scamp sailboat data

Small Craft Advisor

Boat Designs: Evaluating SCAMP’S Big Sister

(this new welsford cruiser checks a lot of boxes…).

Over the past few days I’ve had email exchanges with John Welsford, New Zealand designer, regarding a brainstorm that’s been percolating in his clever, whimsical noggin: A bigger, more commodious takeoff on his wildly popular SCAMP design.

As most SCA readers know, the 11’ 11” SCAMP design was conceived 13 years ago when Josh Colvin, editor of this fine publication, asked Welsford to come up with a new kind of small cruising boat—one small enough to explore the most hard-to-penetrate backwaters, while being easy to rig, light enough to trailer with the smallest of tow vehicles, surprisingly great under sail, and comfy for overnight camp-cruising adventures. So, following some tweaks by designer and master boatbuilder Kees Prins, the resulting sailboat was dubbed SCAMP, for Small Craft Advisor Magazine Project.

SCAMP DRAWING…

The rest is history: More building plans and kits for SCAMP have been sold over the years than any other small cruising boat we can think of. Besides the original wooden version, Gig Harbor Boat Works was licensed in 2013 to produce a fiberglass SCAMP, and the little giant killer—in wood and fiberglass—has since its debut been at the center of various small-boat rallies, workshops and sailing events.

While SCAMPs are still being built worldwide by enthusiasts, plan and kit sales have slowly been approaching what might be a kind of saturation point. It’s not that “everyone who wants a SCAMP has already built one,” but we get the feeling that it’s time for something new and different—like a SCAMP-inspired design that has the personality and quirky appeal of the original boat, but with more creature comforts (for an aging population of SCAMP lovers).

Meet SCALLYWAG, John Welsford’s big sister to SCAMP, a 15’ 4” x 7’ 3” wonder with a “real” cabin, tabernacle mast, mizzen sail, powerful main, water-ballast tanks, sitting headroom down below…and like SCAMP, faster than many onlookers might expect.

SCALLYWAG DRAWING…

This might turn out to be a timely, common-sense follow-up to the successful SCAMP design—so tempting that John Welsford is talking about building one for himself.

(As a footnote, we might add that in 2008, prior to the introduction of SCAMP in 2010, Welsford came up with another design that was similar to but somewhat larger than SCAMP—called TREAD LIGHTLY, which measured 13’ overall, with a beam of 5’ and addition of a mizzen. The series of similar hulls began with PEANUTS, an experimental build that never quite made the plans list. That design led to TENDER BEHIND, then SHERPA, then TREAD LIGHTLY, then SCAMP, then SCRAPS and now SCALLYWAG. Quite a series!)

TREAD LIGHTLY drawing…immediate predecessor to SCAMP)

Here is John Welsford’s description of the SCALLYWAG design:

“I’ve had a number of people tell me they love SCAMP, but they’d like a ‘real’ cabin—something that would provide shelter for a couple of friends to overnight out of the rain; somewhere with space enough for four to sit and chat over coffee or rum on a cold evening; somewhere with a bench for a cooker, a table to eat the food off of, and lockers for all the essentials…and room for the skipper and first mate to stretch out and sleep in comfort.

“SCALLYWAG is not so big as to make launching and retrieving a chore; her mainmast is in a tabernacle, which makes standing it up easy-peasy for clients who don’t like the idea of lifting a mast that size vertically into place. Her mizzen is light enough to not be a worry, too, in that respect.

“The rig is a powerful one, but easy to access for reefing, and she will heave to under mizzen with the main let free so she sits mostly head-to-wind, dry and restful if a gust has to be waited out.

“I’ve added a pair of big water tanks for ballast, so with that and her beamy shape she’ll be very stable. Her cockpit self-drains, the motor is inside the tall transom for easy access, and while there’s room in the cockpit for four, she’ll be easy to single-hand and relaxing to sail.

“While the relationship between SCALLYWAG and SCAMP is obvious, it’s not just the styling. The backroom calculations in hydrodynamics suggest she’ll handle well, and be faster than many expect. With high stability and the ability to sit upright when aground, she’ll be able to transition from hiding in the mud or sand up a creek somewhere, to making a longer coastal passage without any fuss.

“Construction is simply plywood over ply bulkheads, with stringers to line everything up, and with considerable buoyancy just in case. The plans will have scale drawings of all major components, and we anticipate soon having printable full-sized templates for frames and other key items.”

As for specifications, beyond the overall length of 15’ 4” and beam of 7’ 3,” SCALLYWAG will have board-up draft of 10,” a board-down draft of 3’ 4,” a total sail area of 143 s.f. and a fully-rigged dry weight of 750 lbs. (Incidentally, the beam-to-length ratios of SCAMP and SCALLYWAG are almost identical.)

John Welsford says that plans for SCALLYWAG will be available on December 1, but he can take orders in the meantime. Price will be $245 U.S. funds for emailed, printable PDFs, and the plans can be ordered via John’s website: jwboatdesigns.co.nz (Joel Bergen, well-known for the Welsford Navigator he built and sails in many Northwest small-boat events, will be developing a set of SCALLYWAG patterns in the not-distant future, according to Welsford. Editor’s note: We heard from Joel yesterday; he’s hoping to develop CAD-produced patterns “in a few weeks,” now that he’s received initial SCALLYWAG drawings. Stay tuned; we’ll provide updates on plans and patterns in this space.)

FIRST IMPRESSIONS OF THE SCALLYWAG DESIGN:

Eager to hear what SCAMP-savvy friends might have to say about the SCALLYWAG specs and just-released drawing, we sought initial reactions from…

JOSH COLVIN, editor of Small Craft Advisor , who commissioned the SCAMP design in 2010 and enjoys sailing SCAMP #1:

“There’s certainly no doubt who designed this one! It looks almost as much like Welsford’s PENGUIN as a SCAMP. SCALLYWAG’s length is a sweet spot in terms of accommodations potential. She’ll be rowed less than most SCAMPs, but I love the inboard motor well to keep her lines clean, and the engine right at hand. But her most exciting feature is the addition of the mizzen, which will improve seaworthiness and make managing the mainsail easier.

“Between LONG STEPS and SCALLYWAG, those looking for something like SCAMP, but larger, have great options. I’m excited to see the first boat built—she will be bigger than most expect, just looking at the drawing.” SIMEON BALDWIN, builder of an early SCAMP who has perhaps sailed more nautical miles with a SCAMP than anyone…and who has also served as a generous advisor to fellow SCAMP builders and is an expert on rigging and sailing the little 11’ 11” boats:

“I like what I see of this long-rumored design. Knowing John and his attention to ergonomics, I can anticipate it will work well. The tabernacled mast and addition of a mizzen are most appealing.

“From the drawing I think it may resemble LONG STEPS in terms of the recessed footwell. It also appears he is eschewing a by-design lazarette made popular by many SCAMP owners.

“The double water tanks are something to contemplate. I don’t envision SCALLYWAG as a purpose-built racer with crew, actively keeping high-side ballast on long tacks, like the SKATE 15 that Brandon Davis designed, which utilizes two tanks and a dump-valve system that may be more elaborate than a typical cruising sailor would want to live with. But John may be describing two water tanks that are filled and remain separate from one another.”

(Editor’s note: Welsford’s comment on tanks, “The ballast tanks are linked, and they’re not far enough off the centerline to work independently. There is one each side of the aft end of the centerboard case and they go out as far as the seat-front extensions.”)

“I’m looking forward to how all of this works out!”

BRANDON DAVIS, of Turn Point Design in Port Townsend, whose company cuts CNC kits for the SCAMP and a variety of other small boats. Brandon is also a skilled designer and small-boat sailor:

“I really like this boat, since it has just enough room to have a cabin but it’s still small enough to be trailered, beached and easily built in a garage. The enclosed cabin should encourage longer trips or taking a friend along.

“The longer waterline should increase average sailing speeds. My guess is that rowing speed will be lower than the SCAMP, as the rower will not be able to take advantage of the waterline length because of her weight.

“Will SCALLYWAG be offered as a kit? I could see it selling well as a kit and the market could be ripe. Many SCAMP builders might consider this as their next build.

“I look forward to seeing the first SCALLYWAGs on the water!”

KEES PRINS, designer and boatbuilder, who constructed the first SCAMP while serving as boatshop manager at the Northwest Maritime Center…and in the process suggested and implemented some changes that improved the design:

“I think SCALLYWAG will find a great following in the SCAMP world and beyond. Adding a cabin will greatly enlarge the ‘SCAMP Crowd.’ At that beam, and with twin ballast tanks, stability should be enormous for a boat this length. I would have liked to see a cross section through the cabin to know more about sitting comfort. (Four people hanging out inside seems a little optimistic, but two should be comfortable.)

“I’m curious about what the tabernacle for the unsupported mast will look like. A big sail area, together with a stiff hull will induce a significant load on the tabernacle. There seems to be a deep well for the mast base to swing through, judging by the drain hole.

“All in all, SCALLYWAG looks very promising.”

OSCAR LIND, a serious student of all various small-boat designs , and earlier builder of a SCAMP, who shares at least one thing in common with John Welsford—they’ve never met a pun they didn’t like:

“I might have to clear out the shop and make as much room as possible to build this boat (due to the 7’ 3” beam, especially). It’s so tempting and fills the bill for usability and function.

“It does need a Chinese lug rig, though. I expect quite a few SCALLYWAGS will ultimately be built.”

(Editor’s note: John Welsford comments, “I like the Chinese lugsail, but for a sail of this size on a boat that will be trailered, rigged and derigged for each outing and dry-stored, the extra complexity of the Junk sail slows the process. As well, the balanced lug is in my experience, a little quicker upwind—unless the junk rig has cambered-panel sails, and there are few sailmakers producing those, so I think in this case, simplicity and performance get the nod.”)

As for my personal view as a serial boatbuilder, restorer and sometimes buyer of project boats, I enjoyed owning a SCAMP several years ago. While I loved sailing the boat, I wished it was bigger and included a sleeping cabin. So, John’s new SCALLYWAG design checks many more boxes as an all-around keeper, and I prefer its overall hull, cabin and rig design, not to mention its potential as a serious cruising machine.

So, once again, here’s a chance for you, as a fellow boat nut, to offer your evaluation of SCAMP and her newly-hatched big sister, SCALLYWAG. (Also, please add other thoughts in the comments section below…) • SCA •

Ready for more?

SmallCraftAdvisor.com

Small-Boat Related Message Board

Skip to content

• Subscriptions
• Back Issues
• Instant Downloads
• Boat Plans & Kits
• Message Board
• Classifieds
• Quick links
• Home Board index SCAMP
• It is currently Sat Mar 30, 2024 7:48 pm
• All times are UTC

Scamp performance vs Potter p15

Moderator: Moderator

Post by tony lang » Sun Sep 03, 2017 1:00 am

Re: Scamp performance vs Potter p15

Post by Friends with SCAMPS » Sun Sep 03, 2017 3:28 am

Post by Brent65 » Sun Sep 03, 2017 9:42 pm

Post by wdscobie » Mon Sep 04, 2017 2:22 am

Post by Bchrovers » Wed Sep 06, 2017 3:54 am

Post by pocketyacht » Thu Sep 07, 2017 12:30 pm

Post by tony lang » Sat Sep 16, 2017 6:15 am

Post by Bchrovers » Sat Sep 16, 2017 11:35 am

Post by tony lang » Sun Nov 12, 2017 6:14 am

Post by tony lang » Sun Feb 18, 2018 4:45 am

Return to “SCAMP”

• Boat Building and Designs
• Small Boat Events and Gatherings
• Race to Alaska (R2AK)
• West Wight Potter
• Precision Sailboats
• ↳   News and Annoucements
• ↳   General Discussion
• Home Board index

Powered by phpBB ® Forum Software © phpBB Limited

Style by Arty - phpBB 3.3 by MrGaby

Privacy | Terms

• My Boats & Boat Articles
• Many types of Boatbuilding Plans
• Free Stitch and Glue Boat Plans
• Characteristics of Carbon Fiber

Steps in Building SCAMP

Here are the various steps I took to build my John Welsford SCAMP from Plans. The steps are not all in perfect chronological order because I would stop and work on a different part, then go back to what I was doing.

I build without assistance and some of my decisions and methods might not be the best or fastest. They work though. Because I work alone I have to find some ways of doing things that might take longer but can be safely accomplished by one person. I got help turning the boat though. The instruction manual is quite vague on many points and I hope future builders will find this boat building record useful.

I try to be accurate and check my information, but mistakes happen.

• Skerry build
• Stitch & Glue Boatbuilding
• Free Boat Plans

Small Print

This information is for general knowledge and entertainment. It's not intended to replace plans or proper instructions. I'm not suggesting that was I did was the best way.

• News & Trends
• Dinghy sailing
• Multiple sailing dinghy
• Exhibitions

Multiple sailing dinghy 12′ Scamp traditional recreational catboat

Characteristics

12'00" (3.66 m)

Description

Other gig harbor products, boat 12 to 8 feet.

• Sailing dinghy
• Recreational sailing dinghy
• Catboat sailing dinghy
• Skiff sailing dinghy
• Children's sailing dinghy
• Traditional sailing dinghy

SCAMP: Little boat, big possibilities

At 11 feet, 11 inches long, the microcruiser isn’t required to be registered in Washington state, and because it weighs in at about 400 pounds, it is easily towed by a standard-size vehicle. Unusually wide for its length, the offset keel allows a sailor to sleep aboard. Photo by Megan Claflin

Expanding this area’s reputation as a mecca for wooden boatbuilders and associated tradespeople, “SCAMP Camp” has captured the attention of mariners from around the globe.

A collaboration between the Northwest School of Wooden Boatbuilding and Small Craft Advisor magazine, the Small Craft Advisor Magazine Project (SCAMP) class teaches individuals ranging from beginners to professionals how to construct a kit-built microcruiser.

Hosted at the Northwest Maritime Center’s boat shop Aug. 6-17, the course, which was led by renowned sailors and instructors John Welsford and Howard Rice (see related story), attracted participants from as far away as Germany with a confluence of education, skills, expertise and artistry.

“It’s not just a boat, it’s an adventure,” said Rice. 

Designed for adventure

Having reviewed about 80 trailerable sailboats since the launch of Small Craft Advisor (SCA) in 2003, copublisher Josh Colvin identified desirable traits and features in each. An avid small-craft sailor with two young children, he and copublisher Craig Wagner wanted to help create a seaworthy vessel capable of navigating the backwaters and eddies of the Columbia River, a popular recreation area for the Colvin family. Through the selection and merging of qualities such as maneuverability, stability and capacity, SCAMP emerged.

Embodying the allure that draws many youth to sailing, the little cruiser embodies the epitome of freedom and functionality. Unlike larger yachts, which many sailors gravitate toward as their experience and age increases, in a SCAMP, one can simply get in, shove off and have yourself an adventure, said Colvin.

“That whole vision of sailing gets distorted as you go through life and get burdened by boat maintenance, moorage, etc.,” he said. “SCAMP sailors are [often] guys with big boats moving back to the basics.”

At a glance

Once Colvin and Wagner had developed a concept they contacted Welsford, a well-known small-craft designer, educator and sailor based in New Zealand who has contributed articles and reviews to Small Craft Advisor over the years. Colvin would later reflect that choosing Welsford to design SCAMP was “one of the smartest” decisions he could have made.

“John’s sensibility and knowledge is impeccable,” Colvin said. “Immediately, he had ideas and suggestions that were right in line with the type of boat we dreamed of.”

At a length of 11 feet, 11 inches, the microcruiser isn’t required to be registered in Washington state, and because it weighs in at about 400 pounds, it is easily towed by a standard-size vehicle.

“This is the type of boat you can pull behind the family Subaru and head out for a weekend on the water,” Colvin said.

Easily sailed by one person, the vessel can seat as many as four adults comfortably, with ample room for gear in a storage cabin encompassing much of the bow. Unusually wide for its length, the offset keel allows a sailor to sleep aboard. A cuddy, or open cabin, provides passengers with a windbreak and shields them from inclement weather.

“The [cuddy cabin] is really great, because you, or the kids, can tuck in underneath and stay warm and dry,” Welsford said.

Designed with a specific set of needs in mind, SCAMP features a pram bow and water ballast tank for increased stability. A shallow draft, kick-up rudder and skegs allow the boat to be beached.

“Normal design rules would suggest that [SCAMP] wouldn’t work, but these boats are sneaky fast and very stable,” Welsford said.

‘Let’s test it’

SCAMP is so stable, in fact, that Rice – a famous small-craft sailor known for doubling Cape Horn, the “sailor’s Mount Everest,” solo in a 55-pound wood-canvas sailing canoe – had to work at capsizing the vessel.

Rice set off from the Port Townsend Boat Haven on a cold December day in 2010 to test-sail the first SCAMP prototype – built by Kees Prins and the Northwest Maritime Center. The following March he returned from his home in Micronesia to conduct capsize testing. Standing on the lee rail with mainsheet in hand, Rice struggled to knock the SCAMP over despite high winds. Finally he managed to put her on her side and jumped into the water. Wearing a dry suit and under the close eye of seasoned sailors, Rice took less than a minute to pull the boat upright and clamor back inside the cockpit.

“SCAMP’s stability is one of its greatest qualities,” Rice said. “Even in those extreme conditions, I was able to recover quickly.”

(To view a video of the capsize test, visit

 youtube.com and search “SCAMP active capsize.”)

Looking like wooden skeletons, ten SCAMP frame sets consumed nearly all of the space in the Northwest Maritime Center’s boat shop, allowing just enough room for 13 students and four instructors to maneuver in between cutting, sawing, sanding, gluing and jointing the boats together.

Ten students set out to build their own SCAMPs, while others assisted as “shadows,” learning the process so they could assemble their boats at a future date. Skill levels ranged widely, said Welsford, but camaraderie quickly formed, and soon the hum of activity was drawing crowds of passersby.

Welsford and Rice teamed up with boat shop manager Scott Jones and assistant manager Jason Bledsoe, both NWSWB alumni, to teach the course. Rice later referred to the combination of instructors as “seamless happiness.”

“I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to work with such a talented group of individuals,” he said. “I learned so much and find that my style of boatbuilding is now truly enhanced.”

Traveling from Portland, Keith Nasman said that the instructors helped not only by offering direction and advice, but by performing many of the tedious tasks, such as cutting planks, so students could focus on learning the more intricate techniques.

Eric Hervol, a NWSWB graduate, said that he relished the opportunity to work in a style of boatbuilding different than that to which he was accustomed and under the instruction of high-caliber teachers.

“It is a rare to be able to build a boat alongside the actual designer,” he said. “It’s an opportunity not to be missed.”

Local, local, local

In addition to the SCAMP being designed and built in Port Townsend, the SCAMP class causes an economic ripple effect as it draws on the talents and resources of local businesses and individuals.

“This is the first of what we hope to be many collaborations between the local schools and businesses centered in the marine trades,” said Pete Leenhouts, director of the Northwest School of Wooden Boatbuilding. “Together we can support and promote this community as a true destination for wooden boat enthusiasts.”

Turn Point Design owner Brandon Davis drafted plans for the SCAMP kit, which were essential to the success of the class. Cutting each kit from plywood purchased from local lumber supplier Edensaw Woods, Davis made slight adjustments to the original design, such as adding puzzle joints and scribe marks that aided in ease of construction.

“It has been a really fun project to be involved in and a great group of people to be working with,” he said.

Connecting with Port Townsend’s Westside Marine, Colvin and store manager Tim Arthur were able to customize an EZ Loader trailer to fit the SCAMP perfectly.

That success allowed Leenhouts to further promote a “package deal” to SCAMP builders, enabling participants to find all that they needed for the project locally.

Arthur said he initially expected to sell three to five trailers. He was “amazed” when the project “took on a life of its own” and he received orders for nine.

 We are very happy to have the opportunity to work with another local business and look forward to serving more [SCAMP] clients.”

SCAMPS are currently sold in one of four ways. Individuals can purchase a set of plans and build the boat at home; buy a kit and build it at home; purchase a kit and build it in a classroom setting; or commission a fiberglass model from Gig Harbor Boat Works. Colvin said each SCAMP is marked with a sail number, and so far, 169 have been sold to builders all around the world.

The next “SCAMP Camp” is scheduled for October in Michigan, with plans to return to Port Townsend for round two in March 2013, said Rice.

Both Welsford and Rice are scheduled to speak at the 36th annual Wooden Boat Festival, Sept.7-9, where a SCAMP will be on display.

Other items that may interest you

Colibri: products for an earth-concious life

Chimacum’s knowledge bowl team grows, perseveres, pths student forms 12-member band for senior project, port townsend hires new finance and technology services director.

Call Us: (253) 851-2126 Mon-Fri 9-5 Pacific Time

Scamp Balanced-Lug Rigging Tutorial

by GHBoats Webmaster | Jan 11, 2019 | Best of GHBoats , SCAMP

By popular request… at long last, a video tutorial about rigging the  SCAMP Sailboat , with its balanced lug rig! It can look a bit intimidating at first if you’re only familiar with sloop-rigged boats, but it’s actually pretty simple once you know what you’re doing. We hope you find this helpful! ⛵️

As a side note, this tutorial is also helpful for the Melonseed , which uses the same essential balanced-lug rig. The attachment points are different of course, but the same general principles apply.

Newest Posts

• Lobster Boat Redesign — Update #2
• Mailbag: Family Diving from a 14′ Whitehall
• New Year, New Digs!
• Save the Date: Seattle Boat Show Feb 2-10, 2024
• Wild Places: Sleeping Aboard the Salish Voyager
• Beach Dolly (1)
• Best of GHBoats (5)
• Customer Questions (8)
• Customization (1)
• Galleries (4)
• Maintenance and Repairs (3)
• Announcements (13)
• Boat Shows (12)
• Just for Fun (17)
• Mailbag (43)
• Newsletters (25)
• Ocean Rowing (13)
• Press Reviews (10)
• Now Hiring (1)
• Woodwork (3)
• Captain's Gig (2)
• Jersey Skiff (4)
• Lobster Boat (4)
• Melonseed (6)
• Navigator (4)
• Nisqually (2)
• Point Defiance (7)
• Salish Voyager (17)
• Swampscott Dory (1)
• Whitehall (6)
• Sea Stories (12)
• Site Guide (4)
• Uncategorized (1)

Blog Archives

Site search.

The story of my SCAMP sailboat build. For more information on the design, see www.smallcraftadvisor.com

Sunday, June 7, 2015

Launching day scamp #243 is afloat.

Sunday, March 29, 2015

Applying sail numbers - what worked, what didn't....

Sunday, March 22, 2015

Diy no-cost hiking stick clip.

Sunday, March 15, 2015

Mast support blocks cut and fit.

SCAMP gets a nose job (solving a problem with a custom router jig)

Sunday, March 1, 2015

Mast and spars - final sanding and shaping.

Sunday, February 22, 2015

Birdsmouth mast glued up.

• Plans & Kits
• Kits and Packages
• Qty in Cart

Scamp Foils Kit

SCAMP CNC PLYWOOD KIT

S.C.A.M.P. Plans Instant Download

Scamp Hardware

SCAMP Rigging Kits

Rudder Hardware for Scamp

S.C.A.M.P. Printed Plans

S.C.A.M.P. Sail

• Total: items /
• Add all to cart

Adding your products to cart