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I-20 (Sailing Scow)
Encyclopedia
The I-20 is a modernized version of the M-20. It is a 20 ft (6.1 m) sloop
rigged scow
with a spinnaker
. The boat was first built at Melges Boat Works, now Melges Performance Sailboats
. The boat has two bilgeboard
and two small rudders. After a couple years of experimentation, the class settled on its current rules in 2002. The new rules permitted a larger, asymmetrical spinnaker and a carbon fiber
rig
. It is currently made by Windward Boatworks. In 2005, Melges brought out a new Melges 17
to compete with the I-20.
Sloop
A sloop is a sail boat with a fore-and-aft rig and a single mast farther forward than the mast of a cutter....
rigged scow
Scow
A scow, in the original sense, is a flat-bottomed boat with a blunt bow, often used to haul bulk freight; cf. barge. The etymology of the word is from the Dutch schouwe, meaning such a boat.-Sailing scows:...
with a spinnaker
Spinnaker
A spinnaker is a special type of sail that is designed specifically for sailing off the wind from a reaching course to a downwind, i.e. with the wind 90°–180° off the bow. The spinnaker fills with wind and balloons out in front of the boat when it is deployed, called flying. It is constructed of...
. The boat was first built at Melges Boat Works, now Melges Performance Sailboats
Melges Performance Sailboats
Melges Performance Sailboats, is a United States company founded by Harry Melges, father of former Olympic sailor Buddy Melges. The company's headquarters is in Zenda, Wisconsin. The about six hundred existing boats are approximately evenly split between North America and Europe, with fleets in...
. The boat has two bilgeboard
Bilgeboard
A bilgeboard is a lifting foil used in a sailboat, which resembles a cross between a centerboard and a leeboard. Bilgeboards are mounted between the centerline of the boat and the sides, and are almost always asymmetric foils mounted at an angle to maximize lateral lift while minimizing drag...
and two small rudders. After a couple years of experimentation, the class settled on its current rules in 2002. The new rules permitted a larger, asymmetrical spinnaker and a carbon fiber
Carbon fiber
Carbon fiber, alternatively graphite fiber, carbon graphite or CF, is a material consisting of fibers about 5–10 μm in diameter and composed mostly of carbon atoms. The carbon atoms are bonded together in crystals that are more or less aligned parallel to the long axis of the fiber...
rig
Mast (sailing)
The mast of a sailing vessel is a tall, vertical, or near vertical, spar, or arrangement of spars, which supports the sails. Large ships have several masts, with the size and configuration depending on the style of ship...
. It is currently made by Windward Boatworks. In 2005, Melges brought out a new Melges 17
Melges 17
The Melges17 is a Bermuda rigged racing scow first launched in January 2004 by Melges Performance Sailboats. The boat's rig consists of a main with a large roach, a roller furling jib and an asymmetrical spinnaker.-Design:...
to compete with the I-20.