Solent Scow

The Solent Scow dates back to around Edwardian times, the story goes that local Lymington sailor Captain Nicholson found that his west country built pram dinghy wasnt suited to the choppy conditions of the Solent and around 1912 asked local boat builder Dan Bran to build what is in effect a sharp nosed pram dinghy.

The boat gained popularity in the 1920s and 30s becoming known as the Scow with clubs racing the boats in nearby Yarmouth, Beaulieu and further a field Hamble and Portsmouth each fleet with minor variations.

Several builders offered the Scow including the Berthon Yard in Lymington which built hundreds.

During the 1950s Scows were still being raced and used as yacht tenders, but as clinker boat building became less cost effective the design was revived in GRP.

Up until 1985 the Scow was used for junior racing in Lymington, but by that time the moulds werent up to scratch, so local builder John Claridge was asked to build a revised Scow making it a better all around dinghy for racing and training.

The Scow today is also built by Flight Marine and there are fleets at boths end of the Solent sailing from Chichester, Bembride, Yarmouth, Lymington and Keyhaven.

Pictures here are the Yarmouth fleet sailing on the upper reaches of the River Yar on the Isle of Wight.

LOA 11 4"

Beam 411"

Sail Area

Main 84 Sq ft

Jib 12 Sq ft

Weight 220lbs

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BETH Sailing Canoe

Robert Hoffman in Poland is a 1001 Boats follower and having read his own blog I asked if we could feature his delightful Sailing Canoe "Beth".



Designed by Michael Storer


Robert tells the story as follows, "Even before 2000, my brother found on the internet an interesting and simple in construction, sailing canoe modeled on traditional sailing canoes from 1870, American sharpies and famous American boat designer Phil Bolgers influences. A boat so pleased him that soon he made contact with the Australian designer Michael Storer and bought the plans. He was going to build it, but life turned out differently. Ever since my brother showed me BETHs building plans, she liked at first sight to me also - with its elegance and simplicity, as well as the expected features of the sailing.



A few years later my brother gave me BETHs plans to build. In April 2009, build began my sailing canoe in my tiny garage. The whole time I was by Internet in contact with Michael Storer, who on his forum and private gave me some useful advices. The boat was a really inexpensive and simple to build. Building was possible singlehanded and using a very modest set of tools. After several months, just before the onset of cold weather definitive construction was interrupted for the winter, and then resumed in April 2010.



My BETH Sailing canoe was launched May 28, 2010 in Gdansk (Gorki Zachodnie), where it took part in the Raid Poland 2010. She obtained the name "YuanFen" (Chinese - a force that brings people together) but the variable and uncertain weather and the experience and common sense meant that BETH “YuanFen” did not emerge over the Gulf of Gdansk.

From June 2010 to the end of August Ihave tested it on a little lake (Jezioro Dziekanowskie) near my house. She proved a fast boat and pleasant sailing. Is the boat for the experienced sailor, but the hull is relatively more stable than the other canoe hulls. She is easy to maneuver on land it singlehanded and easy for trailering and roofracking. She draws attention to its characteristic appearance and speed - she is the attraction of the waters which she will be on.

I am grateful to the designer Michael Strorer for such a beautiful design and for his advice and comments, which I gladly gave during construction, as well as my brother, for showing me BETH and transmission plans, including the right to build her.

I have serious plans to continue to use my sailing canoe BETH "YuanFen" - I intend to test it to a larger water body, and prepare for the trip (in 2012) from the Poland to Danish island Bornholm - about 70 nm open Baltic Sea. This requires preparation and common sense - good and stable weather is essential. I believe this is possible, but always keep in mind that this is just a tiny canoe."



Beth has a delightful simplicity and elegance, a perfect boat for getting out and enjoying being on the water, equally as many intrepid Victorian sailors were to demonstrate these small craft can make remarkable voyages. We look forward to hearing more on Roberts open water voyage on the Baltic.

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