Asa Thomson Skiff

Asa Thomson, a New Bedford boatbuilder, built this one in 1927, some 42 years after he set up his shop. Her double bottom is unique, allowing her to dry out without leaking when going back overboard. She has an exter­nal keel rather than the internal keelson found on many skiffs, which makes her easy to bail and clean out. This particu­lar one even has a fish or bait well under the center seat. This structure keeps the boat from needing the seat knees that Thomson put on his regular skiffs.  Asa called these his skiff-tenders. He kept them light, under 100 pounds, or about two-thirds the weight of a normal flatiron skiff of this size. The consider­able rocker keeps the transom out of the water even with three aboard. Her unusually high sides would keep out the Buzzards Bay chop.  The plans for the Asa Thomson skiff are a result of collaboration with WoodenBoat magazine.  WoodenBoat also carries these plans, as well as plans for a larger version called Yankee Tender.  For more information on this boat, see Dan Phalen's "Asa Thomson's Elegant Skiffs," WoodenBoat 29, July/August, 1979.  From 87 Boat Designs by Ben Fuller.

WSP.7.95