Lake Macbride Sailing Club

The MC Scow

John Spargo heading for the finish line.

 Specifications:

MC Scow  

Length: 16 ft.

Beam: 5'  8"

Hull: Fiberglass

Spars: Aluminum

Sail Area: 135 sq. ft.

Hull Weight:  420 pounds

Why the MC?

  • Easy to sail

  • Excellent performance

  • Versatile

  • 1 or 2 sailors

  • Strict One-Design fleet

  • Widely available

  • Affordable

  • Large, growing fleet

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mike Karnell sailing upwind after a good start.

 The scow is a very flat-bottomed family of boats that, when sailed on a reach or a run, can skip along the top of the water on a plane at very high speeds.  When the scow heels on its side, the water line is extended and the wetted surface area is greatly reduced. In order to increase the water line and maintain a good planing surface, the bow of the boat is rounded.  Instead of a centerboard, the scow has two bilge boards that extend outward at a slight angle. When the scow heels, the leeward board is pointing straight down in the water, which adds to the boat's upwind stability and pointing ability. The windward board is then retracted into the hull. The skipper's weight is now farther away from the center of gravity, adding to the boat's balance.  The shape of the hull, combined with a large sail plan, makes for a very fast and stable ride. If you check the handicap ratings, you will find that the MC, despite being only 16' long, can keep pace with many of the larger racing boats. Many people have tried to compare sailing a scow with a catamaran because, if you imagine having two hulls that are close together, you have almost built a scow.

The MC Scow was designed by Buddy Melges and first manufactured in 1965 to be a simple, stable, versatile, fast, cat-rigged (one sail) boat based on the more complex, sloop-rigged (2 sails) M-16 Scow design.  Because of its shallow draft, it can be sailed in relatively shallow waters and under a wide variety of wind conditions.  Even though the MC is usually sailed single-handed when racing, for lighter sailors or in high wind conditions, the large cockpit easily accommodates a second crew member.  It can be trailered with nearly any vehicle and can be rigged in approximately 30 minutes.  The MC is a one-design class that is supported and governed by strict scantlings under the auspices of the MC Sailing Association (MCSA) which represents 80 fleets in 24 states.  It is sailed by a full spectrum of sailors, ranging from beginners to seasoned veterans, 533 of whom competed in 53 sanctioned regattas in 18 states in 2006.  The 2006 National Championships, held October 25-28 at Lake Norman Yacht Club in Mooresville, NC, had 85 boats compete.

MC Scows are currently manufactured by Melges Performance Sailboats in Zenda, WI, with a new boat costing $11,575.  However, because of the one-design philosophy that governs the MC, even used boats are very competitive and are also widely available at very affordable prices via the MCSA website. 

Do you have questions about sailing the MC Scow?  Ask us!