Exciting news that’s been a long time coming . . . the Small Craft Advisor magazine released their first formal review of the SCAMP!
For a bit of backstory, the SCAMP, which stands for Small Craft Advisor Magazine Project, was originally conceived by the magazine as a kit boat that would meet the needs of adventurous small craft sailors. It was designed by a team of passionate and knowledgeable small-craft experts that Small Craft Advisor brought together to build something of the “ideal” capable and fun small craft.
You can see how that history might have made Small Craft Advisor hesitant to review a boat of its own design. As the article says, “Given our
involvement with the boat and our predictablebiases, we weren’t sure we’d everpublish a formal Review article. Howeverwith the passing years and more sailinghours being logged, more owners areavailable to offer feedback making us confidentwe can offer a reasonably impartialreview of our magazine’s little flagship…”
Our own Falk and Dave were involved in the effort, and we hosted SCAMP events right here in our shop in Gig Harbor as we prepared to adapt the design to fiberglass.
From the archives: The SCAMP rendezvous meeting at the shop
The 6-page review covers the SCAMP as a whole, including both kit-constructed models as well as the fiberglass version made by us here at Gig Harbor Boat Works. It is filled with the personal feedback of both DIY builders and those who’ve purchased our fiberglass boats ready to sail, and it quotes several other press reviews as well.
We’ve republished a few excerpts here – but the whole thing is worth reading. For the full article, please see the check out the Nov/Dec issue ofSmall Craft Advisor. (Note: the PDF issue isavailable for purchase here.)
This distinctive microcruiser with unusual features has established a cult following
It all started simply enough. We wereon a 150-mile cruise down the ColumbiaRiver on our 16-foot sailboat and, eventhough the boat drew only two feet,we kept coming upon even shallowertributaries and backwaters we longed toexplore. The perfect boat for this kindof sailing, we thought, was smaller andsimpler, rowable, with a flat bottom andskegs so we could take the ground andwait out the tide if we wanted—a boatthat would allow us to explore deeperinto the tidal zones and along the water’sedge. To camp comfortably we’d wantsome accommodations—a good sleepingberth, plenty of stowage, and some protectionfrom the elements—but we didn’twant a fully enclosed cabin, which wouldbe claustrophobic on a boat this size andpossibly even dangerous. A partial cabinwould be better. We also recognized thiswas a big river and we saw how rough itcould get when the wind blew against thecurrent—this little boat would also haveto be seaworthy.
PERFORMANCE
Scamp has been called “sneaky fast,”and compared to a bumblebee for flyingbetter than its shape suggests it should.However you want to say it, Scamp’s performancetends to surprise folks.
. . .
While not a planing boat, Scamp doesget up to hull speed quickly and, beinggenerously canvassed, will move in justa whisper of wind. At only 11’11” long it won’t keep up with the fastest 15 to18-footers, but it will literally sail circlesaround the slower ones.
. . .
Finally, it’s the boat’s extreme maneuverabilitythat might be her best performancefeature. With a single sheet and noshrouds or stays, a sailor can put the helmhard over and Scamp will do circles inlittle more than her hull length, makingher quite capable of sailing into marinasor other tight quarters.
Josh Colvin signals his approval of the prototype
Gig Harbor fiberglass Scamp. Photo by Debra Colvin for Small Craft Advisor.
TRAILERING AND LAUNCHING
At 420 pounds empty, Scamp is lightenough to be trailered by many smaller4-cylinder vehicles, and an importantcorollary is that she’s light enough to repositionon her trailer in a garage, or pushher bow off the shore when beached.
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“Havecome to really like the simplicity and ease ofsailing with the balanced lug sail.” Todd &Jan Sellick, Litle Bark, GH Scamp.
SEAWORTHINESS
Where a lot of popular trailerablesailboats are not recoverable after capsize,needing a tow or assistance to right and/or pump out, Scamp was designed withself-rescue in mind. In the event the boat is knocked down she will remain afloatand can usually be righted, re-boardedand sailed away—often without needingmuch or any bailing.
. . .
“Tender to about 10 to 15 degrees then itstiffness up quickly. The boat likes the firstreef at 12 to 15 mph winds. The 2nd reef atabout 22 mph. Once reefed the boat settlesdown nicely.” Paul Stovner, Frisky 2015Gig Harbor Model #367
ACCOMMODATIONS
Few categories are more subjective thansailboat accommodations. Just like withterrestrial camping, where some folksthink of backpacks and bivy tents, othersimagine motorhomes and microwaveovens. The latter group will find Scampwanting, but the former will be embarrassedby its excesses.
Todd and Jan Sellick’s shot of their ‘glass Scamp Little Bark nosed up to a small island at the east end of Bigstone Bay, on Lake of the Woods, Ontario.
QUALITY
The so-called “glass Scamp” is a perfectmatch for its wooden sisterships, with nonoticeable differences in performanceor handling. Certain systems, like thewater ballast, lend themselves well tolow-maintenance fiberglass construction.Instead of wood, Gig Harbor uses ruggedcomposite materials for things likethwarts and foils.
The Gig Harbor version also employsa two-piece aluminum mast (powdercoated in a tan color) that can be brokendown for travel stowage. As it’s even lighter than a birdsmouth wooden equivalent,many Scamp builders have optedfor the Gig Harbor masts and built theirown booms and yards.
. . .
“Very good quality. The boat is two yearsold and looks new with no gel coat cracks.No issues or failures with the hardware.Very sturdy and ready to take heavyweather. Only flexing is the lower portionbackrest coaming in the co*ckpit. This seemsto have no effect on the operation of theboat. No delaminations.” Paul Stovner,Frisky 2015 Gig Harbor Model #367
VALUE
One question we get now and then is whether someone ought to buy a glassScamp or build their own. We thinkthe answer is easy: If you’re truly excitedabout building your own boat and havethe time, then go with the kit. If you justlike the design and want to go sailing,buy the Gig Harbor model. You’ll probablysave money if you build your own,but only if you don’t factor in your time.
. . .
“Very good value, better than a Potter 15for performance and ease to set up, andmore comfortable to sail.” Paul Stovner,Frisky 2015 Gig Harbor Model
Needless to say, SCAMP has surpassed our expectations both as a boat design and in terms of its overall popularity. In addition to proving itself the capable beach-cruiser and backwater explorer we’d imagined, the little boat has inspired adventures, sparked friendships, and drawn new sailors and builders into our small-boat community.
Want to learn more about our fiberglass SCAMP’s creation?Browse through the SCAMP archives!
What’s the first step of building a new fiberglass boat? Building a wood one!
