Scampi30 Tall Rig

Description

The Scampi 30 Tall Rig (also referred to as the "tall mast" or "twin spreader tall rig" variant in some markets) is an enhanced performance configuration of the classic Swedish Scampi 30 cruiser-racer, designed by Peter Norlin and built primarily during the 1970s–early 1980s. While the standard Scampi 30 used a conservative masthead sloop rig with a single set of unswept spreaders (often described as conservatively canvassed for balanced cruising/racing), the tall rig option—more common in certain production runs (e.g., later Mk III/IV models, Albin Marine versions, or the related Yamaha 30 tall rig equivalent)—featured a taller mast (adding roughly 2–3 feet in height), twin/double spreaders for better support, and increased sail area (typically +35–50 sq ft) to boost light-air performance, upwind speed, and overall power while maintaining the boat's excellent IOR Half Ton heritage. This "rating bandit" setup made it particularly competitive in variable wind conditions (e.g., Great Lakes or coastal fleets), improving the SA/D ratio to around 19–20 (vs. ~16–18 for standard) and often yielding better PHRF handicaps (~135–150 vs. 162–192 standard), though it could increase weather helm if not tuned properly. Production was limited for the tall rig (estimates suggest 30–50% of total ~1,000 Scampi hulls, with more Yamaha 30 variants adopting it), and it's prized today by vintage racers for its speed edge without sacrificing the boat's forgiving handling, solid fiberglass build, and family-friendly interior.