What Exactly is a "Power Scow?"

[Bobcat]

I was looking at some online ads and found a couple of power scows listed. The ads suggested that they would be decent liveaboards (with some work) Then it occurred to me: I don't know what makes a vessel a power scow. What defines a power scow?

[robtcw]

square box with a motor somewhere....

[Bobcat]

square box with a motor somewhere....


Well, not from the photos I have seen.

[JimD]

Well, not from the photos I have seen.

We like pics.

[Bobcat]

We like pics.

Unfortunately posting them seems to be beyond my skills....

[rbgarr]

Can you post a link to the online ads?

[Hwyl]

http://newimages.yachtworld.com/1/5/1/9/3/1519313_1.jpg?1161068400000

[Bobcat]

http://newimages.yachtworld.com/1/5/1/9/3/1519313_1.jpg?1161068400000

Thanks. Yeah, that's what I am talking about.:)

[rbgarr]

Even the least expensive of these (the word cheap doesn't apply) could be a fun way to live in Seattle on a 'scow': http://www.seattlebydesign.com/seattle_houseboats/seattle_houseboats_mls.htm

[Tom Galyen]

I noticed the ads in rbgarr's entry and was fascinated by them. I have a question though, what the Sam Hill is a 1/4 bath? I know what a 1/2 bath is, but what is a 1/4 bath. Also, if there is such a thing as a 1/4 bath is there such a thing as a 1/8 bath, or how about a 1/16 bath. The thoughts boggle the mind.

Also for $1,950,000 you think they could at least have 3 full baths instead of 2 and 1/4.

Lastly I don't think that they would qualify as a "power scower" as I think they are more permanently moored than the famous USS Yellowstone was at Norfolk, VA in the late 60's when I served there.

Tom G. (Seaweed)

[Nordicthug]

"Power Scow" is a Pac. NW term for what the Army called a "Powered Barge" in WWII. Dozens were built in various yards in the Puget Sound area in WWII. They are build of fore and aft bulkheads running the full length of the vessel, then crossplanked on the bottom. The outermost bulkheads comprise the sides of the vessel and are made of Doug fir lifts 7 1/2" thick and 9" deep as are the four inner bulkheads. Power was whatever engines were available from big 6 cyl Cats and Buda's to 6-71's and even Hall Scott gasoline engines. Most were 85' to 104' long. All were designed to carry cargo only on deck. They were designed to make one trip, but very few were lost. At the end of the war all were sold off as surplus for pennies on the dollar, usually around $10,000 to $15,000. The Pavlof, shown in the ad is 85' long. That steel bow was added later.

I worked on many power scows, doing everything from keel and planking replacements to rebuilding the burned out house of one. The bottom planking is mostly vg fir 3 1/2" X 7 1/2" fastened with 3/8" X 8" galvanized ship spikes.

Accomodations were in the top of the deckhouse; Capt's stateroom, and two four man crew staterooms. A roomy galley also held a table that seated 10-12 easily. Cooking was done on a diesel burning range.

The head was also on the upper level of the deckhouse and was simplicity itself. The "toilet was an enameled cast iron funnel equipped with a toilet seat and plumbed straight through the bottom. Flushing was accomplished by dumping a bucket of seawater down the biffy after the deed was done. There was a shower in the head with a grating on the deck and a scupper, also plumbed straight down through the bottom. Remember, it was wartime and these vessels were not expected to make more than one trip.

They are slow and cumbersome, but proved to be able and seaworthy.

Gerry

[Dan McCosh]

Looks similar to a guy near me this winter, who bought a 65' steel powered barge once used as a tanker and trawler. It is a very comfortable liveaboard.

[Bobcat]

"Power Scow" is a Pac. NW term for what the Army called a "Powered Barge" in WWII.

snip

They are slow and cumbersome, but proved to be able and seaworthy.

Gerry


Thanks Gerry. Now I know.

Interesting that vessels built 60+ years ago for one time use are still up and running.

[Mrleft8]

what the Sam Hill is a 1/4 bath? Also, if there is such a thing as a 1/4 bath is there such a thing as a 1/8 bath, or how about a 1/16 bath. The thoughts boggle the mind.

Tom G. (Seaweed) 1/4 bath would be a toilet but no sink? A 1/8 bath would be a urinal.... A 1/16 bath would just be a hole in the floor... ;)

[paladin]

and I thought that "powered box" was very accurate.....