The Tolman Skiff is a boat design of

Dory A dory is a small, shallow-draft boat, about long. It is usually a lightweight boat with high sides, a flat bottom and sharp bows. It is easy to build because of its simple lines. For centuries, the dory has been used as a traditional fishin ...

heritage created by Renn Tolman of

Homer, Alaska Homer ( Dena'ina: ''Tuggeght'') is a city in Kenai Peninsula Borough in the U.S. state of Alaska. It is southwest of Anchorage. According to the 2020 Census, the population is 5,522, up from 5,003 in 2010. Long known as the " Halibut Fishing ...

. Tolman authored two books, initially, "A Skiff For All Seasons", in 1992 and a revised version "Tolman Alaskan Skiffs", in 2003. The books described advantages of the design and construction method

Stitch and glue Stitch and glue is a simple boat building method which uses plywood panels temporarily stitched together, typically with wire or zip-ties, and glued together permanently with epoxy resin. This type of construction can eliminate much of the need ...

using plywood, fiberglass cloth, and epoxy. Included in the books were drawings and designs for simple skiffs suitable for backyard, Do-it-yourself, construction. Tolman Skiffs were designed as a basic platform suitable for the builder to modify for specific purposes such as camping, cruising, fishing or pleasure. The Tolman skiff utilizes a design that planes readily with minimal power requirements, and has a large reserve capacity due to the hull shape, as further depression of the hull into the water increases buoyancy. Many of these boats have been built and used around the world, garnering a reputation for being economical, seaworthy, and durable. Renn Piloting Fithian Jumbo

In addition to the designs described in the book, precision cut kits and detailed, full sized plans are commercially available. Tolman skiffs are light compared to fiberglass or aluminum boats of similar size and strength. Renn Tolman developed three different design versions of the Tolman Skiff, ranging in size from 18 to 24 feet. Designs include: * Standard: Semi- Vee design constructed from marine plywood and epoxy/fiberglass cloth. * Widebody: Similar to the standard, but longer and wider, with 3" wide

chine A chine () is a steep-sided coastal gorge where a river flows to the sea through, typically, soft eroding cliffs of sandstone or clays. The word is still in use in central Southern England—notably in East Devon, Dorset, Hampshire and the Is ...

flats on each side of the bottom. * Jumbo: Longer and deeper than the Widebody, with 4" chine flats on each side of the bottom. Many builders modify the basic design of the boat to suit their needs. Although not documented in the original design, some builders are known to have stretched both the Widebody and Jumbo to at least 27 feet. Many builders have voyaged far in their Tolman Skiffs. Friedhelm Würfel of Hamburg, Germany documented his 2009 tour of the Gulf of Bothnia in his book. Renn Tolman passed on July 5, 2014. File:Schlechter Widebody.jpg, Schlechter Tolman Widebody File:Tolman jumbo skiff.jpg, Nelson Tolman Jumbo Skiff File:Fithian Built Tolman Jumbo Skiff Made It.jpg, Fithian Modified Tolman Jumbo File:Würfel Skiff Knipse.jpg, Würfel Widebody Skiff, Hamburg, Germany

References

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External links

Official Website

Professional Boatbuilder

FishyFish Tolman Builder Site
Boats