TEST SCORPION

F irst, a history lesson. Scorpion No. 1 waslaunched at Porthpean SC in January1960, with a narrow hull designed to cutthrough Cornish surf and marine

plywood construction for professional or amateurbuilders. The boat was a quick-fire success, withScorpion No. 70 winning the first nationalchampionship at Worthing in the same year.

The 1960s and ‘70s were good decades for theclass, hitting a high with 160 boats at its 1974

national championship. As with most classicclasses, numbers dropped dramatically in the late1980s and early ‘90s. Seeking to rebuild theirclass, the association promoted the Scorpion for itslight hull weight (81kgs), tolerance of a wide rangeof crew weights and sparkly performance boostedby a very generous kite. A focus on regionaltraining and youth events helped build numbers tomore than 60 boats at every (week-long) nationalchampionship since 2000, plus an open circuit

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The Scorpion might be pushing 50, but the latestversions of this classic class have plenty to offer.Jeremy Evans sails a state-of-the-art edition with asting in its tail…

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which includes 14 dedicated Scorpion regattas thisseason and class starts at other events.

Recent developmentThe Scorpion has been steadily modified to keeppace with the times, treading a fine line regardingwhat is acceptable to class enthusiasts whileattracting new blood. Buoyancy has been changedand the hull modified within original plywoodtolerances to provide a flatter shape that planesmore easily. The rig retains its classic pinheadshape but has been maximised to the currentlimits of performance with a technical array ofcontrols, as fitted to the boat — a ‘Dave Wadechampionship replica’ — we sailed during this test.

An unusual feature of the Scorpion is that mostof the current fleet are wooden boats with GoslingDinghycraft, Paintcraft/JJ Boats and CPCBoatworks all building new Scorpions in wood toorder, from around £7,500 according tospecification. Glassfibre has played a muchsmaller role than in other reborn classes like theEnterprise, Fireball, Firefly or GP14, although ChrisTurner (national champion crew in 1992 and 1993)started to build foam sandwich boats atSpecialized Marine before merging with OvingtonBoats earlier this year.

The brand spanking new P&B Scorpion is nowbeing built by Ovington in super-light, super-stiff

epoxy sandwich construction under the directionof Chris Turner. For customers who want the bestavailable, Dave Wade fits out the boat at Pinnell &Bax to match his national championship-winningspecification in 2004. The optional ‘club spec’ hassimpler controls and less sophisticated foils, or‘custom spec’ is available to order with all boatstuned and calibrated to suit specific crew weights.

Hull and rigHaving spent time on most of the classic dinghyclasses — from Cadet to Flying Dutchman — theScorpion is one of the few that escaped my net. I’dnever sailed or looked closely at one, so DaveWade’s Scorpion was a surprise.

It appears beautifully built and fitted, as youwould expect from Ovi and P&B. Forget that thedesign is 46 years old. The new Scorpion is white,gleaming and angular, with a stylish drawn-outstern providing the Scorpion’s tail. It looks reallynarrow with a distinct ‘V’, setting it well apartfrom the flat bottoms that dominatecontemporary dinghy design. This is a hull shapewith character, that is also light. The Ovi hull is solight in the ends, to reduce dragging the stern andpitching, that they’ve put 7kg of lead correctorswhere it’s most effective, low down in the centre.

Scorpion class rules allow totally open cockpitlayouts and rig systems, with Dave Wade’s boat

Below There are no

rudder rules, so most

favour a conventional

lifting rudder, but options

include an all-carbon,

Milanes fixed foil.

Below middle The large

rig and oversized jib

mean that mast rake has

to be adjusted according

to conditions.

Below right The cockpit

features a lot of control

lines.

Right The new Scorpion

is stylish and angular. It

appears narrow with a

distinct ‘V’, which sets it

apart from modern flat-

bottomed designs.

TEST SCORPION

reflecting currents trends at the winning end of thefleet. The cockpit looks open and quite roomy,despite a load of controls! This is clearly a tweakers’boat, which at first sight appears complex. Daveexplained that it’s a sophisticated development ofthe classic pinhead rig, removing unwantedcompression so the rig acts as a self-supportingstructure that only bends to your will. Two issuesneed to be sorted. First, it’s a big rig if the wind isup. Second, the oversized jib (more like a genoa)has a large overlap which squeezes the slot as thebreeze kicks in when you’re sailing upwind.

The solution is to start raking the rig back assoon as the boom gets pulled off the centreline,using adjustable forestay and shrouds for absoluteprecision. P&B provide an easily followed tuningguide, which Dave used to win the nationals. Whenraking the rig, the centreboard must be raised andjib barber-haulers moved forward so that balanceis retained in the rudder with the jib leech not tooopen. The tuning guide gives a pretty good idea ofwhat and how much to pull in progressive windand sea conditions.

LaunchingThe Scorpion is a true twin-crew boat, with arecommended weight range that should suit anarchetypal husband/wife, parent/child or twolightish blokes. Start off by stepping the mast onthe foredeck — not difficult, but you do need fourhands — raising the jib and hoisting the mainsail.With marginal help from myself, Dave progressedfrom packed-on-trailer to ready-to-launch with nosweat in about 20 minutes. A modern Scorpionmay appear complex, but practice will clearlyovercome any problems which Dave claims is alsotrue afloat; ‘Once you’re correctly set up, it’s aneasy boat to sail!’ He certainly makes it look easy...

Before you start, this lightweight boat is alsoreally easy to wheel down a ramp and slip into thewater. The low transom provides a perfect step-infor the helm who would normally push down alittle centreboard and rudder before the crew hopsin over the side. However, there are no rudderrules for Scorpions, so while most favour aconventional lifting rudder, Dave prefers an all-carbon, Milanes fixed foil and tiller which isunbelievably light. It’s also deep, so instead ofgetting the crew into deep water, Dave gave animpressive demonstration of the almost forgottenart of rudderless sailing — steering with jib, mainand body movement — to get off the shore.

SailingThis is a boat that clicks straight into sailingupwind. It wants to point high, foot fast and isvery responsive, with the chined hull shapeallowing a gentle angle of heel rather than the‘must be flat’ attitude required by youngerdesigns. With quite a narrow hull and plenty ofupwind sail area, you clearly need to hike formaximum performance with ergonomics thatsuggest hiking shorts are a wise investment — butit’s still not as tough as a Laser! You might alsoimagine that a long and slim hull won’t turn soeasily, but with that big jib to pull it round tackingfeels fast and tactical — one good reason whyScorpions are favoured for inland racing, inaddition to their original surf-breaking role.

Offwind, the kite is a big symmetric sail — much

bigger than a GP14 and almost as big as a Fireball.With an easy planing, lightweight hull you start tofeel well powered in Force 3. We got little morewind during this test, but Dave advised theScorpion can become ‘a bit tippy’ in a blow, to theextent that some crews drop and hoist the kiteeach time they gybe. By contrast, we found gybingwith the kite easy and controlled in mellowconditions. If the boat does go over, it floats quitelow for flipping upright with the centreboard. Youcan expect water over your ankles in a singlebottom cockpit, most of which should disappearfairly rapidly through transom flaps and bailers.

The helm has a load of room at the back of theScorpion; the crew is a little more cramped, butthere’s still enough space for anyone halfway slim.For preference, Dave reckons the crew should bekept very busy minding the rig while the helmconcentrates on driving, with his championship boatset up so controls can be pulled by all four hands.Sail choice and design is unrestricted, but Dacron isstill mandatory for mainsail and jib after a recentclosely-fought class vote on allowing Kevlar. As fora carbon mast, Dave reckons it’s a non-starter interms of cost when the Proctor Cumulus orSuperspar M7 provides a very efficient rig.

The verdictYou pay a premium for an Ovi Scorpion becauseit’s light, taut and sensitive, providing animmediate result from each gust of wind. You canbuy similar-sized dinghies at little more than halfthe price, which is why they are heavy, floppy andconsume energy by comparison.

The Ovi Scorpion is an extremely refined, state-of-the-art version of a classic design. It has atotally different attraction from all the moremodern one-design racing dinghies which may be

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Above The large

symmetric spinnaker

means the Scorpion can

become quite challenging

in windy conditions, but

gybing proved well

behaved in a Force 3.

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great fun to sail, but are ‘out of a box’ and willalways stay the same. Scorpions provide a veryindividual sailing experience, always changing andgetting more refined with the class holding thebrakes on cheque book developments.

Owning and sailing a wooden boat may providean added attraction, but for minimummaintenance the Ovi Scorpion provides a topperforming solution. This was demonstrated at theScorpion inlands on Grafham Water in June thisyear, when the first two Ovi Scorpions helmed byDave Wade and Chris Turner raced in their maidenregatta. They finished 1-2, winning every race inconditions from 30 knots to light and shifty. n

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Above The helm has

plenty of room at the

back, although the crew

area is a little more

cramped.

LOA: 4.07mBEAM: 1.65mHULL WEIGHT: 95kgSAIL AREA: UPWIND 9.75sq m

SPINNAKER 7.4sq mPN: 1073GUIDE PRICE: £6,300*

LOA: 4.27mBEAM: 1.54mHULL WEIGHT: 133kgSAIL AREA: UPWIND 12.85sq m

SPINNAKER 8.4sq mPN: 1127GUIDE PRICE: £6,600**

BUILDER: Ovington Boats

SUPPLIER: Pinnell & Bax LtdHeathfield Way

Kings HeathNorthampton NN5 7QP

TEL: 01604 592808EMAIL: info@pinbax.comWEBSITE: www.pinbax.comCLASS ASSOCIATION: www.sailscorpion.co.uk

Ovington Scorpion specifications

DESIGN: Taprell Dorling in 1960LENGTH: 4.27mBEAM: 1.45mHULL WEIGHT: 81kgIDEAL CREW WEIGHT: 121-159kgSAIL AREA: MAIN 6.7sqm

JIB 3.25sq m SPINNAKER 11.14sq m

PN: 1056PRICE: (CHAMPIONSHIP SPEC) £8,411

COMPARISONS… Where does the Scorpion fit in? Here are some alternatives…

n GP14 Jack Holt classic designed in 1949.More stable and less feisty than aScorpion with considerably smallerkite. Regular entries of 60-plus atnationals and major events.

n LARKPopular traditional one-design basedon designer Mike Jackson’sexperience as a top helm in National12s and Merlin Rockets. Forty yearsyoung next year!

*Guide prices are approximate ** including sails

Thanks to Cobnor Activities centre (CAC) for providingfacilities for this test. CAC runs a full programme ofresidential and non-residential sailing courses and

activities in Chichester harbour. For more information visitwww.cobnor.com

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