Today, with hiking racks, a giant flat head main, and its 'skiff' like hull, an up-to-date racing model bears little resemblance to the earlier boats.

Modern boats built to the current Bieker 6 rules typically have a fractional sloop rig with carbon fibre spars; a plumb stem and transom; a transom-hung, hydrofoil-equipped rudder controlled by a tiller with an extension and a retractable centreboard.

A second trapeze was permitted starting in 1984, due to the large amount of sail carried on boats of that period.

[1][2] For sailing downwind the design may be equipped with an asymmetrical spinnaker, flown from a long carbon fibre bowsprit.

There are 14 active fleets sailing in Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Japan, the UK and the US.