A-Scow

Encyclopedia : A : AS : ASC : A-Scow

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Specifications Under Current Rules
Number of crew: 6-8 LOA 11582 mm 38 ft Beam 2438 mm 8 ft Hull weight (with fittings) 839 kg 1850 lb Sail Area of total of Jib ?? m² 150 ft² Sail Area of total of Main ??m² 350 ft² Sail Area of total of Spinnaker ?? m² 1200 ft²

The A-Scow is the largest and fastest of the scow family of sailboats. It is 38 feet long and with reported top speeds of over 25 knots. The boat is mainly sailed in Minnesota and Wisconsin. The A-Scow has a long history with its rules of design, or scantlings, first being written in 1901. At 38 feet, and with a large sail area, the five to seven crew members must work in unison on the A-Scow to keep the boat sailing fast and upright. Accidents do happen, and it is the largest sailboat that regularly tips over.

Recent Politics

The A-scow’s politics are as hot as its sailing. With the scantlings being much like they were over 100 years earlier, the boat could be built with any shape and rigging as long as it fit within the rules. For many years, Melges Boat Works was the only builder of the A-scow, and so the existing boats all were from the same design. However, the rules left the door open for another builder, and in 2002, [VictorybyDesign], a new boat, came on to the scene. Having an optimized boat shape and new rigging, the boat was significantly faster than the older design. There quickly developed a rift between Brad Robinson, the owner of VictoryByDesign, and the majority of the class. After three years of battle on the water, internet and court, the sailors decided to split the fleet. A One-design fleet would exist for the older boats, and a developmental design would exist for the new boat.

A-Scow, the Movie

In August of 2006, a feature length documentary film about the boat entitled [The Ultimate Ride107 years of the A scow] will be released. The film will be narrated by Gary Jobson and will feature A-scows sailing at their best. The Premiere will take place August 11th at the 2006 ILYA Championship Regatta hosted by the Lake Geneva Yacht Club. Jobson will be presenting The Ultimate Ride as well as sailing in the One-design fleet during the regatta.

Fleet Growth

Six new Melges boats will be built in 2006 in Wisconsin. In addition to the new One-design hulls, there will also be at least one new Victory design being built in Minnesota.

External Links

• [One-Design Official Page]
• [VictoryByDesign Page]
• [The Ultimate Ride - Augest 2006]
• [SailingAnarchy.com A-Scow Forum Part 1]
• [SailingAnarchy.com A-Scow Forum Part 2]