| Boats of simple design have consistently turned | | | | powered by oar, sail or motor though today |
| up in archeological findings. The Indus civilization | | | | outboard motors are the most popular means of |
| demonstrates the use of boats to transport | | | | powering them. |
| goods by river. Those were without masts or sail, | | | | For the purposes of competition sailing, a skiff is |
| so would not have been suitable for sea travel. | | | | considered to be a high performing dinghy. Some |
| One, though, was discovered with a socket for a | | | | experts feel that this type of skiff is the hardest |
| mast and eyeholes for rigging, so giving evidence | | | | of all dinghies to sail because they have a narrow |
| of some sea travel in this era. Boats have always | | | | hull compared to the sail area which they can |
| been used for travel, even commuter travel. For | | | | carry. In particular this applied to the 12' skiff. |
| instance there is example of the gondolas of | | | | Australia has produced the 18' skiff. It is the |
| Venice, and the commuter or sightseeing routes | | | | fastest class of sailing skiff, considered by some |
| between and around the islands of Hong Kong. | | | | to be hard to sail, but once mastered, well worth |
| New York's City's Staten Island ferry to Lower | | | | the effort. You need to be very aware of your |
| Manhatten is another case in point. | | | | surroundings and to have very fast reflexes to |
| The word Skiff has a general meaning in that it | | | | handle the changes which can occur so suddenly |
| refers to a variety of small boats. In different | | | | while under sail, with this particular boat. |
| locations, it has a more specific meaning. American | | | | However, not all skiffs are built for sailing |
| usage tends to refer to a small boat for sea | | | | purposes. Some are built for the purpose of |
| fishing. Traditionally, as with almost all small boats, | | | | transport whether it be lake or other. They can |
| they were made out of wood. They can be a | | | | be also be used as guide boats. Some of these |
| small flat-bottomed open boat with a pointed bow | | | | are fitted with rod holders to switch their use to |
| and a flat stern. This type was favored by inland | | | | fishing if the mood should take the owner. To |
| fishermen. They have undergone various shape | | | | view some skiffs, both rigid and inflatable visit the |
| changes, depending on the circumstances of the | | | | website below. |
| time and the purpose for their use. They can be | | | | |