Conference unifix::sailing

    Sailing scows comprise some of the fastest monohull
    sailboat classes, clocked up to maybe 23 knots. The
    scow classes are most popular on the inland lakes of
    the northern midwest (Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan).
    
    The inland lake class sailing scow (D-type 18',
    C-type 20', E-type 28', A-type 38' ?) is a wide,
    flatbottomed monohull racing boat optimized to
    heel at about 20 degress. At this angle, the
    area of hull contacting the water is minimized. 

    Most scow designs have twin rudders on inboard shafts, small
    and mounted at a 20 degree angle. They have twin retractable
    steel centerboards, called bilgeboards, also at 20 degrees
    from vertical. Larger scows (C-class and longer) have running
    backstays. The backstays and bilgeboards are generally adjusted
    at each tack. When heeling, the crew can "hike out" (ie stand)
    upon the partially withdrawn windward bilgeboard, while grasping
    a handrail.
    
    The scow hull is fully planing: wide, with flat bottom,
    fully rounded bilges. The bow is rounded but blunt. For
    its length and beam, a lake scow is quite thin from deck
    to bottom, neglecting the mast and deep bilgeboards.
    Due to hull shape, scows are unsuitable for waves higher
    than a foot or so. Scows provide ample seating on the
    slightly rounded deck, around the edge of the large
    cockpit. Forward of the cockpit, the interior of the
    scow hull is reinforced by various struts and tensioning
    wires, so it resembles the inside of an airplane wing.
    The racing scow has no cabin or accessible interior
    spaces, except for gear stowage.

    About a week ago Gary Couture posted a note asking for info on a boat
    which sounded like a scow. I think it was a K. anyone know if a K was
    a scow, and any details?
    
    Why were teh scows given such original class names, C, E, A???

    Yes, I think there are K and M scows also. I suspect
    they are shorter than 20', have a conventional (single
    outboard) rudder, and likely a single daggerboard or
    centerboard. By the way, most scows nowadays are marconi,
    but I've seen some old gaff-rigged C- or D-scow sloops.
    
    And (hint) please notice that I've entered a "partner
    wanted for E-scow" ad in 4.389 .
    
    I suspect that many of the folks who would have sailed
    inland class lake scows in 1930-1960's era are nowadays
    the inland catamaran sailors/racers. The inveterate
    freshwater speed-freaks of olden days had to be nimble
    on foot (on bilgeboard) to keep their scows at desired
    angle of heel.
    

I've had great fun crewing on a C-Scow in Minneapolis (where the lakes are 
right in the city).  You get a great workout for your abs!  On a close-haul 
you must hike out - otherwise be prepared to hang off the bilgeboard as you 
try to right the boat.  They are fast.  Although the boat I crewed didn't 
even come close to winning most of the time, it was still a blast zipping 
around the markers.  Too bad these aren't very practical boats for Boston 
Harbor!

    ...I can speak for the M scow, having sailed one for _years_.....
    
    These are literally 16 foot versions of the larger E scow......2
    daggerboards, 2 rudders with conventional sail plan (main/jib, no
    spinnaker).
    
    We see alot of them in the Barnegat Bay area of N.J.
    
    -Jeff
    

    I've just purchased a used M-scow, and have deleted the
    earlier request for an E-scow partner (4.389).
    
    Now I'm seeking mast, sails (M,J,S) and stays for my 1980
    "One Design Marine Inc., Tom's River NJ" (but Tanzer built)
    M-scow. I have a boom and spinnaker-pole. I'm in touch with
    sailboat dealers in the Barnegat Bay area, but if someone
    stumbles across an M-scow mast, sails or stays, on the market in
    northeast USA, please MAIL me. Also anyone knowing measurements
    or dimensions of these for an M-scow, again please contact me.
    

    For those intersted in seeing a large racing scow,
    there's a Class A (38') inland class lake scow on
    static display at the Museum of Yachting at Fort Adams
    Park in Newport Rhode Island.
    

    
    	A person to try is Eric Wilson at Doyle sails Marblehead Ma.  I
    know that at one time he was really into Scows.  He is a really nice
    guy and may be able to help out.
    
    Forrest

    Thanks for the good advice in 1922.8 :
    
    I contacted Eric Wilson, now running a Doyle Sail shop
    in Hartland Wisc., near Milwaukee. He was very helpful.
    Eric specializes in sails for scows, One Designs, and
    for DN etc iceboats.
    
    fyi -
    Eric's phone # is 414-369-0120
    The 1992 E-scow Nationals site was Minnetonka Minn.
    The 1993 E-scow Nationals will be in Sept at Hammondsport, New York.
    
    As an aside, did anyone ever meet "Mr. Knot", the humorous
    knot-expert from Bobby Doyle's PBS-TV Sailing show?
    

    
    	Had not spoken with him for about 6 months and had not heard he had
    moved back to Mid-west so to speak.  Eric is Mr Finn and builds Finn
    sails for many top Finn sailers.  I met him a couple years back at a
    small Finn regatta in Marblehead.  I ended up helping him run the race
    he had never done the comedy boat job before.  He ran the race threw a
    party after the first day, and then staid up most of the night
    recutting sails for some of the racers.
    
    
    Forrest