A skiff is a a shallow, flat-bottomed open boat with sharp bow and usually a square stern. Shown below are some of the skiffs displayed in the Foss Waterway Seaport Maritime Museum in Tacoma, Washington.
Foss 15’ Double-Ended Skiff (c. late 19th/early 20th century)
This boat was built by Andrew Foss, the designer of all early Foss boats. This is a flapstrake double-ended skiff. The flat boards lining the floor of the boat are what makes this boat a skiff rather than a dingy or a dory.
Foss Replica 14’ Skiff
Foss Replica 14’ Skiff
Foss Replica 14’ Skiff
Martha 10’ Mojean Flat Iron Skiff (c. early 1900s)
Flat-iron skiff are made by shaping the wood instead of being built with a frame. The shape of the is determined by the shaping. The Mojean family built this skiff.
Lazarus 14’ Mojean Flat Iron Skiff (c. early 1900s)
Mary 10’ Mojean Flat Iron Skiff (c. early 1900s)
14’ Mojean Flat Iron Skiff (early 1900s)
Flat iron skiffs are fairly common because they are simple to make. The designation “flat iron” comes from their shape: when viewed from above they looking like a clothing iron.
More museum exhibits
Museums 101: A collection of outboard motors (photo diary)
Naval Destroyer Museum: The bridge of the Turner Joy (photo diary)
Museums 101: A couple of deep diving vessels (photo diary)
Coffee Hour: Model Ships
Museums 101: Commercial Fishing (Photo Diary)
Museums 101: A Collection of Boats (Photo Diary)
Museums 101: A steam locomotive (photo diary)
Museums 101: World War I Ship Building (Photo Diary)