A Light Outboard Skiff

John Harris designed this light but sturdy 15-footer. It's a "crab skiff," as they're known in these parts. We're calling it the "Peeler" after the local slang for soft-shell crabs.

The Peeler is intended for smaller outboards, 8hp to 15hp, and with clean lines it will be just the thing for crabbing, fishing, exploring, or just knocking around. The kit is nifty, with all kinds of slot-together refinements for quick building. The prototype went together lickety-split in Geoff Kerr's Two Daughters Boatworks shop. From plans, it's just 8 or 9 sheets of plywood and a roll of fiberglass.

No ship-date for kits and plans yet. We'll keep you apprised through the spring as we put Peeler #1 through sea trials, capsize-and-flooding trials, and of course lazy-Saturday-fishin' trials. Scroll down for construction photos and early trials.

Ready for finish paint in Geoff Kerr's shop.

Comfortable seating.

Interior, looking forward.

Traditional breasthook. Along with the spacered inwale, this detail is a little trickier to build, but people really seem to appreciate the looks.

Quarter knee.

Here are a few steps in installing a spacered inwale.

The Peeler has a heavier fiberglass layup than the typical CLC rowing or sailing boat, to handle rugged use. Note the wide keelson. There are also runners, not yet installed in this photo.

The doubled "sheer strake" or "wale" is another handsome feature, functioning to stiffen the rail and also help knock down spray.

It's a light boat, about 275 pounds. So far we've given it a go with a Mercury four-stroke long-shaft 8 horsepower. This was good for 13.5 knots (15.5mph) with one person and light gear aboard. However, the outboard needed trim adjustment and the might have been faster with more gear or a passenger aboard. Much more testing to come. We've purchased a 15hp which we intend to try soon. Some photos from the first day on the water, April 1st, 2012: