What is the Scamp's sail area to displacement ratio?

The Scamp has a Sail Area to Displacement ratio (SA/D) of 28.56. Values between 14–18 are typical cruising sailboats; 18–22 is cruiser/racer; over 22 is performance racing.

What is the Scamp's comfort ratio?

The Scamp has a Ted Brewer Comfort Ratio of 6.51. A ratio over 30 indicates good offshore comfort; over 40 is very comfortable offshore.

What is the hull speed of the Scamp?

The theoretical hull speed of the Scamp is 4.27 kn knots, calculated from its waterline length.

How much does a Scamp weigh?

The Scamp has a displacement of 420.00 lb and a length overall (LOA) of 11.92 ft.

How much does a used Scamp cost?

Based on 2 recent market listings, used Scamp sailboats typically sell for between $17,500 and $17,500, with a median asking price of $17,500. Price varies significantly based on year, condition, location, and included equipment.

Who designed the Scamp?

The Scamp was designed by John Welsford, first built in 2013.

Scamp Performance — PHRF Rating, Hull Speed & Sailing Characteristics

The Scamp 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.

4.3 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

28.6

Performance-oriented — carries a lot of canvas for its weight.

Displacement / Length

180

Moderate — a good balance of speed and load-carrying ability.

Comfort Ratio

6.5

Quick, snappy motion — better for day sails and racing than long passages.

Hull Speed

4.3kts

Pounds/Inch Immersion

1lbs

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

6.5

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

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°	2.0	2.5	2.8	3.0
Close Reach60°	2.4	3.1	3.4	3.6
Beam Reach90°	3.0	3.8	4.2	4.6
Broad Reach120–135°	2.8	3.5	3.9	4.2
Run150–180°	2.2	2.8	3.1	3.2

These are simplified estimates based on hull speed (4.3 kts), SA/D (28.6), 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 Scamp — 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 Scamp.

	Scamp	Beetle Cat	Beverly Dinghy	Captiva Escape	Howmar 12	Oday 12
Dimensions
LOA	11.9	12.3	11.5	11.5	12.2	12.3
LWL	—	11.7	—	—	10.4	11.5
Beam	5.3	6.1	4.5	5.0	5.0	5.0
Displacement	420	450	207	195	175	243
Sail Area	100	140	66	67	90	75
Performance
SA/Disp	28.6	38.2	30.2	31.9	46.1	30.8
Comfort	6.5	5.3	4.2	3.4	2.9	3.7
Capsize	—	3.18	3.04	3.45	3.58	3.21
Hull Speed	4.3	4.6	4.2	4.2	4.3	4.5