136 BOAT BUILDER'S HANDBOOK
Craft Print
Project No. 64
Its design is versatile
enough to permit the use
of inboards, outboards or
sails as power, but Sea
Skiff is first and foremost
a fisher.
Designed for the man who likes to fish, this sturdy
SEA SKIFF
By WILLIAM D. JACKSON
craft can be rowed, powered by an outboard or
by an inboard, or driven by the wind
Naval Architect
EA SKIFF is quickly built over forms for
S
construction of one or for several boats. It is
planked with waterproof plywood and will
retain its leakproof qualities even if left to dry
in the sun for long periods. An ingenious method
of framing makes for a sturdy boat and provides
a hull that will give many years of trouble-free
service.
The general design presents a sturdy skiff that
may be used on any waters anywhere. The boat
may be rowed, powered with air-cooled inboard
motors or outboard engines, or rigged for sailing.
As a sailer it is dry, light, and fast in a good
breeze.
Start construction by obtaining the materials
listed in the Materials List. Then saw the form
(Fig. 2) to shape and mount it on 2 x 4 legs at a
convenient working height. To construct the
mould frames, stem and transom (Figs. 3 and 4)
accurately, draw full-size paper patterns of these
parts, lay your material upon outlines, mark and
cut to shape, reassemble on the pattern and
fasten. The transom is cut from ¾-in. plywood
with a ¾ x 3-in. frame, fastened with #8x1½ fh
screws, inserted from the aft side of the transom.
Saw the mould frames from 1x6; fasten at chine
joints with 3/8-in. plywood gussets. If these
moulds are to be used several times, glue and
screwfasten the gussets, afterward attaching
cross pieces to prevent misalignment. The stem
is sawed to shape as shown in Fig. 3.
STATEMENT OF USES
USES: Seaworthy craft for use on any waters anywhere,
for boat liveries as well as for personal use.
TYPE: Skiff.
LENGTH: 13 ft. 9 in. to outside stem.
BEAM: 60 in.
SEATING CAPACITY: Five passengers.
POWER: Oars, outboard, air-cooled inboard, or sail.
Now mount the transom, mould frames and
stem on the form and hold in place by bracing.
With everything secured, spring a light batten
over the framework and mark correct beveling so
that plywood will lie evenly and fair at all points.
With all parts beveled, cut notches for clamps,
chines and keel in all parts. Spring the keel in
place and attach to transom, frames and stem
notches with two #10x2-in. fh screws at each
joint. Be careful not to attach any members to
the moulds, as the hull is later to be lifted clear
of the form and moulds when planked.
Now secure the chines. Fasten both chines
simultaneously to prevent wringing framework
out of shape. Use one #10x2-in.fh screw at
transom joints, bevel the ends to fit the stem and
fasten in the same way. If the chines have a
tendency to slip off the mould-frame notches,
hold temporarily with small angle irons screwed
to moulds and chines (see detail, Fig. 2). When
hull is planked, simply remove the screws and lift
the hull clear. Continue by attaching clamps in
 BOAT BUILDER'S HANDBOOK 137

25" 41" 41" 31½"

NOTCH FORM AND FRAME NOTCH

9½" 4¾"
38-40"
C H I N E AND CLAMP 1x4"
1x4" TO
HOLD
STEM
A N G L E IRON 2x4"
HOLDS MEMBERS #7x 3" RH.
DURING 4
FLOOR LINE CONSTRUCTION FRAME

similar fashion, fastening at transom and stem —and don't fasten plywood to moulds.
with one #10 x 2-in. fh, screw to each joint. Trim fore end of hull along stem and cover
Trim and fair the entire framework so the ply- exposed edges of plywood with an outer stem
wood will lie evenly at all points. Hull may be ½ x 1½-in., softened with hot water, bent and
covered with either full-length or 8-ft. length ply- screw-fastened in place.
wood. Using 8-ft. lengths, cover the sides first with Now remove the hull from the form and turn
a length of plywood clamped in place. Mark and it right side up. Seat risers are attached by
cut to shape. A butt strap ¾ x 4 in. fitted between springing to sides and securing with #8 x 1-in.
clamps and chines secures the butted joints of fh screws inserted from outside hull.
plywood on sides and bottom. Before fastening Fasten ribs in place next. Mark locations on
the plywood, coat chines, clamps, transom and keel and secure each rib with two #8xl½-in.
stem with Weldwood glue. Place plywood in fh screws. The center of each rib is drilled and
position and fasten with #8 x 1-in. fh.
screws spaced about 2 in. apart. 2" 23½" 23"
With both sides attached, trim
edges evenly. Install the skeg (if 1 x 6"
MOULD
you don't plan on using an inboard)
and short keel. The skeg is fitted 1 x 4"
closely and held temporarily with a PLYWOOD
1 x 3" 1 x 6" 18¼"
few screws. Later, when the hull is GUSSETT
turned over, the skeg is fastened TRANSOM NOTCH
15¾" AND F R A M E
with screws from the inside. PLYWOOD
Lay 8-ft. lengths of plywood in ¾"
1 x 3"
position on the bottom, marking and 1 x 6" 5"
cutting to shape. Before attaching 4"
plywood, coat all adjoining surfaces 16"
with Kuhls aviation glue. Lay cloth 19¾"
strips about 1-in. wide on glued 28 30"
area, recoat and lay plywood in posi-
tion, fastening with #8 x 1-in. fh. 1 x 4" 1 x 4"
screws spaced about 2-in. apart.
Cover remainder of bottom similarly MOULD MOULD
PLYWOOD
15¾" GUSSETT 17½"
CARRIAGE 2¼" 1 x 6" 1 x 6"
BOLTS x5"
I" ¼"
4
STEM -2" OAK 4" 4¼"
4"
1" 23"
½" 23½"
2" 4"
MOULDING
3¾" 4" PLYWOOD CLAMP¾x1¾"
4 4½"
SECTION SEAT ¾ x 8" (12 WIDTHS)
4"
7" 7" SEAT RISER
4 BOTTOM RIBS ¾ x 1¾"
CHINE
13½" ½ x 1¼" KEEL ¾X
3" x 4" 1¾"
24"
24" PLYWOOD
A
SKEG SEE DETAIL
 138 BOAT BUILDER'S HANDBOOK
TRANSOM KNEE PLYWOOD JOINTS

SHEER CLAMP
MOULDS

STERN SEAT MOULD SEAT RISER

CHINE RIBS SEAT
BREAST
HOOK
FLOORBOARDS MAST
STEP STEM
BED LOG
TRANSOM AND 9½"
FRAME 25½" GLUE-FERDICO RESIN SLUE

3"
5½" 11¾" REMOVE AFTER SHEATHING
PLYWOOD JOINTS
2¾"
AFT SEAT SUPPORT SEAT KNEE
RIB LOCATION
NOTE: IF INBOARD IS USED.
( REMAINING RIBS DO NOT USE SKEG
20" 16" O.C.)
LIGHT BATTEN
AFT SEAT SUPPORT SHEER CLAMP
MOULD SEAT RISER MOULD SEATS
STEM
MOULD
SEAT KNEE RIBS CHINE
FLOORBOARD BED CENTERBOARD KEELSON
LOG CASE

SKEG MAST STEP

OUTER KEEL
41" 41" 41" 41"

risers with #8 x l¾-in. fh

screws. Cut the breast hook
and transom knees to fit
and fasten with #10 x 2-in.
fh screws. Fasten mould-
ings in place with #8 x 1¾-
in. fh screws spaced about
8 in. apart. Screwfasten
floor boards of 3/8-in. ply-
wood or 5/8 x 6-in. boards.
Smooth hull and apply one
or two coats of sealer. Fol-
low with two coats each of
white primer and paint or
enamel. If you cover bot-
tom with fiber glass (ma-
terials and instructions for
application of this material
are available from Herter's
The completed framework.
Inc., Waseca, Minnesota),
complete f r e e d o m f r o m
worm damage is possible in
salt water and strength is
greatly increased in either
salt or fresh water.
For use of Sea Skiff as a
sailboat, see Fig. 7 for com-
plete details. An air-cooled
inboard, such as the 1¾
hp Reo Trollabout Inboard
Marine Engine (Williams
Marine Co.) or a 3.6 hp
Clinton engine, may be
mounted off center or on
Covering the frame with plywood. the center line of the boat.
With an off-center installa-
a galv. shingle nail inserted, clinched on the tion, the centerboard used in sailing can be left
inside. A little Weldwood glue under each rib intact and you can use sail also. You may prefer to
will ensure a rigid job. mount your engine on center, however, and fore-
Install seats as indicated, fastening them to the go sailing equipment. If you mount inboard on
 BOAT BUILDER'S HANDBOOK 139

FLEXIBLE BOOM ALUMINUM x 1"

WIRE SHEET
TRAVELER SHEAVE
SEAT IN MAST
RISER PLYW. SIDES
SLIDE BOLT TOP
FIT HERE ¾"
(1 x 12") STOCK
¼ x 2¼"
SCREW 1" #8
EYE THIMBLE R.H.
14"APPROX. 15" SCREWS
CUT TO FIT INSIDE SHEET TRAVELER
2"
CASE
2"
CENTERBOARD CASE 2"
NOTCH
30°
KEEL 3"
TAPER ROPE,
SERVE WITH
#18 - #20 WIRE
21½" AND WIPE WITH
6"
RUDDER SOLDER

½-¾" PLYW. 15"

20"
WATERPROOF
WITH 3 COATS
OF GAFF 10'-0"
CASTOGLAS

1¾" 30° 2" SQ. 2¾" 12"

¼" MANILA HALYARD

1¼" 1½"
14½"
1" #8 F.H.S.

8" MAST
PLYW. 9¼" ROACH
DAGGER TYPE ¾"
37¾" CENTERBOARD 2½"
BLOCK
¾"
TOPPING LIFT 1¼"
FULL WIDTH
OF WAY TO TOP
2" LUFF THEN TAPER TO
SQ. 46°
CENTER EFFORT 14'-6" SQ..ROUNDING
LEACH 85 SQ. FT. 1¾"
AFTER GLUE DRIES
17'-0"
6'-10"
¼ MANILA OR
WATERPROOF WITH COTTON
RINGS STRAP IRON JAWS
3 COATS OF CASTOGLAS BEND EDGE WISE
(SEE DETAIL
SAIL BELOW)

MAST 12'-0"

TILLER #2 MOLD FRAME LINE

(1 x 4" REQ)
BOOM
MAST

15"
SLIDE-GOOSENECK
2¼"
41"
BOOM AND GAFF
BLOCK ON EYE STRAP
FOOT 10'-9" SECTIONS
NYLON OR
¼"LINE MANILA BOOM 11' -0" MOULDING
AT
2" STA.#3 15" ¼" BLOCK
54"
4½"
4" NOTCH 12-14"
7½"
BELAY CLEAT SEAT
SKEG &
1¾" ¼" TURNBUCKLE
¾" SECTION PETITE STYLE
5" PLYW. SIDES OAK CORE
3½" SEAT RISER LINE
15"
25°
9½" CHINE LINE
C.L.R. C.E. SAILS
1¼"
¾"
LOCATE FROM MOULDS,
#3 #2 #1 STEM, AND TRANSOM
GAFF 1"- #8 FHS

MAST
1½"
x 1" 1"- #8 F.H.S.
ALUMINUM
x 1 x 13"
12"
STRAP IRON 3½"
1¼" SQ. INWALE ¾"
JAWS
MAST STEP ¼"
BEND BOLT
EDGE- 2 x 4" STOCK- FASTEN WITH BLOCK ¼"
WISE 2¼"- #10 F.H.S. CHAIN PLATE
 BOAT BUILDERS HANDBOOK 139

FLEXIBLE BOOM ALUMINUM x1"

WIRE SHEET
TRAVELER SHEAVE
SEAT IN MAST
RISER PLYW. SIDES
BOLT TOP
FIT HERE ¾" SLIDE
(1x12")
STOCK
¼ x 2¼"
SCREW 1" #8
EYE THIMBLE RH.
14"APPROX. 15" SCREWS
CUT TO FIT INSIDE SHEET TRAVELER
2"
CASE
2"
CENTERBOARD CASE 2"
NOTCH
30°
KEEL 3"
TAPER ROPE,
SERVE WITH
#18 - #20 WIRE
21½" AND WIPE WITH
6"
RUDDER, SOLDER

½ - ¾" PLYW. 15"

20"
WATERPROOF
WITH 3 COATS
OF GAFF 10'-0"
CASTOGLAS

1¾" 30° 2"SQ. 2¾" 12"

54" MANILA HALYARD

1¼" 1½"
14½"
1" #8 F.H.S.
MAST
PLYW. 8"
9¼" ROACH
DAGGER TYPE ¾"
37¾"
CENTERBOARD 2½"
BLOCK
¾"
TOPPING LIFT 154"
FULL WIDTH
OF WAY TO TOP
2" LUFF THEN TAPER TO
SQ.- 46°
CENTER EFFORT 14-6" SQ. ROUNDING
LEACH 85 SQ. FT. 1¾"
AFTER GLUE DRIES
17'-0"
6'-10"
% MANILA OR
WATERPROOF WITH COTTON
RINGS STRAP IRON JAWS
3 COATS OF CASTOGLAS BEND EDGE WISE
(SEE DETAIL
SAIL BELOW)

MAST 12'-0"

TILLER #2 MOLD FRAME LINE

(1 x 4" REQ)
BOOM
MAST

15"
SLIDE-GOOSENECK
254"
41"
BOOM AND GAFF
BLOCK ON EYE STRAP
FOOT 10'-9" SECTIONS

NYLON OR
¼" LINE MANILA BOOM 11'-0" MOULDING
AT
2" STA.#3 15" ¼" BLOCK
54"
4½"
4" NOTCH 12-14"
7½"
BELAY CLEAT SEAT
SKEG &
¾" SECTION 1¾"
TURNBUCKLE
54"PETITE STYLE
5" PLYW. SIDES OAK CORE

3½" SEAT RISER LINE

15"
25°,

9½" CHINE LINE

C.L.R.. C.E. SAILS

1¼"
¾"
LOCATE FROM MOULDS,
#3 #2 #1 STEM, AND TRANSOM
GAFF 1"- #8 FHS

MAST
1½"
x 1" 1"- #8 F.H.S.
ALUMINUM
x 1 x 13"
12"
STRAP IRON 3½" ¾"
JAWS 1¼" SQ. INWALE

MAST STEP
BEND
EDGE- 2 x 4" STOCK- FASTEN WITH BLOCK 54"BOLT
WISE 2¼"- #10 F.H.S. CHAIN PLATE
140 BOAT BUILDER'S HANDBOOK

MATERIALS LIST—SEA SKIFF

center, move the amid-
No. Size and Description Use ships seat forward. The
LUMBER REQUIRED Reo Trollabout comes in
2 ¾ x 1¾" x 14½' clamps
2 ¾ x 1¾" x 14½' seat risers
kit form (about $100 for
2 ¾ x 1¾" x 14' chines fresh water installations,
2 7/8 x 4" x 12' keelson
1 ¾ x 1½" x 8' outside keel
$125 for salt water),
2 ¾x 1¼" x 14½' moldings with complete instruc-
6 ½ x 1¼" x 4½' ribs
1 ¾ x 3" x 8' transom frame
tions for installing. For
1 1¼ x 10" x 3' breast hook and use of Sea Skiff with
transom knees
1 2 x 8" x 4' stem
outboards, cut out tran-
1 ½ x 1½" x 4' outside stem som as indicated in Fig.
skeg
3 ¾ x 8" x 12' seats
8, or attach an outboard
aft seat support motor bracket (such as
1 1 x 4" x 12' mold frames
1 1 x 6" x 12' mold frames
that made by the Hadley
1 2 x 10" x 12' form Mfg. Co., 2242 Smead
PLYWOOD REQUIRED Avenue, Toledo 6,
4 3/8 x 4 x 8' planking Ohio), to the transom.
1 ¾ x 24 x 48" transom (Note: Possessing the
waste from 3/8" plywood
or 5/8 x 6" boards floor boards a d v a n t a g e s of great
FASTENINGS
strength together with
4 gross 1" fh screws light weight, and more
6 dozen 1½" fh screws easily built than craft
3 dozen 1¾" fh screws
3 dozen #10 x 2" fh screws
that follow conventional rules of construction,
1 lb. 1¼" galv. shingle nails Sea Skiff, as mentioned earlier, is easily mass
2 5/16 x 5" carriage bolts
Kuhls aviation glue
produced. Moreover, a set of full-size paper pat-
1 lb. Weldwood resin glue terns—required for one or 100 Sea Skiffs—lend
paint as needed
themselves to rapid mass production.)

CLAMP ¾ x 1¾"
SECTION AT
#2 MOLD SEAT (THWARTS)
¾ x 7½"- 2 WIDTHS
MOLDING
SEAT RISER 1¼ x ¾"
BED LOGS x 2"
CUT FROM 2 x 4" ¾ x 1¾"
CHINE ¾x1¾" A
X-MARKS KEEL ¾ x 4
X=COAT KUHLS AERO
MARINE GLUE AND PLYWOOD CENTER BOARD CASE
PROVIDE CLOTH GASKETS BOLTS x 3" BRASS, BRONZE, OR "i"
1" #8 FH. SCREWS SPACE GALV. WASHERS UNDER 4 - BOLTS
SCREWS SO NO EACH SIDE
INTERFERENCE CUTOUT
BOTTOM 1 x 6" V
WITH BED LOG PLANKING
BOLTS - 2½" APART BEVEL PLYWOOD 2½ x ¾" ADDED
APPROX. KEEL x 4"
1" 1 x 4"
TRANSOM

CENTER BOARD CASE

11 BED LOGS x 2" FIR-HEMLOCK
(CUT 2" DEEP AND FIT TO KEEL-AT
THIS POINT WILL BE & DEEP)
16½"
1 x 6"

CONSTRUCTION DETAILS
INDENT-FULL PLASTIC WOOD CUT OUT TRANSOM
FOR 1-5 HP OUTBOARDS

RIBS BATTEN -OAR LOCK NOTE: PHANTOM OUTLINE

MOULDING
INDICATES FLOOR
SEAT KNEE BOARDS
BREAST HOOK
TRANSOM

STEM SEAT SUPPORT

KNEE
OUTSIDE STEM

SKEG
CLAMP

•OUTSIDE KEEL

SEAT RISER

CHINE
KEEL