This design is particularly well proven because so many boats have been built from it over the years. Both fishermen and yachtsmen have found what they were after in these boats: robust carrying capacity, reasonably light weight, and reasonable initial cost. With its firm bilges and a full-length outer keel, people have found through experience that this is not a boat to scoot out from under them while stepping aboard. They've also found that she tows well and doesn't become a liability in a following sea.
9′6″ Skiff, Martha’s Tender