Why do some yachts have a sugar scoop?

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Harry P

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What are there pro's and cons of each style, sugar scoop verses normal flat stern? I seems to me that a 30ft boat with a sugar scoop has less usable internal lenght than a 30ft with a flat stern, therefore could a 30 footer with a sugar scoop could 'shorter' than a 28 footer without?

It's probably obvious but what is the reason for a sugar scoop stern?

Regards
Harry

PS I hope I don't kick myself when I get the answer :)
 
Old IOR racers used to use sugar scoops as they could effectively increase their waterline length, whilst sailing, without adding waterline length when sat still for measuring.

effectively making a 27ft lwl a 32ft boat whilst racing and heeled.

Nowadays? well they just look pretty don't they! :D
 
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Maybe comes from handicap racing, where LWL was an important measurement, and weight in the ends is a bad thing. So, a hull extension that added to the LOA while adding nothing to the LWL, and weighed little was a good thing. Gave a longer waterline for greater speed, but at no rating cost.

Then, the advantages for boarding, swimming, etc were discovered. The rest is history.
 
Originally it was to increase the sailing waterline when heeled - hence hull speed - without adding much weight, especially in the ends where you don't want it.

As with most boat design features, it was first fitted to rule beating race designs, but the advantages to cruising manufacturers quickly became clear. Especially in climates where swimming is a leisure activity, not a reason to call mayday.

Most of the boats so equipped are pretty wide though, so although you could argue that a 32 foot boat is really a 30 foot boat, it will probably have just as much usable interior as a 30 footer without.
 
Scoops are going out of "fashion" (they were in for all the reasons suggested earlier) with the trend toward increasing waterline length - or rather reducing overhangs both ends. The most obvious examples are the latest Bavarias and Hanses where there is virtually no overhang and most importantly the cabins can be lengthened substantially while keeping the cockpit the same size. The ability to access through the stern is maintained by having a drop down platform. Most of the volume builders are following the same route as it maximises the accommodation for a given hull length.

As usual just a different compromise with pros and cons.
 
sailorman said:
its much safer alongside than athwart the tide ;)
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? safer ? but certainly not easier.

Ever tried climbing up the topsides from a rubber dink with the gunnel about 3 ft above the water and then 2 ft 6in of safety lines?

Give me the sugar-scoop any day - I secure with two lines to hold the dink across the stern, ie side to the scoop. Easy- peasy
 
davidej said:
? safer ? but certainly not easier.

Ever tried climbing up the topsides from a rubber dink with the gunnel about 3 ft above the water and then 2 ft 6in of safety lines?

Give me the sugar-scoop any day - I secure with two lines to hold the dink across the stern, ie side to the scoop. Easy- peasy
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On a proper boat with two suger scoops you just pull the dink in between them then take your pick!
 
sailorman said:
its much safer alongside than athwart the tide ;)
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Our boarding ladder has a right angle bend. It's hinged from the centre of the 'scoop' so that when up, the part between the hinge and the bend lies flat on the scoop, while the rest of the ladder stands up behind the pushpit. Swing the ladder by 180deg, the part between the hinge and the bend again lies flat on the scoop, but now the ladder is in the water behind the 'scoop'.

The interesting bit is the halfway point. Now the ladder drops down into the dinghy, stabilises the dinghy and acts virtually as a passarelle between dinghy and yacht. Simple and convenient, but difficult without the scoop.
 
davidej said:
And you have probably got a gate in the safety lines as well.
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Nope. But they're fairly low being a wee 24 footer, so easy to step over once you're standing on the toe-rail.

davidej said:
As for us poorer types - I will continue to use the scoop, perfectly safely with the dink properly secured
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Poorer? :confused:

Agree that it would be a pretty strong tide or rough water before boarding via a sugar scoop wasn't a good idea if you have one. I have a small transom raised well out of the water which isn't at all practical to board over.

Pete
 
slap

The main reason for a sugar-scoop is to ensure that wavelets hitting the stern make an infuriating slap slap slap noise all night thereby ensuring that sleep is impossible in the aft cabin.
 
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