What is this skiff?

[John Lott]

Acquired this skiff yesterday in NE Wisconsin.

Construction is traditional wood with canvas.
Dimensions are 14'8" L x 38" wide
Cockpit measures 82" x 22"
No manufacturer's ID plate nor HIN plate.
Can anyone help me ID the manufacturer, or (if it is homemade from a kit or plans) the design name?

Or other provenance such as approximate age/year of build/location of build?
Thanks in advance!

 

[Carl]

At first glance i was thinking some sort of skulling boat but maybe not??
Pretty cool looking hull.
somebody here will have an answer!

 

[John Lott]

I think it is not set up for sculling. I was told that the rectangular structure immediately behind the cockpit is a hinged motor mount.

I think it is a marsh layout or open water layout.

I have found one other boat on the Internet like it, here: http://antiqueboatamerica.com/...920_Duck_Skiff_37053

The shape of the cockpit coaming is distinctive

 

[Carl]

Yep, Coaming is very distinctive.

 

[Steve Sanford]

Good morning, John~


Such double-enders were very common in the Upper Midwest (this coming from an Atlantic Tidewater gunner.....).


One famous builder was Dan Kidney & Son from Green Bay. They offered several models - and I down-loaded a catalog from a Wisconsin museum when I got one a few years back.






A very similar vessel is shown in this book - although the author was not certain of the builder:












Another view:






I'll dig around to see if I can find the Kidney catalog. Off the top of my head, though, I do not recall seeing a boat with such a high coaming. I will also scan a photo of one from The Hunter's Encyclopedia later today.


Mine needs minor work - mostly replacing the deck canvas and repairing the coaming. It waits in a long line of vessels for my attentions....






All the best,


SJS

 

[bob welsh]

one off boats were very common coming out of the Milwaukee area. That construction method is now known as stripper built and was very easy to build a one off boats this way. A wood and canvas boat requires a more substantial form and is built when a number of boats are to be built. The builder had some talent, shop built or factory? Kidney built strippers, as well as lapstrake skiffs and this boat looks similar to the Hunters Safety Canoe in their catalog. Quite similar, no oar locks similar combing construction and bracing , bow combing flare. Although floorboards are missing, the retaining cleats look to be there. Was that boat on marketplace? I thought I have seen it .

 

[Vince Pagliaroli]

That's a mighty fine Marshboat right there, in the Appleton, Wis. style. A waterfowl hunting machine of the first order for stealth marsh gunning.

The coaming is designed for shallow marshes & lakes while carrying a load of decoys, hunter, gear. and a full bag of waterfowl. Things can get ugly very fast on the shallow places it is designed for. The builder knew his stuff that is for certain.

Freeboard is a constant consideration with a full load, also with consideration for accumulation of rain & wet snow. Wet snow being the worst of the two. Rain can be dealt with using a large sponge and bailer. Wet snow ya gotta get moving ASAP.



my 2 cents

 

[Kim Ross]

Looks similar to the "Monitor Marsh Boat" (also called the "Green Bay boat" from WI that George Bird Grinnell described in American Duck Shooting

 

[greg setter]

Looks similar to the "Monitor Marsh Boat" (also called the "Green Bay boat" from WI that George Bird Grinnell described in American Duck Shooting

I have that book and haven't picked it up in several years, and this is a good reason to do it now. It's a good book.