Description
The Melonseed Skiff is a classic, small, traditional sailing boat with roots in 19th-century American waterfowl hunting, particularly in the estuaries and coastal waters of New Jersey. Its name comes from its seed-like hull shape—narrow at the ends, fuller in the middle, and featuring a distinctive wineglass transom (a curved, elegant stern). Originally designed as a "gunning skiff" for duck hunters, it was built to be lightweight, portable, and stable in choppy waters, allowing hunters to paddle, pole, or sail quietly to approach birds. Howard I. Chapelle, a renowned naval architect and historian, documented its lines in his 1951 book American Small Sailing Craft, preserving it as a timeless design.
Today, the Melonseed has evolved into a beloved daysailer and recreational boat, prized for its simplicity, speed, and seaworthiness. It's not a racing machine but excels as a fun, low-maintenance vessel for solo or two-person outings, with easy trailering and rigging. Owners often describe it as "like a wooden Laser"—quick to launch and forgiving for beginners, yet capable in light or heavy winds.
