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Performance

A Scow Performance

How the A Scow performs on the water — racing handicap, sail-carrying power, stability and comfort.

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The A Scow is aggressively canvassed for its weight, with a quick, snappy motion best suited to day sailing.

Hull Speed

The theoretical displacement-mode speed limit — determined by waterline length, not engine or sail power.

7.6 kts
A displacement hull pushes a bow wave whose speed is limited by the waterline length.

Performance Ratios

Racing handicap, sail-carrying power, stability and comfort — and what each one actually tells you about a day on the water.

SA / Displacement
58.5
Performance-oriented — carries a lot of canvas for its weight.
Displacement / Length
25
Ultralight — responsive and fast, but carries less stores.
Comfort Ratio
5.2
Quick, snappy motion — better for day sails and racing than long passages.
Capsize Screening
2.61
Above the 2.0 offshore threshold — best suited for coastal and protected waters.
Hull Speed
7.6kts
Pounds/Inch Immersion
6lbs
Weight needed to sink the hull one inch — loading sensitivity.

Motion & Offshore Suitability

Two ratios that matter most when you're planning passages — how the boat feels in a seaway, and whether the hull geometry is suitable for open ocean.

Comfort Ratio
5.2
Quick, snappy motion — better for day sails and racing than long passages.
Under 20 — Snappy, racing motion
20–30 — Acceptable coastal
30–40 — Good offshore comfort
Over 40 — Very comfortable offshore
Capsize Screening Formula
2.61
Above the 2.0 offshore threshold — best suited for coastal and protected waters.
Under 2.0 — Acceptable for offshore
Over 2.0 — Coastal / protected waters

PHRF Fleet Position

Where the A Scow sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.

Racer 0–90
Cruiser/Racer 90–150
Cruiser 150–210
Tripp 38 65s/nm
Luders 24 138s/nm

Estimated Speed by Wind

Rough boat speed estimates at different true wind speeds and points of sail — derived from hull speed, SA/D, and displacement, not measured polars.

Point of Sail 6 kts TWS 10 kts TWS 15 kts TWS 20 kts TWS
Close-hauled40–50° 3.6 4.5 5.1 5.3
Close Reach60° 4.3 5.5 6.1 6.4
Beam Reach90° 5.3 6.7 7.5 8.2
Broad Reach120–135° 4.9 6.2 6.9 7.5
Run150–180° 3.9 5.0 5.6 5.8
These are simplified estimates based on hull speed (7.6 kts), SA/D (58.5), and empirical efficiency curves — not instrument-measured polars. Real-world speed varies with sea state, bottom condition, sail trim, and current. Speeds in gold approach hull speed; bold gold means near or at hull speed.

Wind Range & Comfort Envelope

Estimated wind ranges for comfortable sailing on the A Scow — based on sail area, ballast, and displacement characteristics.

Ghost
Sweet Spot
Reef
Heavy
0–5 kts 5–16 kts 16–24 kts 24+ kts
Ghosting
0–5 kts
Light air, motor-sailing likely. Need patience and a light genoa.
Sweet Spot
5–16 kts
Comfortable under full sail. Best speed-to-comfort ratio.
Time to Reef
16–24 kts
Time to shorten sail. Reef the main, swap to a working jib.
Heavy Weather
24+ kts
Storm conditions. Storm jib or bare poles. Seek shelter if coastal.

How It Compares

Side-by-side with the boats most often cross-shopped against the A Scow.

A Scow Gambler 38 Imx 38 Kettenburg 38 Luders 24 Tripp 38
Dimensions
LOA 38.0 38.0 — 38.0 38.0 38.0
LWL — 28.0 31.2 25.8 24.0 32.3
Beam 8.0 11.9 12.1 8.0 6.3 12.3
Displacement 1 11 11 12 6 10
Ballast — 5 6 — 2 5
Sail Area 550 760 910 561 416 672
Performance
PHRF — — — — 138 65
SA/Disp 58.5 23.6 28.2 17.2 19.6 22.5
Bal/Disp — 47.5 52.3 — — 55.2
Comfort 5.2 21.6 — 39.4 30.0 16.8
Capsize 2.61 2.10 2.13 1.40 1.36 2.26
Hull Speed 7.6 7.1 7.5 6.8 6.6 7.6