Fred Scott and Jack Evans

Fred Scott (full name Frederick Scott, dates approximate active 1960s–1980s) was an American naval architect and sailboat designer renowned for his contributions to small, high-performance fiberglass dinghies during the 1970s recreational sailing boom. Working primarily with AMF Alcort (a subsidiary of AMF Corporation in Waterbury, Connecticut), Scott collaborated closely with Jack Evans to create affordable, one-design racers and daysailers that emphasized speed, simplicity, and family accessibility—targeting the growing market for trailerable boats. His designs, like the Force 5 and Sunbird, were mass-produced in thousands, blending racing thrill with beginner-friendly stability, and remain popular in club fleets today. Scott's ethos focused on innovative hull shapes (e.g., hard chines for planning) and full sail controls, influencing entry-level sailing classes amid competition from icons like the Laser.

Jack Evans (active 1960s–1980s, exact dates unavailable) was an American sailboat designer and engineer at AMF Alcort, celebrated for his collaborations with Fred Scott on high-performance fiberglass dinghies that fueled the 1970s sailing revolution. Specializing in rigs and sail-handling innovations, Evans complemented Scott's hull expertise, creating accessible one-design racers that prioritized speed, safety, and ease for club sailors and families. His work at AMF Alcort—acquired by AMF in 1969—helped produce over 200,000 small boats, including icons like the Sunfish, but Evans' true mark shines in the Force 5, a "Laser challenger" with advanced controls that became a bestseller. Post-Alcort mergers in the late 1980s, Evans stepped back from public design, but his legacy endures in thriving fleets and restorations, embodying the era's blend of thrill and simplicity.