The boats we use in coastal rowing are St Ayles Skiffs, made for a cox and 4 rowers. They have fixed seats, single oars and are built for rowing at sea. The skiffs are 22 feet long, 5 feet wide, they weigh over 150kg and are constructed from a clinker plywood kit.  

The boat design was originally commissioned by the Scottish Fisheries Museum in 2009 as a vessel for use in the Scottish Coastal Rowing Project. Inspired by the community involvement and tradition of Fife miners rowing regattas, the project looked to develop a boat that could engage communities in the same way. 

Over 250 boats have now been built worldwide, initially by communities around the Scottish coast but increasingly by groups elsewhere, including England, Northern Ireland, the Netherlands, the United States, Canada, Australia, South Africa, France and New Zealand. 

The skiffie rowing community has a true spirit of friendship and support across the clubs and throughout the world. 

Coastal rowing is also much more than enjoying getting out on the water; the skiffs are all entirely built by hand which requires a great deal of problem solving, skill and team work. Additionally once the skiffs have been finished, annual maintenance needs to be carried out as well as fine tuning and innovations around oars, rudders and foot plates.