E-Scow
| E-Scow | |
|---|---|
| File:EScow sailplan 600 600.svg | |
|
File:E-logo.png Class Symbol | |
| Current Specifications | |
| Crew | 3-4 |
| Type | Monohull |
| LOA | 28 ft (8.5 m) |
| Beam | 6.9 ft (2.1 m) |
| Hull weight | 965 lb (438 kg) |
| Mainsail area | 228 sq ft (21.2 m2) |
| Jib / Genoa area | 95 sq ft (8.8 m2) |
| Spinnaker area | 550 sq ft (51 m2) |
The E-Scow is the younger sister of the A-Scow, both boats are manufactured by Melges Performance Sailboats. Its rigging is similar to the A-Scow, and their hull shapes are almost identical, just 10 feet shorter. The boat is competitively sailed in Minnesota and Wisconsin and recently in many more states around the country, including Michigan, New York, New Jersey, South Carolina and Colorado. Only recently has
the E-Scow class spread to Europe. There are boats at least in Switzerland, France and Finland. Until 2004, the E-Scow had a symmetrical spinnaker. The National Class E Scow Association (NCESA) tested an asymmetrical spinnaker option as a potential change to the design scantlings for two years with scattered individuals and a few fleets converting to the test rig. The asymmetrical spinnaker was voted down by the class in 2006, but revisited after the 2007 season with a modified proposal with a slightly modified rig and more restricted spinnaker shape. The vote passed. Starting in 2008 asymmetrical spinnakers are allowed.
The E-Scow class is strong boasting national regattas routinely exceeding 50 boats, occasionally topping 90. The boat is a high performance planing hull with a theoretically unlimited top speed. It has been seen over the years towing water skierscitation needed. It is not as fast as the larger A-Scow, but it is 1/3 the cost making it affordable for far more people.
