The ultimate cruising dinghy? - Testing Mary's SCAMP

Although under twelve feet long, this small sailing dinghy can comfortably accommodate four people on a daysail and a couple for overnighting or extended cruising. The SCAMP was created by New Zealand boat designer John Welsford for Small Craft Advisor Magazine in the USA, whose editors, Craig Wagner and Josh Colvin, were looking for a "Mini Microcruiser".

SCAMP number 1 was launched in 2010. Since then hundreds of plywood SCAMPs have been built all around the world, and a GRP model is available in the USA. The boat has developed a cult following, and Welsford considers it possibly his best design. The name SCAMP is fully capitalised, as it is an acronym for Small Craft Advisor Magazine Project.

Plans and kits of the SCAMP can be purchased from Duckworks in the USA, while complete fibreglass dinghies are available from Gig Harbor Boat Works in Washington state. In Europe, plywood kits have recently started to be produced by Newyd Marine in France.

MUSIC
Lonely River - Roots and Recognition
I will be right there with you - Wendy Marcini
Footprints in the Sand - Roots and Recognition featuring Melanie Bell
- all from Epidemic Sound

ADDITIONAL PHOTOGRAPHY
Mary Dooley

INTERESTED IN DINGHY CRUISING?
Read my book, 'The Dinghy Cruising Companion'
And join the Dinghy Cruising Association:

AVEL DRO, my own boat, does not appear in this video.
Avel Dro is an Ilur designed by François Vivier, and built of clinker plywood by Les Charpentiers Reunis of Cancale in 1994. I bought her in France in 2003 to import her into the UK, and more recently returned her to France again. The design is based closely on the traditional inshore fishing boats of Brittany in the early years of the twentieth century – hence her simple boom-less lugsail rig and lack of a mainsheet horse, (sometimes controversial among my viewers). Although rare in Britain, Ilurs are relatively common in France. Modern Ilurs are slightly different from mine, as they have more built in buoyancy. The name Avel Dro is Breton, Avel = wind, Dro = to turn – so it means a whirlwind.
Length 4.44 m
Sail area 12.2 m²
Beam 1.70 m
Draught 0.25 / 0.86 m

[TheBloggeroftheBall]

Every man needs a Mary Dooley in his life. ❤

[rogberube]

A lovely lady in a lovely boat. Thanks for shaing, Roger & Mary.

[garyhardy]

Thankyou Mary and Roger, you did the SCAMP justice. Great to have someone who knows and loves it showing it off. I concur with Mary's estimation of the SCAMP's many virtues. Well done, thankyou both.

[neilhaslam]

Superb little boat! What a great test - appreciated the honesty of a wet and soggy pack-up - it’s not all sunny days and this showed some of the real world qualities of the little Scamp off well

[andypandy]

Great video very underrated little boat. A real step up from the Mirror. That little Mirror brought back so many beautiful memories sailing with my little daughter Sarah now a grown women with a child of her own the same age. Happy happy times learning to sail. At 70 I have decided again to feel the wind on my cheek and enjoy the magic of small boat sailing. What a glorious thing to do so good for the soul.

[TheOpenboater]

Very impressed by the Scamp. Even more impressed with Mary.

[woodthorpe]

GREAT VIDEO LOVE WHEN MARY IS WITH YOU SHE IS A CHARACTER!

[aseeker]

The Brick Trick is brilliantly simple, thank you for the demonstration...😍

[ianmackie]

That wee boatie has certainly put a big cheesey smile on Mary's face. Dear Mary, I hope you have lots of fun and adventures.

[stephenhenion]

And the Oscar goes to Roger Barnes!!! Best sailing videos in the Universe!! Ive been watching for you... thanks...

[s.w.ausm.]

I‘m absolutly charmed! By the sailoress, the boat and the landscape….. 🥰

[craiganderson]

I think it's really lovely and I feel special when I see Mary again, thanks Roger your a good friend to your sailing comrades. Stay salty 👍😎

[bilal]

This long awaited video on the SCAMP was perfect - cheers to you, Mary, and Mr. Welsford

[billbunting]

That is a gorgeous little boat. Maneuvers and gibes so easily.its actually a pleasure to watch. Like a ballet.

[michaelmcclafferty]

Thank you for a very entertaining video.
I love the quote “ She might look like a Playmobile boat ……”
What an interesting little boat and so practical!

[troytreeguy]

Mary, when I was young 12-15, I sailed a 13 foot dingy myself on miles of protected salt bay. I had to cross a shipping channel though and sometimes the oars weren’t enough being I didn’t have the lead! The trolling motor I could afford I think it was 80$ for the motor and 30$ for the battery ( late ninety’s) was the solution to safely darting across and to the safety of the shallows. Wonderful boat thank you and Roger both for the tour and collaboration.

[CoolBreeze]

Mary is looking happy, healthy, and fit. She has a great smile, I always enjoy seeing her on one of your videos, and this is a very good video.
I like the looks of the Scamp. The task of getting the mast out appears to be a bit dodgy, but then I don't know anything about it. Thanks for taking us along!

[sailingsummerbreeze]

What a lovely and enjoyable film. Go Mary! Love the Scamp ❤

[patrickhay]

Very impressed by the transition from sailing to rowing. The sail dropped, oars out and rudder blade raised within a few seconds. Very handy for harbour manoeuvres.

[MrBeracah]

Excellent review Roger and Mary, very enjoyable even though it was a wet day, thanks for sharing.