Shelter Island Boat Works

Having built the Annapolis Wherry, I had my eye on a Melonseed Skiff. It was the right size, had a shallow draft for the “thin” waters around Shelter Island, a simple rig, and there was a lot of information on how to build one. Of course, what did I really know? With a Melonseed in mind I consulted Steve Corkery. I had known Steve for many years, he lives down the road, is connected to Coecles Harbor Marina where I kept my “big” boat, and is a legend in the wooden boat world. Here is a brief bio of Steve for those who might not know him. After I explained what I wanted to build and said Melonseed, he said “No. You want to build a Seaford Skiff.” Steve never minced words. I was intrigued, so, off I went to find plans, pictures, or pretty much anything about the boat. There was precious little until I got to Mystic Seaport. They had built one for their livery fleet. It was a Ketcham designed boat. Exactly what I was looking for.

HELEN PACKER – Mystic Seaport

In perusing Mystic Seaport’s plans archives I found drawings for the Ketchum-designed version. They had a number of variations by others, but Ketcham’s version had a mast further aft than most others, and her lines were perfect. Corkery was right. Steve always knew a beautiful shear line. In profile it mysteriously defied calculation – always perfect from any angle. This Ketcham Seaford Skiff had it. Unlike the Melonseed there was an air of New England in its lines. A bit stouter with a stem raked a bit higher, the shear a bit more pronounced, a bit more freeboard to show off the curves of the hull. I was convinced.

Seaford Skiff

Melonseed Skiff