A SCOW
Specifications
Hull
| LOA | 38 ft |
| Beam | 8 ft |
| Draft | 4 ft/ 1 ft min |
| Displacement | 1,850 lb |
Rig & Sails
| Mainsail | 350 sq ft |
| Jib (100%) | 150 sq ft |
| Spinnaker | 1,200 sq ft |
Engine
| Commonly | Johnson |
About the A SCOW
The largest of the inland racing scows sailed in mid-western USA. Nominally a one-design class, today's 'A' Class Scow is the result of a long evolutionary path with origins that can be traced to a prototype that appeared in 1896. (Designed and built by John O. Johnson, original founder of Johnson Boat Works, a major builder of scows for many years). Main: 350 sq.ft. Jib: 150 sq.ft. Spinnaker: 1200 sq.ft.
The A Scow is a historic 38.0 ft fractional sloop designed by John O. Johnson and built by Melges Boat Works in 1901. With a displacement of 1850.0 lb and a beam of 8.0 ft, this vessel represents a unique era of American yacht design, though the exact number of hulls built remains unknown.
- Best for:
- This boat is best suited for collectors of historic yachts or enthusiasts interested in preserving early 20th-century sailing heritage rather than modern performance cruising.
- Bluewater capability:
- With a low displacement of 1850.0 lb and a capsize ratio of 2.61, the A Scow is not suitable for bluewater offshore passage making and is intended for protected coastal or inland waters.
- Comparables:
- Comparable vessels include other early 1900s American racing yachts and scows, which share similar fractional rig configurations and lightweight hull forms designed for specific racing rules of that era.
Performance
Images
Pricing
We don't have market pricing data for the A SCOW yet. If you own one, help other buyers — what did you pay for it? Reports build a community price estimate over time.
Estimated Cost of Ownership
Based on 38ft LOA. Actual costs vary by condition, usage, and local rates.
Known Issues & Pre-Purchase Inspection
We don't have enough data on the A SCOWyet to publish model-specific findings we'd stand behind — but here's a free general inspection checklist, built from our research into what actually goes wrong on boats of this kind.
Drawn from 7,029 documented issues across 2,391 models, ordered so the areas that most often turn up problems come first.
Own a A SCOW? Reports from owners are what turn this into a model-specific checklist — and they're the reason the boats above it have one.
Similar Sailboats
Which engine powers your A SCOW?
We haven't confirmed the engine for this model yet. If you own or know one, tell us — as owners report in, we build an accurate picture over time.
Brands sometimes mentioned for this model: Johnson — is it one of these?
Already know your engine? Search all engines → to find its exact parts.
Used sails that fit the A SCOW
Checking eBay for sails sized to this boat's rig…