Smoker craft boats were a style of boat popular in the early 20th century for recreational anglers, who would spend a day out fishing on these flat-bottomed, sailing vessels that were often little more than a steering platform and a cabin to shelter from the elements. Also, Smoker Craft vessels were built to navigate waterways with low draft and shallow waters. These vessels can be found in ports on the periphery of large cities and towns on the coast and further upstream on smaller rivers.
These vessels were often seen on canals and narrow rivers where other vessels could not pass through. These boats are also known for their relatively high draft capacity, given their size, which allowed them to transport larger amounts than smaller rowing vessels. Here are the features of smoker craft boats
Made of high-quality materials
The hull is usually made of wood or steel, although aluminum, fiberglass, and plastic are also used. They are typically not more than 25 feet long, but some builders make longer ones. The average length is about 18 feet. Various power sources were originally available, often including oars and sails; modern smokers almost exclusively use small outboard motors (often as little as two hp). Traditional rigs include:
- The sprit-rig junk sail plan.
- An in-mast mainsail.
- A gaff mainsail.
- Bermuda rig.
- Dhow rig.
- Trawler-like designs with large foresails like jibs and staysails (the latter may be “bark-rigged”).
- A variety of other rigs.
A few modern smokers have been built with multiple masts for cargo-carrying or to increase sail area.
Fitted with low cabins
Early smoker craft were usually fitted with a low cabin on deck, sometimes equipped with bunk beds above the main cabin, which housed the stove and sleeping areas for the crew. Many, however, have no enclosed wheelhouse, or some even don’t have any wheelhouse at all, instead of using a shelter just big enough to house the steering wheel and equipment such as bilge pumps and navigational instruments. In contrast, some larger ones do have wheelhouses but lack accommodation space below decks. Modern boats often have wheelhouses that provide a good view over the craft’s bow, especially those with a “bridge deck” house which is much higher up off the boat’s deck.
