C Scow Sailboats for Sale & Market Overview

Drawing Diagram

Builder drawing

Hull type

Scow · centerboard

Rig

Cat Rig

LOA

20' · 6.1 m

Displ.

650 lbs · 295 kg

First year

1905

The CScow stands as a foundational pillar of American inland lake racing, a 20foot catrigged powerhouse that defies traditional naval architecture with its distinctive "scow" hull. Originally designed to navigate the shallow, gusty waters of the Midwestern United States, the model has been refined over a century, primarily under the stewardship of Melges Performance Sailboats. Unlike conventional monohulls that rely on deep keels for stability, the CScow utilizes a flatbottomed, rectangular hull form and dual retractable bilge boards. This design allows the boat to plane at high speeds, effectively skipping over the water’s surface rather than pushing through it. As noted by the National CScow Class Association, the boat is traditionally sailed by a crew of two or three, offering a visceral, highadrenaline experience that has preserved its status as one of the most competitive onedesign classes in North America.