Newfoundland Trap Skiff

[Cecil Nickerson]

The dory's a'buildin' and I'm looking ahead to the next one. My current favourite is Walt Simmons' Newfoundland trap skiff in that it's traditionally built, sailable, rowable and looks as pretty as hell. Anyone built one of these and have an opinion or two? I'm all ears…

Cecil

[landlocked sailor]

Beautiful boat. I stopped in at Walt's shop in October '01 and had a nice chat. He had an NTS abuilding; all planked up and ready to turn over. This one was in glue-lap ply, he'll bbuild them either way but prefers traditional laqpstrake. The NTS is definitely on my list. Rick

[Matt Middleton]

Is this the one from the Ducktrap folks? If so, it is one pretty boat. I also like their Lincolnville Salmon Wherry- I like the shape of the stern.
Matt

[cs]

That is one that is one my short list. Need to finish my other two first. I'm trying to decide between the NTS and something with a cabin. The looks of the NTS are fantastic. Can't decide whether I want another day sailor or something with a cabin to overnight in. But boy do I love that wineglass transom and lapstrape planking.

Chad

[mmd]

Ya know, I hate to be a curmudgeon (son of a gronicle?), but I lived in Newfoundland for several years and took a great deal of time to search out every trap skiff on the Avalon Penninsula that I could - I love 'em too - any I never saw a single contemporary trap skiff that was lapstrake planked. Maybe the "olden days" ones were, but for the past twenty-five years all the ones on the east coast were carvel planked. Chappelle's comments in "American Small Sailing Craft" confirms this observation. Personally, I think they look better carvel-planked.