The Evolution of the Smith Island Crab Skiff and the Association.

"Capt. Lawse" Tyler designed and built about 150 inboard motor powered Smith Island Crab
Skiffs between the 1920s and 1930s.

This motorized way of reaching the underwater grass beds rapidly replaced the sailing skiffs
used for I 00 years by the Islanders, not only for soft crab harvesting, but for all of their everyday
activities.

Most skiffs were about 20-24 feet long with a narrow 4-5 foot beam. Many had fore-and-aft
bottom planking, making them a bit faster than the traditionally cross-planked skiffs.

Powered at the time with 5-10 hp, direct drive engines they seemed to spring out of the water and
soon became known locally as "speed boats."

All had a strong foredeck where the waterman stood, balancing with a long handled crabbing
dip-net, poling and drifting along, ready to catch his harvest of "peeler" and "soft" crabs.
At the end of the day they naturally raced each other home for bragging rights.

The speedy little boats were perfect for "bootlegging" moonshine during the prohibition years.
Soon speedboat racing regattas were organized in a number of towns around the Chesapeake
Bay.

By 1930 an annual racing regatta, with an ornate silver trophy, was held in Oxford.
During World War II, and in the years after, the regatta faded from memory. About 1995 Doug
Hanlcs found the trophy, and with his friend and boatwright, Richard "Dickie" White, issued a
challenge to the watermen of Crisfield.

In 1998 the first race of the modem era was held with four new skiffs competing.
The Smith Island Crab Skiff Association was created as a result of that challenge and renewed
interest and enthusiasm for this attractive speedy small craft.

Since then over a dozen skiffs have been built; some of wood, some using fiberglass; all from
severaJ recommended plans and with recommended air-cooled gas engines.

The Association holds a number of regattas each year and awards trophies in several categories.
The purpose of the Association is to keep this traditional and practical design alive by building,
racing, and exhibiting these skiffs throughout the region.