Skipjack (boat)

The skipjack is sloop-rigged, with a sharply raked mast and extremely long boom (typically the same length as the deck of the boat).

This sail plan affords the power needed to pull the dredge, particularly in light winds, while at the same time minimizing the crew required to handle the boat.

In order to provide a stable platform when dredging, skipjacks have very low freeboard and a wide beam (averaging one third the length on deck).

The mast is hewn from a single log, with two stays on either side, without spreaders; it is stepped towards the bow of the boat, with a small cabin.

The boats use direct link Edson worm steering gear mounted immediately forward of the transom.

Most skipjacks were eventually modified with stern davits to hold a dinghy or pushboat to allow motorized travel as permitted by law.

As a result, few of the boats are operated under sail in commercial use; instead, a pushboat is used to move the skipjack, and little dredging is done except on the days that power is allowed.

[1] Joshua Slocum piloted a modified Skipjack,[2] a gaff rigged sloop named Spray in the first solo global circumnavigation.