Tashmoo 18: A Classic New England Skiff Returns

Photo Credit: Tashmoo

Some boats don't need to be reinvented. They just need someone willing to build them again. That's the idea behind the revived Tashmoo 18, a traditional New England skiff originally developed on Martha's Vineyard in the 1980s and now returning to production in Florida using its original molds.

The 18-foot, 4-inch boat traces its roots to builder Dan West, who discovered an aging wooden workboat in a Martha's Vineyard salt marsh and recognized the lines of a classic Jonesport lobster skiff. Decades later, David Reiter acquired the original molds and partnered with veteran boatbuilder Mark Castlow of Dragonfly Boatworks in Vero Beach to bring the design back. The new Tashmoo retains its distinctive profile, narrow 6-foot, 7-inch beam and shallow 8-inch draft, while incorporating modern construction, updated equipment and finishes tailored to individual owners.

With its clean lines, uncomplicated layout and unmistakable working-boat heritage, the Tashmoo 18 offers a refreshing contrast to today's increasingly elaborate center consoles. It's the kind of boat equally suited to exploring quiet New England harbors, fishing Florida's shallow backwaters or simply enjoying an afternoon on the water.

Check out the full details at Tashmoo Boatworks.