This spring, we had the delightful honor of building a new Scamp sailboat for Carol Brokschmidt and Sally Marks, who live in Arizona and have been dreaming of sailing and camp-cruising lesser known lakes of the desert SW. The landscape out there is so different from what we have here, we jumped at the chance to share their adventures. Follow along here on the blog as they learn the ropes, gain experience sailing the SCAMP, and launch into the small-boat sailing lifestyle aboard this capable 12-foot microcruiser!

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The Scamp Adventures of Carol and Sally: Part 2

By Carol Brokschmidt, M.D. and Sally Marks

A Busy Day at Port Townsend Marina

It was a busy day at the Port Townsend marina in Washington. The sun was shining and seagulls made a low, caw-caw-caw sound as Carol prepared to raise the mast of our new SCAMP. I wasn’t sure if the birds were cheering or mocking her efforts. I made a silent prayer as she hoisted the 12-pound, 16-foot mast into its designated position. Success!

The parking lot was nearly full as we embarked on the first part of our journey — rigging the boat. We chose to do this on land, occupying the parking space for nearly three hours. We anticipate future setups will be shorter. But this was our first voyage, and we erred on the side of caution.

Learning to Rig: From Practice to Reality

When we purchased our compact pleasure craft, the employees at Gig Harbor Boat Works reviewed the rigging operation with Carol. After that, she did it once on her own before we trailered the boat away. There is an excellent tutorial on the company’s website that was extremely helpful: SCAMP Rigging Tutorial.

But watching under supervision and doing it on your own are two different things!

During our prep at the harbor, fellow sailors stopped by to admire our little, snub-nosed boat. We also received numerous offers of assistance. While their overtures were well-intended, we declined. The whole point of purchasing the SCAMP was to sail in a vessel we could rig and crew ourselves. After all, you can’t always count on help when you’re out on the water.

Breaking Stereotypes: Two Petite Sailors, One Big Dream

That said, we understand we do not fit the stereotype of a captain and first mate. In addition to being female, we are both a hair shy of 5 feet 2 inches tall, as well as seasoned, card-carrying members of AARP. That’s a kind way of saying we are short, senior citizens.

But we knew we still had nautical choices.

Choosing the SCAMP: Why It Was the Right Boat for Us

Carol had been researching sailing options after the sale of her Catalina 22 nearly 15 years ago. Her interest was piqued when she spied a SCAMP at the Port Townsend Wooden Boat Festival. The craft fit her criteria for a small, safe, versatile vessel that provided more options than a sailing kayak, but without the drawbacks and costs of a bigger boat.

Another advantage to the 12-foot SCAMP is its low profile. This meant it could be stowed undetected behind our six-foot fence, or in the garage, without invoking the ire of our Home Owners Association. We also wanted something we could easily tow to Arizona lakes in autumn, winter, and spring, as well as accompany us during the summer months at our Washington home near the ocean.

Another benefit of a petite craft was that it was the perfect size for adventures together — or, if I was unavailable, something Carol could single-hand with ease.

Prepared for Adventure: Training and Experience

While we may not fit the stereotype of typical sailors, we are not total landlubbers. I had crewed with Carol before. Carol not only owned and sailed her sloop, but she also completed classes through ASA 106 of the American Sailing Association.

Her first sailing experience was in her 30s, when she took a Womanship training course in the British Virgin Islands. Through the years she has taken classes in San Diego, San Francisco, Bellingham (WA), and Nanaimo, British Columbia.

“There is always something to learn,” Carol said. “Sailing is fun, but humbling. You will never know everything there is to know, and that uncertainty adds a sense of excitement to the experience. But we still think it’s best to be as prepared as possible.”

Step-by-Step: Rigging and Readying the Boat

After stepping the mast, our pre-sailing prep included placing the sailing bundle (the sail, boom, and yard) in the proper direction. Next, we positioned the bundle above deck using the lazy jack cradle. From there we rigged the mainsheet, halyard, and downhaul.

After raising the sail, we made sure the reef lines weren’t catching or crossed. This took a couple of attempts. Once satisfied, we dropped the sail and rigged the rudder and tiller. Again, rather than read about our travails, we recommend the step-by-step rigging tutorial mentioned above.

Before we headed for the launch ramp, we secured fenders and dock lines. Next, we assembled the oars and placed them on either side of the boat. We also mounted navigation lights on the bow and stern. These lights are not included in the cost of the boat, but definitely worth the investment.

Since the craft is small, it’s best to stow food and other nonessentials out of the way before boarding to avoid tripping hazards.

Shakedown Sail: Calm Waters and Curious Visitors

Carol backed the boat and trailer into the water and I gently maneuvered the vessel off the trailer using the dock lines. This part of the process always reminds me of walking a dog. Fortunately, our “floating pup” slipped free effortlessly. This was considerably easier than our previous craft, a Catalina 22 with a wing keel, which — while small by some standards — was appreciably heavier.

Before we left the dock we dropped the centerboard, filled the ballast tank, and positioned the rudder. While the ballast tank was filling, I moved the boat to the end of the dock and Carol parked the truck and trailer.

Now we were ready for our shakedown sail. It was early afternoon. We had decided against purchasing a small motor (this may come later), so Carol rowed us out of the harbor. I took the tiller and noted our distance from the embankment, as well as watching for incoming boats. Once clear of the breakwater, Carol raised the sail.

The air was surprisingly still. We drifted lazily except for the occasional bobbing of wakes from passing motorboats. We were both pleased our nimble boat was seaworthy, handled easily, and was very responsive.

When the Wind Picked Up: Putting Skills to the Test

In the calm part of our adventure we spied a glittering school of fish and a curious seal. In the distance I watched the Washington State Ferry as it dutifully chugged between Port Townsend and Whidbey Island.

But soon Mother Nature reminded us what sailing is all about. The wind picked up and filled the sail. Since Carol is the more experienced mariner, she adjusted the mainsheet, and I followed her directions at the tiller.

We practiced tacking, jibing, and reefing in lovely breezes. I knew enough to watch for ripples that heralded incoming air currents but had trouble heading into the wind to stall the boat. I’ll improve with more practice.

Safety First: Gear, Preparation, and Lessons Learned

We did not throw caution to the sea. We made sure to bring a handheld GPS, wind indicator, VHF radio, and a depth meter. We cruised in winds between five and ten knots. Our little SCAMP was a true champ. I never felt unsafe, even when the boat heeled at our top speed of 4.5 knots with a reefed sail.

After four hours of sailing, Carol dropped the sails and rowed us back into the harbor. We disembarked without incident. Carol fetched the trailer and backed it into the water while I eased the SCAMP back onto its wheeled home.

Afterwards, we pulled the boat into the rinse station and spritzed off the salt water. De-rigging went faster than the initial setup. Soon we would be preparing for the next voyage — but not before reflecting on what we learned.

Reflections: What We Did Right (and What We’ll Do Differently Next Time)

My advice focuses on creature comforts. Bring food that can be easily consumed with one hand, so the other can stay on the tiller. If you’re prone to seasickness, take Bonine (or another remedy) the night before. Cushions are essential too — after hours of sailing, my tush needed more cush! Choose one that can slide as you move around.

During our maiden voyage, the temperature was sunny and cool, but even in mild conditions, you need to hydrate, wear sunscreen, and don a hat (one that won’t blow away).

Looking back, this is what we did right:

• We watched the rigging tutorial almost to the point of memorizing it.
• Paid attention to important details, ensuring setup was correct before heading out.
• Choose optimal weather and tide conditions for our maiden voyage.

Looking Ahead: What’s Next for the “Nauti Girls”

Our adventure is something we’re proud of. Sailing is enjoyable, but in spite of the saying “on a wing and a prayer” (which for years I misconstrued as “on a wind and a prayer”), it’s best to prepare thoroughly. That includes navigation rules, local bottom contours, and how to depower your boat.

So what’s next for us, the infamous “nauti girls”? We’ll be towing our SCAMP south to our ocean-less desert home to see how it handles the lakes of Arizona! Be on the lookout for our next sailing adventure.

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Want to learn more about this uniquely capable 12′ sailboat? Check out the details here.