SCAMP envy/lust

[ramonred]

Hello,

I was wondering if there are others out there experiencing SCAMP 'envy' - I'm nearing the end of a restoration on a fiberglass 22' sailboat (Columbia 22) and I find my eye wandering over to that saucy little SCAMP, suddenly losing interest in my girl as my cheating heart reads everything it can on scamp and scamp building...

anyone else ?

[johnw]

Re: SCAMP envy/lust

No fair, you've got to show us a picture of Scamp.

[Steamboat]

Re: SCAMP envy/lust

OK - envy I buy. But, When it comes to lust, sheer lines do not come to mind....

[johnw]

Re: SCAMP envy/lust

O, this old thing?

[ramonred]

Re: SCAMP envy/lust

Yes, that saucy little number. I was totally gone when I watched the Howard Rice capsize test:

and also

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=du9lvJNVqnk&feature=related

[smilicus]

Re: SCAMP envy/lust

I like the Scamp too, very stable and functional boat, would not like to race it though. But sure to fill the needs of many a keen small boat sailor.

[OnionEyes]

Re: SCAMP envy/lust

I think my short list just became shorter.

Is one really a list?

[perldog007]

Re: SCAMP envy/lust

For me the thing that makes the SCAMP interesting is her effort in the Everglades Challenge with Andyrew and Mike Monies. She got stuck in the mud of Florida bay after missing a channel marker. Quite the adventure for two hardcore builder/operators on the "American raid" (?) scene.

Mike for completing his first TX200 in a Bolger Cartopper that lost it's mast. He made it the rest of the way with a hastily constructed windcatching device whipped up by the Puddle Duck Racer "team". Said Team included Captain Andyrew in the Salem Electron - sexiest PDR every built IMO.

Then we had the experiment with Michalak's Laguna Dos - pre-cut - assembled on the beach - and torched in semi-coot style after the event.

The fact that these two decided to take the SCAMP on that trip impresses me. They know their feces when it comes to taking wee boats on long trips.

I'm assuming that the O.P. has read all that Andrew and Mike have written about the craft, if not such will likely whet your appetite even more.

If I wasn't looking for workboat, I'd be all over those plans. Maybe after I gots my fishing/crabbing/clamming outfit together.

[Steve Paskey]

Re: SCAMP envy/lust

Yes, that saucy little number. I was totally gone when I watched the Howard Rice capsize test:

Thanks for posting the link ... I had not seen the video before. That's quite impressive ... Howard had to work harder to get the boat on its side than he did to get it back up again.

[JimD]

Re: SCAMP envy/lust

If I could only have one boat and it could be no more than eleven feet long Scamp would probably be it. But every extra inch of waterline would improve it so if I had room for a 12, 13, 14 foot boat etc., there is no question I would go for a longer version.

[David G]

Re: SCAMP envy/lust

Jim,

If one wanted to go up to 13', John has a similar boat, called Tread Lightly:

http://www.jwboatdesigns.co.nz/plans/treadlightly/index.htm

[Steve Paskey]

Re: SCAMP envy/lust

If I could only have one boat and it could be no more than eleven feet long Scamp would probably be it. But every extra inch of waterline would improve it so if I had room for a 12, 13, 14 foot boat etc., there is no question I would go for a longer version.

Good point, but remember that Scamp is 11'11" ... It's one inch short of 12 feet, presumably because licensing rules in some states change at 12 feet.

I'd like to see John do a boat similar to Tread Lightly, but stretched to 15' or so. But then, I'm 6-4.

[Howard Rice]

Re: SCAMP envy/lust

Synopsis of Capsize Observations:
1. As on my previous windy winter time test cruise I again found Scamp to be predictable, fun, lively to sail and yet stable. It should be remembered that Scamp is only 11’ 11”. I believe she is fast for her length. OK, fast? Small monohulls are not fast, if a sailor wants to go fast probably best to get a motorcycle. Scamp however is a lively, quick little monohull, nimble for sure. She can literally turn around her own length. I like her near 12 foot LOA. As a small boat she is quite easily handled both in the water and out by one person. Her overall seaworthiness including, sailing performance, simplicity of systems, stability and ease of handling is a very unique combination of basic attributes that also make her easy to right from a capsize. In my thinking and personal preference any small boat I sail needs to perform immediately after capsize (sail/row away) in order to get me where I need to be and fast if necessary or just for more sailing fun. I feel this is a critical element many small boat designers or manufacturers miss. In my mind it is paramount to be able to avoid capsize yet if it happens to be able to right within seconds (we did many capsizes and the fastest righting was about 12 seconds, mast head hitting the water to mast head out of the water). Then to be able to get back aboard unassisted and sail away without the need to bail. Many small boats can do this such as Lasers, boats with designed in tank buoyancy or added air bags but few moderate displacement dinghies can do this that I am aware of.

2. One or two sailors can right scamp without a righting line. She floats high and once righted is able to be sailed out of a capsize situation. The Scamp Righting/Re-Entry stirrup set up will enable most sailors regardless of age and fitness to successfully right and re-enter her. I was able to easily re-enter Scamp without a stirrup, although the stirrup set up is a great guarantee that most any sailor regardless of physical condition can re-enter easily.

3. We filled her ballast tank because of the conditions and I see no reason to sail her empty in such conditions. The sailor may feel she will go faster being lighter, however in upper end medium air to heavy air she will sail more stiffly and therefore carry sail longer with ballast. I plan to do heavy air un-ballasted sailing sometime, hopefully soon. With one sailor aboard I believe Scamp can carry her full main without ballast up to about 15 knots of air, not bad.

4. I am convinced based on dockside testing that without water ballast she will still right easily and be able to be re-entered “almost as easily” by stirrup. She has sufficient beam, displacement and buoyancy to offer a platform onto which a sailor can re-enter without trouble even without ballast. We capsize tested her in Phase One without ballast. Scamp still felt stable and easy to manage.

5. Scamp is designed to resist capsizing as the Utube “Scamp Capsize” video attests. I actually sailed her heeled far over dancing along on her rail before dumping her full over to determine her handling characteristics. Most small boats can capsize so we tested her and video taped so we can better understand her and to help Scamp sailors begin learning how to prepare for and manage a capsize.

6. Her un-stayed lug rig is well behaved in a capsize situation and very quiet as she rights. The rig freely weathercocks into the wind making for easy righting. The mast offers good initial flotation but can be over powered and driven under through poor capsize technique or failed execution. Be sure not to jump on the mast, boom or sail as she goes over.

7. Scamp is very difficult to capsize either single or double handed to the point of having to be forced over. We did not capsize her loaded but my ever growing understanding of her tells me she will behave much the same as empty although much better in many regards. She may be even more difficult to capsize with an appropriate and appropriately stored gear load aboard.

8. Scamp can be easily be righted on either board. The actions needed to right her if on port (centerboard low to the water) are just slightly different than starboard (centerboard high up as depicted in the video). On port a righting line would be an advantage as there is not much to hold on to as the centerboard is pushed down by hand and then foot.

9. I did not capsize her with rig down and at oars or engine but am quite certain righting and re-entry would be successful. Nothing about her handling under way, on her side or turtled would lead me to question this capability.

10. We turtled her and two sailors with no righting line or deployed centerboard can right her, however this is "not recommended." One sailor can right her from turtle using the centerboard and/or the stirrup/righting line set up. I use and believe in this set up. Many small boat sailors could benefit from such a system and should consider rigging up a righting/stirrup system on their boats.

11. Scamp can also be righted using only her mainsheet as the righting line as proven during dockside testing. This is a standard operating practice used by many sailing dinghy sailors. This method needs to be thought through carefully. The main sheet should be tied off to a cleat and not pulled directly from the boom. Once capsized getting this set up takes time and effort while you are treading water. Again it is suggested that the dedicated Scamp specific righting, re-entry set up be installed and utilized.

12. If the centerboard is to be relied on in a turtle situation then a quick release retention line, shock cord hold down or other element will have to be installed. We are analyzing options for this now.

13. A high side (over the top to the centerboard) righting is an iffy proposition on Scamp unless one thinks through hand holds and foot plants enabling the sailor to very quickly get up and go over the top. The way to accidently turtle Scamp is to hold on to her in a failed high side attempt. Since Scamp is so hard to capsize a “High Side” may be a moot point if the sailor has to try to capsize her and scramble over her rail onto the centerboard. I demonstrated the high side righting maneuver during the dockside testing and will continue to explore it as an option for open water windy conditions. For now I do not recommend this method unless first mastered it in calm water testing .

14. It is important when capsizing Scamp that the sailor(s) immediately disengage from the boat and simply lower themselves into the water. As mentioned above do not drop onto the mast, boom or sail as it can drive any dinghy to turtle and Scamp is no exception. As stated the high side (dry) capsize recovery may not be wise due to the difficulty of capsizing her in the first place. The slippery dramatically curved sheer makes for a challenge when trying to get over the high side to the centerboard. Forced capsizing puts the sailor on the low side making an easy hull straddle difficult. Scamp has more than adequate buoyancy to float high on her side if the sailor does not hang onto or stand in the boat.

15. A small groove could be routed into the sides of the skegs aft enabling better finger holds for the sailor to grasp as they attempt to right or hang on to the boat.

16. Scamp was purposely righted on several different points of sail and due to her inherent stability, weight and weather-cocking rig she rights nicely regardless of attitude to the wind and waves. This is a remarkable benefit to the Scamp sailor as swimming the bow of any small boat to weather can be very taxing burning precious seconds or even minutes. Using the swim her bow weather tactic and the proceeding success of righting and re-entry is predicated on the fact that the bow remains to weather. When it is blowing this is not always an easy attitude to maintain while you are simultaneously trying to right and re-enter. I could see the need to swim her bow to weather if it is blowing really hard and the boat may be blown over to turtle because on her side she presents a large hull surface target to the wind.

17. When sailing double handed the Scoop Re-Entry method is preferred and very possible if both sailors have discussed the method beforehand. Several double handed scoop re-entries were tested successfully. Be sure to work out capsize specific visual and verbal signals to enable effective communication.

18. It is possible to re-enter without a stirrup but this calls for a particular “timing is everything” swim technique move. I demonstrated this in the dockside video and repeated it in open water testing. The Scamp Righting Line Stirrup set up is recommended for Scamp sailors.

19. When righted Scamp may have between an inch and two inches of water on her cockpit sole. The sumps and venturi bailers will empty the cockpit shortly after you begin making way.

20. I am confident to recommend Scamp to novice sailors as a first boat and to recommend her to experienced sailors who are looking for a solid micro mini cruiser or simply a safe, stable and very fun day sailor.

21. In closing I found Scamp a very good sailing boat, a difficult boat to capsize and a simple boat to right and re-enter. I knew she would be an easy boat to self-rescue but I was more than pleasantly surprised that she performed so well. She is by far one of the easiest sailing dinghies I have righted yet one of the most difficult to capsize. I am very pleased to see the Small Craft Advisor magazine folks going to the lengths they have to ensure Scamp is proven safe for a wide array of sailors. I find Scamp to be an excellent choice in the day sailor and micro cruiser genre. She is simple to build, simple to handle, fun to sail and very safe.

howard rice
www.smallcraftacademy.com

[Howard Rice]

Re: SCAMP envy/lust

Hello All.
A quick note of apology for hijacking this "Scamp envy/lust thread and turning it into a "Scamp Capsize" thread. I received two emails from friends saying the Scamp Capsize tube video had been posted here and since that would be me in the boat in the video I thought the report I penned for the Small Craft Advisor web site forum last April might be of some value or interest to folks reading about Scamp.
Thanks for reading it (if you managed to slog through the lengthy report;-), yawn.....brevity might have been the better part of valor now that I look at the full report.
Best to All,
howard

[David G]

Re: SCAMP envy/lust

Howard,

May be just me, but I enjoyed the Full Meal Deal. Thanks for the breakdown!