Editing Scow (section)

==Racing boats: the inland lake scows==
In the early 20th century, smaller [[sloop]] and [[catboat|cat]] rigged scows became popular [[sailboats]] on inland [[lake]]s throughout the [[midwestern]] [[United States]]. First popularized by [[Johnson Boat Works]] in [[Minnesota]], these boats were distinguished by their larger sail plans, retractable [[bilgeboard]]s, and (in some classes) twin [[rudder]]s. There are many active racing classes throughout the [[Midwest]], Western New York, the New Jersey Shore and parts of the [[Southern United States|South]]. These [[boats]] are traditionally identified by their class letters:
* '''[[A-Scow|A]]:''' The largest inland lake scow at 38 feet long, the A normally requires a crew of six or seven. The sail plan includes a [[mainsail]], a [[jib]], and a large [[asymmetrical spinnaker]]. It has twin rudders. A new A scow (with sails and a trailer) cost $200,000 in 2020. Once the fastest monohull sailboat in the world, has been clocked in at {{convert|33|kn|0}}. It is possible to waterski behind these sailboats, as demonstrated by [[Buddy Melges]].
* '''[[E-Scow|E]]:''' This is essentially a smaller version of the A scow. Only 28 feet long, it requires a crew of three or four. In 2007, the class association NCESA<ref>[http://www.e-scow.org/ NCESA]</ref> voted to make the asymmetrical spinnaker the class legal standard.
* '''[[M Scow|M-16]]:''' This 16-foot scow crews two, and has a mainsail and jib but no spinnaker. It has tiny dual rudders like the A and the E. 
* '''[[I-20 (Sailing Scow)|M-20]]:''' A 20-foot version of the M-16, with the addition of a backstay, a tunnel hull, twin bilgeboards and rudders, and a spinnaker. Modern boats are built with both the symmetrical spinnaker, or the [[I-20 (Sailing Scow)|I-20]] version with an asymmetrical spinnaker. Because of the hull configuration, at a substantial angle of heel, it is similar to having a catamaran on one hull: the ratio of waterline length to breadth increases dramatically, along with a geometric increase in speed.
* '''[[C-Scow|C]]:''' This is a 20-foot [[catboat]] with one large sail set far forward on the hull. It requires a crew of two or three. Unlike the A and E, the C-scow has a large, efficient single rudder. It has no permanent backstay, so jibing the boat requires the quick use of running backstays.
* '''[[MC Scow|MC]]:''' The MC is a "mini-C" of sorts, a 16-foot cat-rigged boat with a higher and narrower sailplan. It also has a large efficient single rudder. It can be sailed competitively by 1 person. This is a growing class, especially popular in the midwest and southern USA.
* '''[[Melges 17|17]]:''' Introduced in 2005 by [[Melges Performance Sailboats]], the 17 is a departure from traditional scow design. It has an [[asymmetrical]] spinnaker and retractable [[bowsprit]], a high-roach full-battened mainsail, and unusually long and thin rudder and bilgeboards.
*'''[[Butterfly (dinghy)|Butterfly]]:''' This small scow is meant to be sailed by one person. It features a cat rig, and unlike the boats above, it has a [[daggerboard]].

Contrary to the connotations of the old definition of "scow" (large and slow), the inland lake scows are extremely fast—the wide, flat bottom hull allows them to [[Planing (sailing)|plane]] easily. As a consequence of this, the A scow is the highest rated [[centerboard]] boat according to the US [[Portsmouth yardstick]] numbers.