READER BOAT: Scamp by Paul Stovner


SCAMPS are trailerable adventure boats, and mine continues to delight me with that expectation. I have to say, designer John Welsford hit it out of the park with the design. Frisky is a Gig Harbor fiberglass version, and I have owned her for five years now. I’m only 5 miles from my local launch ramp, in Long Beach California, and this has allowed me to take her on 55 excursions to date. Most are daysails, with the oc- casional overnighter. Setup time is about 10 to 20 min-


utes depending on how much talking I’m doing at the ramp. I do have to get in Frisky to set her up. Storing of the mast and rudder is better than other boats I’ve had for trailering. No mast supports are needed, the tiller comes off, and the rudder, tiller and mast ex- tension all store in bags in the cockpit. The SCAMP sail, boom and yard are much like a lateen rig, in that they stay


Te SCAMP design uses lessons learned


from modern designs, and I find mine more seaworthy than other small boats I have had.


as one unit. Tis saves launch time, as you don’t have to attach the sails as you would on a sloop rig. Boom, yard and mast can be secured so they do not hang over the boat when trailering. Also, no stays to deal with. Frisky can sleep two, but it’s better


for one person overnight. You will need a tent and have to use backpack- ing camping techniques, but with some room for a few extra luxuries. I’m 6 feet tall and can sit upright under the veranda with my back against the bulkhead wall. Frisky seems to have more storage than a Potter 15 that I previously owned, and most of it is dry storage. The area under the Pot- ter’s seats don’t have a lot of room as they are somewhat shallow, and not very long. The SCAMP’s under-seat stowage is quite deep and longer. Te


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dry storage area in the bow is about the same as using one of the two bunks in the Potter’s cabin. And then you have open storage under the veranda. Te storage area under the cockpit sole can hold two anchors, with rode, and some additional stuff you may want to keep cool, like a couple of six packs or a box of wine. Frisky is wide and long with a decently


deep cockpit (can be deeper if you sail with the anchor locker open). With no centerboard trunk, the cockpit is wide- open, making her comfortable to sail with two or three people. Te one thing lacking is some back support, as there is no cabin or cockpit rails. (I’ve found a folding stadium seat solves this issue.) An author on small boats (sorry, I


can’t recall his name) said one of the best ways to get to know a boat before buying it is to wash it. With regards to other boats I have owned, the SCAMP wins here, as all of your items stored on the boat stay dry. With the nose pointed slightly up, all the wash water drains out with only a small amount leſt in the rear bilge area. Tis is the easiest boat I’ve had


SCAMP Designed by John Welsford


Length: 11' 11" Beam: 5'4" Draſt: 7"


Hull Weight: 420 lb Sail Area: 100 sq ſt www.ghboats.com


Plans available fom www.SmallCraſtAdvisor.com SMALL CRAFT ADVISOR


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