| D-PN | 97.4 (91.4 C-II) |
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.
The Byte began as an inexpensive version of the Europe dinghy that could target sailors weighing between 45 kilograms and 65 kilograms (100 pounds to 145 pounds).
The Byte is 12 ft (3.7 m) long, 4 ft 3 in (1.3 m) wide and roughly 100 lb (45 kg). The hull is composed of glass reinforced polyester and foam sandwich. The Byte is designed for sailors weighing 120 to 145 lb (54 to 66 kg) although most sailors weighing 90 to 160 lb (41 to 73 kg) should have no problems sailing this boat on a recreational basis. The Byte sail size is only 58 square feet (5.6 m²) making it the ideal boat for those sailors who enjoy the independence and simplicity of a cat rigged boat, such as the 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 traveler is just below the main sheet block and not at the stern of the boat (similar to a Finn or Europe dinghy). This eradicates the chance of the main sheet getting caught on the 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 or Europe and allows for more technical adjustments.
The Portsmouth Yardstick handicap of a Byte is 1190. The alternative D-PN handicap rating is 97.4.
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 1150 (a 4.2% improvement) and D-PN of 91.4.
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