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M 16 Scow
Designer: Johnson/Melges Boat Works  ·  Builder: Windward Boatworks  ·  First built: 1950
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About the M 16 Scow

Scow designs have carved out a distinctive niche in sailing, and this particular model represents the traditional characteristics that define this unique hull form. Built for speed and shallow-water sailing, scows feature their trademark wide, flat-bottomed hull with hard chines that create exceptional stability and impressive performance in moderate conditions. This design excels in protected waters, inland lakes, and coastal areas where shallow drafts prove advantageous. The scow's generous beam provides remarkable initial stability, making it confidence-inspiring for sailors transitioning from smaller boats. When conditions are right, these boats can achieve exhilarating speeds that often surprise newcomers to the type. The M 16 Scow suits recreational sailing and informal racing, particularly appealing to sailors who appreciate responsive handling and the ability to access shallow anchorages inaccessible to deeper-draft vessels. However, potential owners should understand that scows perform best in their intended environment of relatively protected waters rather than challenging offshore conditions. While detailed specifications remain limited, the fundamental scow characteristics suggest a boat that rewards active sailing with engaging performance, offering an authentic connection to a time-honored design philosophy that prioritizes speed and shallow-water capability over heavy-weather ocean sailing.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 16.00 ft / 4.88 m
Beam 5.80 ft / 1.77 m
Displacement 440.00 lb / 200 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 147.00 ft² / 13.66 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Scow Twin Cbrd.
Rigging Type Frac. Sloop (Rotating Spar)
Construction FG
Designer Johnson/Melges Boat Works
Builder Windward Boatworks
First Built 1950
Related Sailboats ["Mc Scow" · "Hornet" · "Contender" · "Fireball" · "Isotope"]
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Performance Ratios
SA/Displacement Sail Area to Displacement ratio measures how much sail power a boat has relative to its weight. Higher values mean more performance and speed.
Under 14 — Heavy cruiser, slow14–18 — Cruising sailboat18–22 — Cruiser/racerOver 22 — Performance racer
40.71
Capsize Screening Formula The USHS Capsize Screening Formula estimates offshore capsize risk. Lower is safer — values under 2.0 are considered acceptable for offshore sailing.
Under 2.0 — Safe for offshore2.0–2.2 — Borderline offshoreOver 2.2 — Coastal use recommended
3.05
How It Compares

vs. Contender, Fireball, Hornet

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
M 16 Scow ★
16.0 ft
Contender
16.0 ft
Fireball
16.2 ft
Hornet
16.0 ft
LWL
M 16 Scow ★
Contender
15.0 ft
Fireball
13.3 ft
Hornet
15.0 ft
Beam
M 16 Scow ★
5.8 ft
Contender
4.7 ft
Fireball
4.4 ft
Hornet
4.6 ft
Displacement
M 16 Scow ★
440 lbs
Contender
230 lbs
Fireball
170 lbs
Hornet
300 lbs
Sail Area
M 16 Scow ★
147 sq ft
Contender
120 sq ft
Fireball
123 sq ft
Hornet
Performance
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
M 16 Scow ★
40.7
Contender
51.2
Fireball
64.2
Hornet
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
M 16 Scow ★
Contender
3.0
Fireball
2.6
Hornet
4.0
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
M 16 Scow ★
3.05
Contender
3.05
Fireball
3.19
Hornet
2.74
Hull Speed
M 16 Scow ★
Contender
5.2 kts
Fireball
4.9 kts
Hornet
5.2 kts
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