Description
The Hird Island Electric Skiff is a compact 14 ft 6 in LOA (13 ft 6 in LWL) glued-lapstrake plywood skiff designed by renowned wooden boat designer Doug Hylan in the early 2000s for his own use exploring the tidal marshes around Hird Island, Georgia, where strong currents and winding creeks demand a quiet, efficient, shoal-draft vessel that prioritizes electric propulsion over speed. With a narrow 4 ft beam, lightweight 350–450 lb. displacement (depending on battery setup), flat bottom forward transitioning to V aft for stability, and a pivoting centerboard (9 in up / 2 ft 6 in down), it draws minimal water for beaching or navigating shallows while achieving hull speed of about 5 knots under a small 48V electric trolling motor (up to 2–3 hp equivalent) powered by deep-cycle batteries for 4–6 hours of silent runtime—ideal for stealthy wildlife viewing or sunset cruises without disturbing the peace. It also rows efficiently over two stations and offers a modest 58 sq ft lug or sprit sail on an unstayed mast for light-air daysailing, with a kick-up rudder and simple open cockpit seating three comfortably for protected waters. Beginner-friendly to build from full-size patterns (no lofting needed; plans from Hylan & Brown ~$150–$250), the skiff is trailerable, beachable, and has inspired dozens of amateur builds worldwide, proving a versatile, low-impact tender or solo explorer that blends traditional lines with modern eco-friendly simplicity.
