Description
The 20' Skipjack is a classic lapstrake (clinker-plank) plywood sailing dinghy with a small cabin, designed by Paul Fisher of Selway-Fisher Design (UK) as a modern interpretation of the historic North American skipjack workboat—a flat-bottomed, sharpie-inspired hull evolved for oystering on the Chesapeake Bay, featuring a wide beam for stability, V-shaped bottom with hard chine, and flared topsides for exceptional planning and load-carrying in shallow waters. Introduced in the early 2000s as a versatile dayboat or tender for family outings, fishing, or coastal cruising, it's gaff-rigged sloop (or optional yawl) with a balanced lug main and jib for easy handling by one or two people, offering 130 sq ft of sail area on a lightweight 850 lb. hull (excluding cabin) that tows easily and launches from a trailer, with a shallow draft of 8 in (board up) for beaching and 3 ft 6 in (board down) for upwind performance. Built primarily by amateur woodworkers from detailed plans (available in printed or PDF format for $34–$338 from duckworks.com or selway-fisher.com), it emphasizes glued-lapstrake construction using marine plywood and epoxy for strength and low maintenance, with the optional cuddy cabin providing shelter for gear or a nap while maintaining open cockpit space for 4–6 crew. Proven stable and forgiving—described as "stand-up stable" for confident handling in choppy conditions
