Image: Sharpie stern with dhingies 183

Description: A view of the stern of a sharpie layed up in front of the Sound School on South Water Street in the City Point neighborhood of New Haven, Connecticut, USA. This view shows a couple of the distinct features of the Sharpie design: the rounded stern (constructed with barrel staving between chine and carlin in the days of wooden boats) and the reversible rudder. The rudder in particular could be temporarily reversed to allow for the hauling of oyster dredge equipment up over the stern without fouling. The helm would feel touchy and skittish (as well as exert more torque back to the skipper) in reverse direction, hence it was not used in the reversed orientation all the time (the photograph shows the conventional rudder orientation). Another aspect of the sharpie rudder design is its vertical travel capability. When traversing a particularly shallow shoal the rudder shaft could be lifted, to allow control and an unusually shallow draft at the stern. The vertical travel might also help facilitate easier beaching when desired.
Usage Terms: Public domain