Down through the centuries, Virginians developed or adapted a number of vessels to work the waters of the Chesapeake Bay. The log canoe and the skipjack are two of the famous ancestors of the Chesapeake Bay deadrise oyster boat. The deadrise, which is used to catch oysters, clams, crabs, fish, and eels, evolved during the late 1920's in response to the disappearance of the huge trees necessary for log canoes, and the advent of gasoline-powered engines. Many boats didn't handle well under power. The deadrise offered a design that accommodated gasoline engines.
Many Virginian fishermen build their own boats, often in their own back yards.
Deadrise boats are built without plans. As heir to Virginia's tradition of boatbuilding, every deadrise is unique. These vessels are more than boats. Each one is built with love and a special caring that evokes a bygone era . Deadrises must be strong enough to survive pounding waters and the Chesapeake's sudden storms, as well as to carry the bounty of the Bay.