The Sea Bright Skiff and Other Shore Boats

The rising demand for fish from New York City's growing population before the middle of the nineteenth century gave impetus to commercial fisheries in the metropolitan area. Fishing communities near Sea Bright, Monmouth Beach, Long Beach, New Jersey and other areas scurried to find faster and safer boats. Although boatbuilders each developed their own variations, the basic design survived. Ideally functional, the sea skiff was adapted for rum running and as a life saving boat, and by sportsmen for fishing, hunting, racing, and pleasure boating. Today, these boats are used up and down the eastern coastal regions from Main to Florida. Dr. Guthorn shows in illustrations and text, the local development, details of construction, and materials used in building them. Prominent builders are listed with their dates and their particular techniques.