Plywood Skiffs

[El Mar]

Not "Downeast" I know but there are plenty of ply wood boats floating around our waters, alot used in the commercial fisheries.

A little introduction about my self. Some of you know that I am a high school shop teacher, started a boat building class 15 years ago and it has morphed into some interesting projects.

Most of what we build is in the traditional "Brockway" style. A local builder from our area, I'm sure most of you have heard of him.

I have probably built over 30 of these boats with my students over the years from 8 - 20 feet. The queen of the fleet is a 20' scow that we built and use for the local shellfish commission in our area.

Check out some pics. No particular order.

 

[El Mar]

 

[El Mar]

 

[El Mar]

 

[El Mar]

Edit

 

[El Mar]

…..

 

[El Mar]

Nice!

The plans for the skiffs are here.

http://www.soundschool.com/directory.html
#35
#35
#40
#41


The scow we just made up as we went along, no plans.


Is that Parker 2320 in the background yours??

 

[Bill]

Free Wooden Skiff

Bryan.. or anyone else into these old skiffs (or anyone that needs one).. here is a free skiff

Yard Boat « Wooden Boat Rescue Foundation

 

[El Mar]

Oh man, don't temp me. That is right in my back yard, perfect project for my class too.

Problem is, I got too many boats and projects as it is. LOL

 

[Bill]

Nice!

The plans for the skiffs are here.

Directory of Publications
#35
#35
#40
#41


The scow we just made up as we went along, no plans.


Is that Parker 2320 in the background yours??

just checkout your school.. wow do I wish I had the opportunity to go to that school.. not my parker in the background..those were the only pics that I could find of the boat..those were the listing photos

 

[El Mar]

Unfortunately, I do not work at the sound school. I do know the director there, he is the guy who put those plans together.

I work at a regular, comprehensive high school.

 

[Eastporter]

El Mar- Great project to complete with your students! Hats off to you! Thanks for posting the photos. I like the boat with the more traditional bow and sheer, but the other must have practical uses such as pushing a mooring barge or something. I bet the kids really love your class!

 

[El Mar]

The scow will hold more weight, and is more stable with a load.

 

[steveinak]

Back when i was fishing back east i drug for starfish every winter, i wore out a few boats doing it and the last one i had was this 20x8 plywood skiff, the guy that built it(RIP Richie)was a ironworker and he didn't scimp on fastners when he put it together, i fiberglassed the gunnel caps with 2 layups of mat and woven roving so it was a very stiff boat. The dredge beat the shit out of it but it held up well. I had a A frame mast on it with a 5hp briggs with a capstan head tucked under the foredeck to haul the dredge and unload the barrels of starfish at my dock with. I loved doing it all winter, nobody out there to bother me just make my tows, haul back, dump on deck, set back, do it again, i miss it!! Before anyone asks the starfish were used for biology classes in schools and also dried for sale to tourist trap shell shops.




I built that bowpicker behind the skiff from a 28' luhrs hull i bought from some vietcong guys, they had put a new 41 volvo diesel in it then never used it.

 

[El Mar]

Cool pics Steve!!

I always wondered where those gift shop starfish came from, now we know.

 

[Bill]

Bryan.. my buddy just downloaded the plans for the 15'8" brockway that he wants to build.. regarding the pieces of plywood for the hull.how do you set those up to shape them and how long do they need to set before they can be used? do you have any more pics of that boat being built?

 

[El Mar]

I don't bother with the 2x6's for the rails, I use 5/4 Mohaghany decking 6" wide, it is more flexible and looks a whole lot better.

You can see it on the side of the shellfish scow posted earlier.

 

[Bill]

Thanks I actually meant the plywood for the hull itself.. How do you get the plywood to bend?

 

[Bill]

Ahh we just read it more regarding the 8ft sections and the joint to connect them

 

[El Mar]

Two guys can bend it around the frame very easily, just be sure to go slow and do both sides at the same time.

Did you read the Spanish windlass part in the plans??