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Performance

C Scow Performance

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

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The C 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.

5.5 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
46.1
Performance-oriented — carries a lot of canvas for its weight.
Displacement / Length
59
Ultralight — responsive and fast, but carries less stores.
Comfort Ratio
4.2
Quick, snappy motion — better for day sails and racing than long passages.
Capsize Screening
3.23
Above the 2.0 offshore threshold — best suited for coastal and protected waters.
Hull Speed
5.5kts
Pounds/Inch Immersion
3lbs
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
4.2
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
3.23
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 C Scow sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.

Cruiser/Racer 90–150
Cruiser 150–210
Heavy Cruiser 210–300
Highlander 191s/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° 2.6 3.3 3.7 3.8
Close Reach60° 3.1 4.0 4.4 4.6
Beam Reach90° 3.9 4.9 5.4 5.9
Broad Reach120–135° 3.6 4.5 5.0 5.5
Run150–180° 2.9 3.6 4.0 4.2
These are simplified estimates based on hull speed (5.5 kts), SA/D (46.1), 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 C 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 C Scow.

C Scow Flying Dutchman Flying Fifteen Highlander Inland 20 Scow Shark Catamaran
Dimensions
LOA 20.0 20.0 20.0 20.0 20.0 20.0
LWL — — 15.0 19.7 — 17.0
Beam 7.0 5.9 7.0 6.7 5.7 10.0
Displacement 650 287 725 830 595 300
Ballast — — 372 — — —
Sail Area 216 200 142 225 176 235
Performance
PHRF — — — 191 — —
SA/Disp 46.1 73.6 28.2 40.8 39.9 84.0
Bal/Disp — — 51.3 — — —
Comfort 4.2 2.3 5.1 5.2 — —
Capsize 3.23 3.58 3.12 2.84 2.70 —
Hull Speed 5.5 5.5 5.2 5.9 — —