游艇设计 18-22尺

A Guide to Practical 18ft. to 22ft. Outboard Skiff Designs

Author: Thom Vetromile

In recent years, with the advent of 4-stroke and sophisticated 2 stroke outboard technology, the possibility of larger amateur built skiffs takes on new relevance. This lat est era of outboards actually have economy and reliability factors unavailable in the recent past -- specifically the affordable 25hp. through 70hp. units (compared to the super power outboards needed to drive same sized deep-V production glass boats). Today’s plywood soaked in epoxy with fiberglass over building techniques offer strong, lightweight hulls that have excellent longevity.

A thousand plus of the T.N. Simmons designed Sea-Skiffs have been built from 16’ to 22’ with the lions share going to Simmons himself. He and his son made a living in southeastern North Carolina on Myrtle Grove Sound building these excellent sea boats. Simmons started off building flat bottom skiffs for fisherman. As outboard horsepower increased in the early 50’s (25hp was a big deal then) he developed a hull with a shallow vee bottom, with a slight hook in the aft section, giving a softer ride at speed in a chop. This skiff became an instant success for its ability to ‘go outside’-off the North Carolina coast-to fish the Gulf Stream. The skiff had the reputation it could bring you back, especially when the weather turned for the worst.

Otis is a handsome 18’ plywood flat bottom skiff, again with a motor well and can be driven by a 25 of 30hp outboard. Dennis Dignan of Hadlock Boatworks Port Hadlock WA designed this skiff to be a yard or marina workboat. However, Otis would do just as well as a fishing/picnic boat.

Robert W. Stephans designed this nice 18 foot plywood utility launch. She has a very finely shaped forward vee bow section not usually found on plywood boats. The stern section has moderate deadrise to gain stability while trolling. The chine stretches further forward before turning up to the bow sections to gain load carrying ability. This skiff can handle a 25hp to 60hp outboard and carry upwards up 7 people or comparable cargo.

In 1973 Harry V Sucher published a book “Simplified Boatbuilding: The Flat Bottom Boat”. On page #301 is a rather simple skiff used in the Pacific Northwest to ocean troll for salmon, probably in the 40’s and 50’s. This skiff has some unusual features to achieve the purpose. Notice the forward motor well to house the outboard. This kept the fishing lines and the fish from tangling in the propeller. The low top sided stern with turned up bottom provided clearance to reel in the salmon and minimum wake while trolling. The steering shelter was most welcome to get in out of the rain, while the extended coamings on the bow kept the windshield dry while slogging throug h a head sea.