The Sea Bright

The Sea Bright is a derivation of the Jersey Skiff. It was developed on the Northern shore of New Jersey to be used for fishing, by being launched through the surf, sailed to the fishing grounds and returned through the surf.

The boat is slightly different from the Jersey Skiff by being one board less in freeboard and more rounded. Both boats serving a similar need have very similar lines. However the boat is characterized by a nearly straight stem, rounded sides, a narrow flat bottom (wider though than the Jersey Skiff) and a heart shaped transom. The boat was usually riged with either a lug mainsail or sprit sail and small jib with an unstayed mast. The early fishing versions used an oar as the rudder, more modern versions have a regular rudder & tiller.

This boat has nearly disappeared from the shores of New Jersey except as used by lifeguards. (rowing configuration only.) As the bluefish and sea bass that were the primary target fish, have been over fished and thus commercial fisherman need to go farther from shore and catch more fish to make the venture profitable. Thus the invention of the small gasoline and diesel boat motors relegated rowing and sailing working craft to recreational craft only.

External links

• Sea Bright Skiff article
• Making a wooden Sea Bright Skiff video
• "Sea Bright Skiff"

Other types of Sailing Dinghy and Skiff