Original Tashmoo Skiff Returns

I’m not ashamed to admit that I grew up in the ’80s. And a big part of what made those summer days so special was exploring Massachusetts’ charming harbors and islands on whatever boat I could find. That’s why I’m old enough to know just how great a Tashmoo skiff was back when they were built, in the ’80s and ’90s. And I’m really glad that the mighty Tashmoo is making a comeback with the launch of the new Tashmoo 18, because some boaters (like me) are looking for something with a little more authentic elegance than a typical center console.

The project is led by Tashmoo Boatworks, a Florida-based company founded by David Reiter, who explains: “Many modern fishing boats have become very technical and efficient, but they can feel a bit sterile. We believe the Tashmoo offers a balance between performance and a bit more personality.”

Potential buyers are likely looking for something that’s a little more… personal. Reiter adds: “It’s like choosing a vintage SUV over a new one. You’re not just buying practicality; you’re buying something with a little more character.”

Built with the support of Mark Castlow of Dragonfly Boatworks in Vero Beach, Florida—who has been building skiffs since 1979—the new generation of Tashmoo models preserves that working-boat heritage while benefiting from a modern construction process.

The original Tashmoo products were built with a very practical mindset, focused on durability, strength, and getting the job done right. Although the same philosophy guides Tashmoo’s approach today, it is implemented differently.

Although the original molds are still used in production (in keeping with Dan West’s original design), the manufacturing of the Tashmoo line has been successfully modernized through the implementation of advanced foam core technology. Constructed of durable, low-maintenance fiberglass, it offers the same structural integrity and sturdiness for which the original Tashmoo line was known, but with significant improvements. The Tashmoo 18 is lighter, more efficient, and offers better performance than its predecessors.

Regarding the Tashmoo 18’s reception in the industry so far, Reiter explains: “For us, it’s less about competing with other models, since the Tashmoo really carves out its own niche. It’s about offering something you don’t typically find in today’s market. The focus is on design, craftsmanship, proportions, and heritage. It’s a boat that parents look forward to passing down to their children, and so on. Each boat is built with a level of care and finish that’s difficult to replicate on a larger scale.”