Shelter Island Boat Works

The Seaford Skiff was developed in the 1870s to sail the shallow marshes of South Oyster Bay around Seaford, Long Island. Originally used as a gunning skiff for waterfowl, clamming, and fishing by local baymen, it was sailed in both summer and winter. Later evolutions adjusted the rig for recreational use. Narrasketuck Y.C. currently has 9 of these. 5 or 6 can be spotted on the line at most any regatta in the Spring or Fall.

Outfitted with an unstayed mast, sprit rig with boom, centerboard, tunnel skeg, and outboard rudder, the rounded hull was quite shallow with a wide flat keel. It could be easily rowed as well as poled or sculled. Somewhat heavily built, it had an oak stem, oak keel, transom, and ribs and was carvel planked in ½” cedar. With its flat bottom, it was easily beached, drawing only about 8” with the board up. Small side decks and a rather tall cockpit coaming kept the boat dry. The boats ranged in length from 12’ to 15’-6” with a width of 4’-2” to 4’-6” and carried about 65 sq. ft. of sail.

Helen Packer at Mystic Seaport

Vintage Seaford Skiff? Amityville. Not a Ketcham design, perhaps a Verity? Mast is stepped more forward and the woman sitting forward seems unencumbered by a centerboard trunk. A sign of a Verity. Date unknown.

South Oyster Bay – Seaford Skiff sailing grounds

Half Hull