Design and Construction
Honnor Marine built the Scaffie in fiberglass with a solid hull and deck. The full keel with twin bilge keels not only simplifies the interior but also gives the boat a stable, self-righting footprint on the beach. Molded fiberglass side benches with flotation, together with two wooden rowing thwarts, can accommodate up to four people, and the foam-filled molded flotation compartments are a genuine safety asset — one owner reported the boat stayed afloat when swamped and needed only to be righted and bailed before sailing on anchor. The rudder itself does not extend below the keel line, so it survives grounding without being lifted anchor.
Rig and Handling
The Scaffie carries a boomless standing lugsail of 100 square feet, a rig that is simple to handle and drawn with two reefs for shortening sail when the wind builds anchor. The mast is stepped through a partner fitted with a gate: you set the mast in the step, pivot it upright, and lock it with the gate, while cleats on the partner hold the halyard and the tack downhaul. Sheet leads are cleverly arranged for single-handed control — the mainsheet runs through a block on the rudderhead and forward along the tiller, where it can be cleated or simply gripped along with the tiller. Two uprights set in stern sockets support a shoulder-high rope traveler above the tiller. Under oars the boat normally carries one set of oars and is rowed solo from either the forward or aft station to keep the best trim.
Accommodations and Equipment
There is no cabin; the Scaffie is an open boat with molded side benches and two rowing thwarts providing seating and flotation for up to four. The engine arrangement is practical for a boat of this class: an inboard engine well accepts a 2 to 3 hp outboard and is open aft so the motor can pivot over obstructions or be kicked up for rowing and sailing without removal anchor. The well is offset to port enough that the rudder remains useful for steering under power. Standard equipment from Honnor Marine included foam buoyancy, rudder, tiller, sail, Sitka spruce spars, and bronze rowlock sockets.
Ownership and Refits
Ownership of a Scaffie is straightforward: the lug rig is easy to raise and lower via the gated mast partner, the inboard well keeps an outboard protected yet serviceable, and the open uncluttered floor makes maintenance and storage simple. The boat's light weight and shallow draft make trailering and launching undemanding. Honnor Marine supplied the core equipment, and the boat's longevity in production since 1978 means spares and knowledge within the Drascombe community are reasonably established.
The Verdict
The Scaffie is a minimalist, seaworthy little daysailer and rowing boat that trades cabin comforts for uncluttered space, shallow-water reach, and genuine flotation security. Its lug rig and tiller-sheeted mainsheet make solo sailing natural, while the triple keel and beachable rudder suit the exploring sailor.
Pros
- Full keel with twin bilge keels leaves interior free of a centerboard trunk
- Foam-filled molded flotation compartments keep the boat afloat if swamped
- Rudder does not extend below keel line and stays in place when beached
- Inboard offset engine well allows rudder steering under outboard power
Cons
- Open boat with no cabin accommodation
- Limited to 2 to 3 hp outboard by the engine-well size
