The Simmons Sea Skiff was first developed as a beach-launched, oar-powered fishing boat for coastal North Carolina, and it eventually evolved into an outboard-powered range of sizes, from 18’ to 22’. The 18-footer above was built by its owner, for family fishing excursions on and near Narragansett Bay.
Schuyler Horton
The Simmons Sea Skiff is the direct result of a North Carolina commercial fisherman’s need for a seaworthy skiff that would allow him to launch from the beach into the Atlantic surf, row through the waves, and fish with a seine before returning safely through the breakers. That first boat, built in 1946 by Tom Simmons, was a success, and eventually Simmons was asked to build larger, outboard-powered versions. Today, Simmons Sea Skiffs can be built in 18', 20', and 22' versions.
My introduction to the Simmons Sea Skiff was through a friend and neighbor, Schuyler Horton, who is fanatical about fishing. He goes everywhere with a concealed rod and tackle on the chance that a few spare minutes and a body of water come his way. Having fished every possible inch of coastline in Newport, Rhode Island, from shore, he was determined to get out on the water with his two young sons and introduce them to his passion for fishing. Without any prior boatbuilding experience, but armed with books and plans from The WoodenBoat Store, he built a Tom Hill–designed ultralight and then a Marc Pettingill Sweet Dream. Then he and his boys managed to chase down most of the bluefish that ventured into Newport Harbor. But he was still frustrated knowing that all of the fishermen in their Makos and Grady Whites fishing the rocks and reefs off Brenton Point had an advantage just beyond his reach. He needed to get out there. So he decided to build yet another, this time larger, boat.
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In the 70’s, I owned a Simmons. Same color; same layout; and two little boys. We fished, camped, and just messed around in the “big green boat”.
Good times…
We had one in the ’70s with a 40 hp Johnson and she was a beast.
I built an 18 footer about 15 years ago. Ending up with a 25hp motor.
I built an 18′ Simmons in the early ’90s. The directions that accompanied the plans from the Cape Fear Museum were detailed and all that I needed. The size difference between the 18′ and the 20′ is impressive. I think the 20′ is about double the volume and the weight.
I am restoring an 18 ft Simmons style boat. It has a fiberglass bottom with wood strakes. Almost ready for paint after repairing and rebuilding the cracked and damaged wood. Fiberglass over the butt splices and then the outside of the hull. In the water this fall!