Description
The 13-Foot Balance Jib Skiff is a compact, traditional-inspired design by renowned naval architect Reuel B. Parker, offered through Parker Marine Enterprises. While Parker is famous for larger sharpie sailboats and cruisers, this skiff appears to be a custom or shortened variant of his 16-Foot Eastern Shore Stick-up Skiff, adapted for enhanced balance and simplicity in rigging. It features a unique "balanced" jib configuration— a self-tending jib without a forestay, tensioned by its halyard to align the luff and leech simultaneously—paired with a leg-o'-mutton sprit-boom mainsail for easy handling. The design draws from New Jersey beach skiff traditions, emphasizing shoal-draft versatility for rowing, sailing, and light coastal use. Suitable as a tender, daysailer, or youth trainer, it's built for protected waters but includes watertight compartments for added safety. Plans are available from Parker Marine for moderate-to-high skill builders, with construction focusing on affordability and durability using modern plywood methods. User-built versions weigh around 200 lbs., making it highly portable and trailerable. It's out of production as a stock model but can be sourced via custom plans; used or homebuilt examples occasionally appear in enthusiast forums for $500–$1,500.
