The Mc Scow is aggressively canvassed for its weight.
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
38.6
Performance-oriented — carries a lot of canvas for its weight.
Capsize Screening
3.03
Above the 2.0 offshore threshold — best suited for coastal and protected waters.
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.
Capsize Screening Formula
3.03
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
Wind Range & Comfort Envelope
Estimated wind ranges for comfortable sailing on the Mc Scow — based on sail area, ballast, and displacement characteristics.
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 Mc Scow.
| Mc Scow | Contender | Fireball | Hornet | Isotope | M 16 Scow | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||||||
| LOA | 16.0 | 16.0 | 16.2 | 16.0 | 16.0 | 16.0 |
| LWL | — | 15.0 | 13.3 | 15.0 | — | — |
| Beam | 5.7 | 4.7 | 4.4 | 4.6 | 7.5 | 5.8 |
| Displacement | 420 | 230 | 170 | 300 | 275 | 440 |
| Sail Area | 135 | 120 | 123 | — | 185 | 147 |
| Performance | ||||||
| SA/Disp | 38.6 | 51.2 | 64.2 | — | 70.1 | 40.7 |
| Comfort | — | 3.0 | 2.6 | 4.0 | — | — |
| Capsize | 3.03 | 3.05 | 3.19 | 2.74 | — | 3.05 |
| Hull Speed | — | 5.2 | 4.9 | 5.2 | — | — |