mrming
Well-Known Member
I reckon a scow based trailer sailer would be interesting for the following reasons:
A trailer sailer needs to be light. The scow bow gives lots of form stability so wouldn't need as much ballast, particularly if it was a lead bulb on the bottom of a lifting keel. If the interior was suitably lightweight as on the Pogo 30, the resulting boat could be easy to trail behind the family car and could have great performance.
As mentioned above there would be more usable space in the interior - the front bunk would be brilliant. My own boat's beam is limited by the max towing allowance but there's still good space inside - a scow would be even better with the beam carried way forward.
Some have questioned the scow's ability to perform upwind in waves, but I think the fact that 747 lead the first abandoned leg of this year's Mini Transat answered that question. The boats were sailing upwind in big seas and the scow was at the front.
There's no question that the bow looks very unconventional and I believe that's the main reason for the continued "It'll never work in x situation" comments from many in the sailing community. As far as I can see, 747 has answered every question that has been asked so far. When beamy triangular boats with twin rudders first appeared, people said they would never go upwind, but they do. Obviously all boats are a compromise and a sled type hull is going to slam more in big waves, but how often is a trailer sailer out in those conditions? Once the wind is forecast above 30 knots I leave mine on the mooring and have a pint instead.
A trailer sailer needs to be light. The scow bow gives lots of form stability so wouldn't need as much ballast, particularly if it was a lead bulb on the bottom of a lifting keel. If the interior was suitably lightweight as on the Pogo 30, the resulting boat could be easy to trail behind the family car and could have great performance.
As mentioned above there would be more usable space in the interior - the front bunk would be brilliant. My own boat's beam is limited by the max towing allowance but there's still good space inside - a scow would be even better with the beam carried way forward.
Some have questioned the scow's ability to perform upwind in waves, but I think the fact that 747 lead the first abandoned leg of this year's Mini Transat answered that question. The boats were sailing upwind in big seas and the scow was at the front.
There's no question that the bow looks very unconventional and I believe that's the main reason for the continued "It'll never work in x situation" comments from many in the sailing community. As far as I can see, 747 has answered every question that has been asked so far. When beamy triangular boats with twin rudders first appeared, people said they would never go upwind, but they do. Obviously all boats are a compromise and a sled type hull is going to slam more in big waves, but how often is a trailer sailer out in those conditions? Once the wind is forecast above 30 knots I leave mine on the mooring and have a pint instead.
