Classic Scows

The Scow is a flat bottomed, lug sailed dinghy, 11′ 3″ or 11′ 4″ feet long, widely sailed in the waters surrounding the Solent, between the Isle of Wight and the mainland. There are many local variations, such as the Bembridge Scow, the Beaulieu River Scow and the West Wight Scow

Although the basic design of the Scow dates back to 1914 the class remains popular, with specific classes in most sailing clubs. Scows were originally built using a traditional wooden clinker construction, but most builders later switched to glass fibre.

Classic Scows, the website of the West-Wight Scow Class Association, celebrates the class, both the traditional wooden boats built by local craftsmen and the GRP dinghies widely sailed today.