Design

How it Goes Together

Length: 3.65 m (12 feet)
Beam (width): 1.17 m
Weight: 42 kg
Sail Area (upwind): 10.5 sqm

    (spinnaker): 9sqm

Materials

Construction is plywood and timber. Plywood thickness is 4 mm (3/16") except for the frames which is 9 mm (3/8").  Epoxy Glue to hold it together.

Paint can be brushed by hand or rolled. The style suits bright colors, clear sails and computer cut stick on names and graphics.

Clever Design Features

The design is optimised for fool proof construction. Some of the features that make building easier are:

1. The centreline of the deck runs dead straight from bow to stern. This means that the top surface of the building jig (it is built upside down) serves as the datum for the build. Each of the frames is provided with two levelling tabs which rest on the jig. These tabs make it very easy to install each frame accurately. Combined with a properly levelled jig, accurate assembly is easily and quickly achieved.

2. The angle at each of the chines is the same for the entire length of the hull. The chines and gunwales therefore have the same cross section for their entire length, i.e. no complicated shaping, twisting or steam bending.

3. Marking out. All of the above features mean that lofting (marking out) is relatively simple. Full sized patterns are available if required.

4. The hull is made from 4mm plywood sheathed in fiberglass. In the cockpit area, a second layer of 4mm plywood reinforces the bottom. Fiberglass is added to this providing sufficient strength to dispense with the floorboards used in the original Rainbow design. This provides a deeper and more comfortable cockpit.

Class Rules 

The Rainbow Scow remains true to the original intentions of its designer some 85 years ago. The modernised class rules ensure that the Rainbow is an affordable and flexible boat, ideal for new sailors to start their sailing, yet, with its spinnaker and trapeze, capable of exceptionally high performance in experienced hands. It's very simplicity ensures that "cheque book sailors" do not dominate competition, as has been experienced in some sailing classes. 

Like many simple boats, the Rainbow is easy to sail but challenging to sail really well. This is the secret of its enduring fascination.